Report Card on Comprehensive Equality: Racial Gaps in the Nation’s Youth Outcomes

This report details the performance gap between black and white youths in United States schools. In most cases, this gap is measured by the differences in standardized test scores between whites and blacks, with a particular emphasis on reading and math scores. This report, however, focuses on understanding the gap by examining outcomes of educational development, such as critical thinking, social skills and a work ethic, citizenship and community responsibility, physical health, emotional health, appreciation of the arts and literature, and preparation for skilled work. The authors estimate the black-white achievement gaps in each of these aspects of education and youth development, and illustrate the types of data gathering which should be undertaken for ongoing measurement of these gaps.