Aug 25, 2017

Blacks and Hispanics still largely underrepresented at top colleges

Alex Brandon / AP

"Even With Affirmative Action, Blacks and Hispanics Are More Underrepresented at Top Colleges Than 35 Years Ago," from N.Y. Times Upshot:

  • "The share of black freshmen at elite schools is virtually unchanged since 1980. Black students are just 6 percent of freshmen but 15 percent of college-age Americans."
  • "More Hispanics are attending elite schools, but the increase has not kept up with the huge growth of young Hispanics in the United States."
  • A key point: "[P]ersistent underrepresentation often stems from equity issues that begin [before college]. Elementary and secondary schools with large numbers of black and Hispanic students are less likely to have experienced teachers, advanced courses, high-quality instructional materials and adequate facilities."
  • See charts for 100 schools, ranging from public flagship universities to the Ivy League.

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