The educational divide between blacks and whites is slowlyclosing, according to a recently released government report.
The National Center for Educational Statistics released itsannual "Status and Trends in Education of Blacks" study earlierthis month. The report found that blacks are not only enrolling, aswas the case 20 years ago, but are graduating from four-yearinstitutions at a higher rate, "making great strides toward closingthe gap in the level of education obtained between blacks and theirwhite counterparts."
In 1980, government statistics showed that blacks representedfewer than 9 percent of all students enrolled in colleges anduniversities. Nationally in 2002, blacks comprise more than 13percent of students enrolled in four-year institutions.
"These findings are significant because, although it may notseem that way, a 4 percent rise in just over 10 years marks atrend," said Olessa Straum, public affairs for the National Centerof Educational Statistics. "With each generation, more blacks aregoing to college and graduating."
The University of Memphis has also seen a steady increase in thenumber of black students enrolling and graduating in the last sevenyears. In 1996, that earliest year for which data was available,The U of M enrolled 5,118 black students and graduated 189.
For the spring 2003 semester, 5,973 black students were enrolledand 334 graduated with bachelors, masters or doctorate degrees.
Many experts say this trend can be attributed to a greatercultural understanding of the importance of higher education in theblack community.
"There has been a shift in the cultural stance towardslearning," said David Patterson, U of M Bornblum chair ofexcellence in Judaic studies. "It's not just that learning isbecoming valued more but a college education seems more and more tobe possible."
Patterson also said that black people today are in bettereconomic positions and sociopolitical positions than their previouscounterparts, which also influences their ability to finance acollege education.
Although more black people are completing their degrees, thestudy also found that they are the least likely to obtainemployment within their degree area after graduating. Black peoplewith bachelor's degrees are hired 47 percent less than their whitecounterparts.
The study also found it significant that the majority of blackstudents who did graduate from four-year institutions attendedHistorically Black Colleges and Universities. But it drew noconclusions as to why more blacks choose Historically BlackColleges and Universities over more mainstream institutions.
At The U of M, blacks students comprise approximately 32 percentof the student body, according to The U of M Office ofInstitutional Research. The University attributes the high numbersto its recruiting methods and the fact that the City of Memphis hasa black majority.
