Researchers from UCLA and the Times analyzed state education data on student demographics, course-taking, SAT scores and dropout rates for high schools, grouping them according to ethnic makeup to determine how the schools differed. Among the findings: The number of schools with high numbers of blacks and Latinos is rising; dropout rates are down overall; students of all ethnic groups, especially blacks, are taking college prep courses in increasing numbers.
Number of high schools by ehtnic composition.
Schools with more than 70% black and Latino students
'91-'92: 99
'96-'97: 137
Schools with 30%-70% black and Latino students
'91-'92: 289
'96-'97: 322
Schools with less than 30% black and Latino students
'91-'92: 407
'96-'97: 395
***
Dropout Rates
Weighted by school size (regular high schools only
Schools with 30%-70% black and Latino students
88-89: 6.15%
91-92: 3.92
92-93: 3.77
93-94: 3.33
94-95: 4.27
95-96: 3.61
96-97: 2.97
Schools with more than 70% black and Latino students
88-89: 10.74%
91-92: 8.34
92-93: 7.47
93-94: 5.52
94-95: 8.16
95-96: 7.61
96-97: 6.28
Schools with less than 30% black and Latino students
88-89: 2.49%
91-92: 1.37
92-93: 1.31
93-94: 1.25
94-95: 1.51
95-96: 1.43
96-97: 1.22
Total
88-89: 4.91%
91-92: 3.54
92-93: 3.36
93-94: 3.01
94-95: 3.87
95-96: 3.50
96-97: 2.93
***
Percent of high school graduates who completed college prep coursework, by ethnic group
'88-'89
White: 32.2%
Latino: 23.2%
Black: 31.1%
Asian: 48.6%
Other:19.7%
'96-'97
White: 42.5%
Latino: 25.1%
Black: 44.4%
Asian: 55.7%
Other:25.5%
Grade Inflation
Average SAT scores nationally began declining in 1972, but the state's verbal scores fell further and faster. The state's math score is now 3 points above the national average, but the verbal score remains 15 points below.
California grade point averages are rising for all students. . .
1987
A plus: 4%
A: 10%
A minus: 14%
B: 55%
C: 17%
1997
A plus: 7%
A: 14%
A minus: 17%
B: 49%
C: 13%
. . .while SAT average verbal and math scores are falling.
Verbal
*--*
Student grade average 1987 1997 A plus 618 608 A 571 555 A minus 544 528 B 489 473 C 443 426
*--*
Math
*--*
Student grade average 1987 1997 A plus 639 637 A 595 586 A minus 562 556 B 493 488 C 439 434
*--*
How California Compares
The National Assessment of Educational Progress samples students across the country in math, reading and other subjects in grades four, eight and 12. California's fourth-graders have lagged near the bottom in math and reading. In 1994, 59% scored "below basic," meaning they were unable to read fluently or understand even the literal meaning of what they were reading.
Here are how different groups of California fourth-graders ranked in reading:
All students: tied for 39th, with Louisiana, among 39 states administering the tests.
White students: 39th of 39 states
Black students: 29th of 32 states
Latino students: 39th of 39 states
Children of college graduates: 38th of 39 states
Children of high school graduates: 39th of 39 states
***
Here are how different groups of California eigth-graders ranked in math:
All students: 32nd, among 40 states
White students: tied for 23rd out of 40 states, with Oregon, Utah and Virginia
Black students: tied for 24th out of 31 states
Latino students: tied for 24th out of 35 states
Children of college graduates: 29th out of 40 states
Children of high school graduates: 34th out of 40 states
Sources: UCLA; College Board; National Center for Education Statistics; National Assessment of Educational Progress, 1992 and 1996 Mathematics Assessments
