“Right now, there exists an almost ironclad link between a child’s ZIP code and her chances of success. Our education system, traditionally thought of as the chief mechanism to address the opportunity gap, instead too often reflects and entrenches existing societal inequities.”
Graph from the Pell Institute, republished by the Hewlett Foundation at https://hewlett.org/inequity-is-the-problem-in-education/
The Ed Gap Map links income to high school achievement, but the graph above links it to college degree attainment. The graph shows that students from higher income families were more than eight times less likely to receive a bachelor's degree by age 24 than their higher-income peers.
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A report from the Harvard Gazette explains why: high schools in low-income areas simply are not preparing students to earn college degrees. We recognize education as the key to unlock the American dream, but for far too many students, that key is simply out of reach.
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Another report from the Hewlett Foundation shows that not only does this gap exist, but is growing. Quality education is becoming ever more unattainable at all levels for students form low-income families, and especially for urban students of color.
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The future of our country depends on a stable, strong, educated population. With a growing education gap, we are on track to effectively disenfranchise entire portions of our population. Thankfully, there is action that can be taken to address this deep issue.