College Board Calls Educational Success Of Men Of Color A National Priority

Young men of color are falling farther and farther behind in educational achievement in this country.  The College Board, widely known as the body which administers the SATs nationally, is now calling for the educational success of young men of color to become a national priority.

According to a new study by the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center, currently, just 26 percent of African Americans, 24 percent of Native Americans and Pacific Islanders, and 18 percent of Hispanic Americans have at least an associate degree.  Instead, nearly half of young men of color age 15 to 24 who do graduate from high school will end up unemployed, incarcerated or dead.

Two studies, released by the College Board on Monday, also  show that young women are outperforming young men each racial and ethnic group with respect to the attainment of high school diplomas and postsecondary education.

A new initiative of the College Board in collaboration with the Harvard University’s W. E. B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research in Cambridge, MA seeks to encourage young men of color to strive for academic achievement.

Radio Boston takes a closer look at the study and asks local students and universities to weigh in.

Guests: