NJ Education Report

The Annie E. Casey Foundation just  released a new report called “Race for Results,” which intends to  “bring a fresh perspective and new data analysis to the national conversation about how we make sure that all children realize their potential.” As part of the “Race for Results” analysis,  the Foundation will  publish an annual  index that presents a new collection of data disaggregated by racial and ethnic groups and by state to illustrate how far we are from positioning all kids for success in school and in life. “

Here’s one example from the report that gives a stunning example of  achievement gaps, in this case the percentage of children who score at or above proficiency in 4th grade reading:

National Average:                            34%
African American children:             17%
American Indian children:               22%
Asian-Pacific Islander children:      51%

The Star Ledger notes that achievement gaps, particularly between African American and Latino
Children, and white and Asian children, are country-wide. However,

New Jersey has shown a sharper difference still. The Garden State’s African Americans had bigger gaps between them and their white and Asian peers, with an additional 17 points lower than the state’s Asian population, and 13 points lower than the state’s white population. 

Latinos in New Jersey also show an even-more pronounced gap than the national averages, with an additional 29 points between them and Asians, and 25 points between them and whites, according to the group’s study. 

Patrick McCarthy, the Casey Foundation’s president, said the findings are “a call to action that requires serious and sustained attention from the private, nonprofit, philanthropic and government sectors to create equitable opportunities for children of color.”