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NewsFlash: October 19, 2006

More high schoolers enrolled in college prep

A higher share of high school students – especially minorities – have been enrolling in college preparatory or academic programs, with an overall increase from 33% to 51% between 1980 and 2002, according to a new Economic Policy Institute Snapshot.

EPI economist Joydeep Roy finds the increase of high school sophomores taking more challenging classes between 1980 and 2002 was very pronounced for minorities, who closed most of the gap with their white counterparts. Participation in college preparatory programs for black sophomores increased from 27% to 50%, while Hispanics increased 25% to 43%; Native Americans – 20% to 42%; Asians – 49% to 59%; and whites – 35% to 53%. The Snapshot also notes the steady increase in the percentage of high school graduates who take selected mathematics and science courses, and the number of credits (Carnegie units) they earn.