Federal Data Shed Light on Education Disparities

New federal statistics shared late last month about thousands of schools and districts show that students across the country don’t have equal access to a rigorous education, experienced teachers, early education, and school counselors.

Using information amassed from about 72,000 schools in the 7,000 American districts each with more than 3,000 students, the U.S. Department of Education’s office of civil rights sought a picture of how equitable—or inequitable—schools are within a district and across states.

“These data are incredible and revelatory,” said Russlynn Ali, the department’s assistant secretary for civil rights. “They paint a portrait of a sad truth in American schools: Fundamental fairness hasn’t reached...