Racial gaps in education: How much do voters care?
Oct 05, 2017
4 minutes
Americans like to think of their public schools as promoters of social mobility and equality. But the way race, class, and power play out in local voting booths may be standing in the way.
Reelection of school board members tends to be tied to the achievement scores of white students – even in districts that are majority Hispanic, a new study shows. The scores of black and Hispanic students – and their gaps relative to whites, often have little to no bearing on such elections.
In addition, many school board members do not see closing racial gaps as important to their voters, report Patrick Flavin of Baylor University in
Public not informed on racial gapsLittle pressure to close the gapsLow turnout for electionsYou’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
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