Black History Month
Black History Month

Graduation rates slightly down for DeKalb’s black students

Brian Moore (from left), Noa Walker and Za’Riyah Jones build a bridge out of spaghetti and marshmallows, part of an experiment for a class segment on types of bridges at Chapel Hill Elementary School in DeKalb County. In 2006, Georgia education officials touted the growing numbers of minority and disadvantaged students flowing into gifted classes. But an analysis by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows black students still lag significantly behind their white counterparts in gifted programs. And the gap is wide when it comes to poor students. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Brian Moore (from left), Noa Walker and Za’Riyah Jones build a bridge out of spaghetti and marshmallows, part of an experiment for a class segment on types of bridges at Chapel Hill Elementary School in DeKalb County. In 2006, Georgia education officials touted the growing numbers of minority and disadvantaged students flowing into gifted classes. But an analysis by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows black students still lag significantly behind their white counterparts in gifted programs. And the gap is wide when it comes to poor students. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM
By
Feb 28, 2017

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution decided during Black History Month to explore how African-American students in DeKalb County are performing academically.

The numbers showed a slight decline last school in their graduation rates, reflecting a drop districtwide. There were sharp increases on the math and reading components of recent SAT exams.

The ACT composite score was 18 for each of the last three years, according to the school district.

African-Americans make up about 65 percent of DeKalb’s student enrollment.

Below are some numbers from the school district and state data.

Graduation Rates:

2013-14   62.5 percent

2014-15   71.3 percent

2015-16   69.6 percent

SAT Mean Reading Scores:

2013-14   394

2014-15   427

2015-16   435

SAT Mean Math Scores:

2013-14   394

2014-15   417

2015-16   424

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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