Here & Now

Fast Facts: Racial Achievement Gaps

Frederica Freyberg:

This week, continuing coverage on the candidates for governor who have recently appeared on “Here & Now.” Marisa Wojcik follows up on republican candidate for govenor Robert Meyer and his statements about racial achievement gaps.

Marisa Wojcik:

Wisconsin’s considerable racial achievement gaps in education are not new. Robert Meyer, the only republican challenger to Scott Walker in the governor’s race, says an external look at our education system is necessary in order to understand the problem.

Robert Meyer:

We have the worst achievement gaps in the United States. It’s because of the outcomes that we’re seeing in Madison and Milwaukee. And DPI organized an internal task force to look at practices that are working. But if we’re in last place in the United States, we should be having an external task force.

Marisa Wojcik:

It’s in reading that Wisconsin has the largest gap in eighth grade scores. 15% of white Wisconsin eighth graders have what’s measured as “below basic” reading scores, meaning they tested so poorly, they fell off the bottom of the scale. And “below basic” is where 52% of black students tested. According to 2017 data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, commonly referred to as the nation’s report card, many, including candidate Meyer, point to urban districts like Milwaukee public schools, as the driver of these disparities. Recent data from Stanford University has many looking to Chicago to understand how to improve. Data from the Stanford Center for Education Policy Analysis says that third graders in Chicago and Milwaukee had similarly low scores in reading and math. However, by eighth grade, the Chicago students had generally caught up, while Milwaukee students fell further behind. So far, experts haven’t been able to pinpoint where Chicago’s newfound success is coming from. For these and other fast facts, visit wpt.org.