Racial/Ethnic Factors

In 2002-2003, more than 18% of K-12 students in Minnesota schools identified themselves as students of color. This number is two times the percent that was recorded in 1989-1990 (MMEP, 2004). Even though students of color are an increasing proportion of the enrollment in Minnesota schools, they are still facing many challenges.

  • Students of color are far less likely to graduate from high school in four years and are far more likely to drop out of high school before getting a high school diploma (MMEP, 2004)
  • In Minnesota, for the Class of 2001, only 50% of students of color graduated on time and 25.7% of students of color dropped out. These statewide numbers mirror those in Minneapolis where 45.8% of the students of color in the Class of 2001 graduated in 4 years and 33% dropped out (Minnesota Department of Children, Families, & Learning, 2002).
  • Students of color are less likely to participate in college preparation activities, such as Advanced Placement and Post-Secondary Enrollment Options, than white students (MMEP, 2004).
  • Students of color are more likely to receive special education services, and many are learning English while attending school (MMEP, 2004).

The race/ethnicity of a student can affect not only his/her educational achievement, but it is also correlated with economic factors.

  • Poverty rates among children of color under the age of 18 are 3 to 4 times higher than white children of the same age (Ghere et al., 1999)
  • Students of color are more likely than white students to qualify for free/reduced lunch at school (MMEP, 2004).
  • Since students of color are more likely to fall into a lower economic bracket, their chances for success are significantly more limited than white students through this combination of factors. LearningWorks seeks to support students who, because of their ethnic/racial background, have fewer opportunities for success:
    • 79% of LearningWorks students identify as being people of color
      • 28% identify as African/African-American or Black
      • 21% identify as Asian/Asian-American/Pacific Islander
      • 17% identify as Multiracial
      • 14% identify as Chicano/Hispanic/Latino
      • 1% identify as American Indian/Native American
    • 35% of LearningWorks students speak a language other than English at home
    • 21% of LearningWorks students immigrated to the United States