Public Agenda polled 800 black parents and 800 white parents about how their children fared in the nation’s public schools. The following are some of their responses regarding things that happened in their childrens’ classrooms.
Occurrence
White Parents
Black Parents
% of black parents saying this happening because of their child’s race*
Teacher expected too little from child on academic work like homework, class participation, and tests.
40%
33%
42%
Teacher or school suggested that child be tested for a learning disability or attention-deficit disorder.
32
29
27
Teacher blamed or punished child for bad behavior when it wasn’t really child’s fault.
32
36
36
Asked or seriously considered asking to change child’s class because child was getting treated badly.
30
30
43
Net percentage of respondents experiencing any of the above.
70%
66%
40%
*Base: Black parents who said this happened.
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