Minorities Post Gains in Higher Ed., But Still Trail Whites

By Julie Blair

More minority students are earning high school diplomas, enrolling in higher education, and completing degrees than in years past, an annual study shows. But a gap remains in the rates at which African- Americans and Hispanics on the one hand, and non-Hispanic whites on the other, graduate from both high school and college.

The report, released by the American Council on Education last week, expresses optimism about the progress made by minority students, but argues that challenges to affirmative action and public skepticism about such policies "make it imperative" that colleges articulate the importance of racial and ethnic diversity on campus.

"Students of color are continuing to make gains in postsecondary education, and that is good news," said Stanley O. Ikenberry, the president of the Washington-based ACE. "This report shows that institutional efforts to increase enrollment and academic success of students of...