Impact of Changing Demographics

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

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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

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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

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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