Gifted and Talented System: A Gateway Towards Racial Division in Education • Writer: Elenore Cornelie • Designer: David Kernan • Photographer: Elizabeth Redmond
At Brookfield East and schools across the nation, there is a racial disparity in education particularly in AP classrooms. The gap is enforced through several factors, from social reasons to systematic issues. There are currently several efforts, both individually and through Brookfield East’s Equity Team to decrease the race gap in education.
A group of juniors at Brookfield East were discussing how they struggled to understand how anyone would graduate without an honors diploma (6 or more honors and AP classes). Jenny* (11), an African-American student sitting next to them, said, “I’m not graduating with honors. I’m only taking 2 APs,” said Jenny. “I’m not smart enough for that.” Somewhere along the path of Jenny’s education, something convinced her that higher-level courses were not for her, and that same issue is why a major racial gap persists in AP classrooms. According to the New York Times, “African-Americans, for example, represented just over 14.6 percent of the total high school graduating class last year, but made up less than 5 percent of the A.P. student population who earned a score of 3 or better on at least one exam.” There is not only a racial gap in simply gaining access to AP classrooms but a gap between who succeeds in them. Black students represent 8.8 percent of exam takers and 4.3 percent of exam takers who earned a 3 or higher on at least one exam. Hispanic/Latino students represent 25.5 percent of exam takers and 23.6 percent of exam takers who earned a 3 or higher on at
Brookfield East follows the national trend as black students represent 3.6% of the Brookfield East population and only 1% of all AP Exams. Hispanic/Latino students represent 5.7% of the Brookfield East population and 4% of all AP Exams. Brookfield East has attempted to decrease the racial gap in education. The Equity Team has been working towards a solution for months. One of the bigger issues is overcoming stereotypes that exist in education today. Jaden* is an Asian-American junior at Brookfield East. There are several stereotypes surrounding Asian-Americans regarding education. Among them include the “tiger mom” stereotype. “It’s kind of annoying because I feel like everyone thinks I only do certain activities or take certain classes because my parents make me, and it’s really not like that,” said Jaden.
“I choose the classes I want to take.”
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that belief is more a stereotype. The Equity Team, composed of Brookfield East staff and faculty, has recently been looking into racial disparities. Many students and administrators place pressure on the students to succeed. They believe it’s the students’ responsibility to enroll in advanced classes and succeed. However, the educational system plays a big role in enabling the students into those classes. The school needs to offer opportunities and inclusive classrooms for all students. “There’s a lot that the school and teachers can do to help make AP environments more inclusive for students. All students of all backgrounds,” said an Equity Team member.
“There’s a lot that the school and teachers can do to help make AP environments more inclusive for students.” Having taught AP classes for over 25 years, Mr. Patrick Coffey highlights the disparity but mentions it is beyond a racial gap, it is an economic gap. He notes many of his students come from higher socioeconomic statuses with stable family lives.
least one exam. *Disclaimer: Jaden, Jenny, and Jackie are all names used for anonymity due to the personal information revealed through these interviews.
It’s easy to assume the high rates of participation among Asian and White students are simply because of parental pressure, but
Brookfield East High School, 2019
In CollegeBoard’s AP Report to the Nation, it noted that only 27.5% of AP Exam takers qualify for free or reduced lunch compared to the 48.1% of high schoolers in the United States.
