Columbia Public Schools are Failing Black Students

The Columbia Daily Tribune: News Story or Blog

The Board of Education dedicated at the meeting last night that the Columbia Public Schools were failing its black students. White students are significantly outperforming their black peers on MAP scores and other achievement statistics throughout the state. However, when comparing achievement statewide based on race, Columbia’s black students are doing well below the state average, while the Columbia’s white students are doing above (which NOT correlate with income level). This means the city suffers from an especially large racial achievement gap.

While it is good that these problems are not being ignored, it is extremely important that something is done about these unfortunate statistics. Every student deserves a proper education! In the face of several failed reforms, school choice remains a viable answer. School choice encourages parents to take an active role in their child’s education by empowering them with options. School choice would, more importantly, offer families outraged at this data the ability to make the proper changes for their children.