Survey of Black America by Ebony Magazine in 2011 - Education Results

We all are aware that African-Americans are complex and diverse as a race.  One thing that we collectively have in common is a desire for the next generation to "do better" than the last...and to many, education is the answer.

Last year, EBONY conducted a survey via the web of Black Americans across the country.  The respondents varied from 15% between the ages of 18-24 to 22% & 20% aged 35-44 & 45-54.  Of these respondents, 19% have attained a bachelor's, 14% with a graduate degree and 4% studied graduate-level courses...and a whopping 45% had "some college" or trade school. Income levels ranged from $25K - $150K or more, with most people falling between $25K and $55K (15%, 13%, and 10%) and only a mere 2% of Blacks earning six figures.

Now that the foundation of the study has been laid - let's dig into the respondents' educational preferences.

47% said that they prefer public schools for their children, while only 12% prefer private and 37% wish private was an option for us.  Is that surprising?  Not at all. 

54% of Blacks in the survey said they prefer charter schools, with only 16% stating that they don't and 30% ambivalent about it.  Wow, and many people claim that Blacks think they are the answer...interesting!

In the question, "What are your top three ways to improve classroom performance?" -- the largest percentage stated "Parental Involvement" was the key (48%). 44% mentioned that college exposure programs was important, while 36% and 28% cited "smaller classrooms" and "academic tracks" was the key, respectively.  Only 9% wanted to revert back to desegregation days!

The most crucial question of the survey was as follows:

"What level of priority should each of the following have in order to improve the educational outcomes for African-American boys?"

Here are the responses.  What do you think?