Racial Disparity In M-STEP Results

education74-3
education74-3

A new report from the Michigan League for Public Policy shows a racial disparity in the state when it comes to the standardized test scores of students. The league’s Gilda Jacobs tells WSJM News the differences are stark in the latest M-STEP results.

“More than eight out of every ten African American students and two-thirds of Latinx students are not proficient in English-language arts, and that’s reading, by the end of third grade,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs says a student who is behind on reading in the third grade will likely face struggles with literacy well into adulthood. She says state lawmakers should look at diverting money into programs like child care, mental health, and job, housing, and literacy support.

“We do a lot of things in our state that maybe throw money into one part of education, but we really don’t take a holistic view of what you need to do to address poverty,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs says lawmakers should look at their budgets through a racial equity lens to consider how everyone is affected by their decisions. You can find the league report right here.