Inequities in Advanced Coursework

In this new brief, the Education Trust looks at ways Black and Latino students are locked out of advanced coursework opportunities, diagnoses the particular types of barriers our school systems put in their way, and offers actionable solutions for state, district, and school leaders.

In some instances, the problem is that Black and Latino students attend a school without any advanced courses; in others, they attend a school that enrolls too few students in advanced coursework overall, or one with inequitable course assignment, meaning Black and Latino students in particular are being denied access to courses. Also, within a particular state, the problems are often different for Black students than Latino students.

In all cases, unearthing these barriers to opportunity will help state leaders pursue targeted solutions that will actually move the needle for both groups of students.