The smallest achievement and graduation rate gaps within America’s 12 most progressive school districts are found in Detroit. But this is nothing to be proud of in the Motor City. In fact, Detroit has the lowest overall math and reading proficiency rates among the 24 urban school districts analyzed in The Secret Shame: How America’s Most Progressive Cities Betray their Commitment to Educational Opportunity for All. Tragically, only 7% of Detroit public school students are proficient in math and only 14% are proficient in reading.
These abysmal learning proficiency rates are similar across all three racial groups in Detroit, generating small racial gaps that, in some cases, like the Latino-white math and reading gaps and the black-white high school graduation gap, actually favor children of color. It’s beyond time for Detroit to live up to its progressive values. This community can demand action and do right by its children.
Average Math and Reading Achievement Gaps:
Detroit vs. Progressive Cities vs. Conservative Cities
Take Action
It’s time to stand up and make sure our leaders work with the community to create a path to success for all students. Commit yourself to demanding educational justice from the leaders in Detroit and pledge to demand a plan.
Start a Movement
Are you ready to use your voice to demand a better education and a brighter future for every child? If so, we want to hear from you. Email Tanesha Peeples to learn more about how you can unite and move your community as an education activist.
Detroit Updates
Taking Action in Progressive Cities
Select your city to see…
San Francisco
In SAN FRANCISCO, 70% of white students are proficient in math compared to 12% of black students, a 58-point gap. MOREWashington, D.C.
In WASHINGTON, D.C., 80% of white students are proficient in math as opposed to 18% of black students, a 62-point gap. MOREDetroit
Only 7% of DETROIT public school students are proficient in math and only 14% are proficient in reading. MOREMinneapolis
In MINNEAPOLIS, the Latino-white high school graduation rate gap is 30 percentage points. MOREChicago
Both the reading and math proficiency gaps between black and white students in CHICAGO is 36 points. MOREBaltimore
The reading proficiency gap between Latino and white students in BALTIMORE is 25 points. MORENew York City
The reading proficiency gap between black and white students in NEW YORK is 33 points. MORE