Education For All

AN UPDATE ON RACIAL EQUITY IN MARION COUNTY

Addressing Racial Disparities in Education

Racial disparities in education outcomes, also known as achievement gaps, are not new. We’ve known about the problem since it was first studied in the 1960s. Today, the gaps remain—and here in Marion County, where about 70% of Black and Hispanic students attend low-performing schools, they’re getting wider. 

It’s past time for a change. The 2022 Education for All report lays out specific, actionable steps to help ensure Marion County becomes a place where all children have an equal opportunity to receive a high-quality education—leading to a better quality of life for everyone in our community. 

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Act Now to Close the Gaps

The gaps in education outcomes for Black and Hispanic students are at crisis levels. We are in urgent need of new approaches to address these disparities.

21st Century Scholars in Indiana
69%
of black students eligible
17%
actually enrolled in program
English and math proficiency of Black and Hispanic students students in Marion County is
that of white and Asian students in grades 3-8.
Percentage of students attending low-performing Marion County schools
BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS
WHITE STUDENTS
2020 college enrollment rates for marion county students
white students
black students
hispanic students

See the

Data Come To Life

Our Community Data Snapshot allows you to dive directly into new data exploring student and teacher demographics, teacher retention, college-going and persistence rates, and degree completion, among other information.

Check out the Community Data Snapshot

Recommendations for closing Indiana’s education achievement gaps

Learn more about the education disparities impacting children and families in Marion County by reading the full 2022 Education for All report—and share our commitment to improving education outcomes in Indianapolis and the rest of the state.

Mandate participation in Indiana’s Paths to Quality rating system for early childhood providers.
Shift the state’s Paths to Quality system to focus on learning outcomes.
Differentiate state aid in the K-12 funding formula based on local wealth.
Increase K-12 funding for students from low-income households and for English language learner students.
Increase racial diversity of teachers and administrators and improve staff retention rates.
Increase state funding for teacher scholarship programs to mitigate teacher shortages and enhance diversity in the teacher workforce.
Enroll more Black and Hispanic students in advanced K-12 coursework.
Require FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion as a prerequisite for graduating from high school.
Automatically enroll eligible students in the 21st Century Scholars program.
Increase wraparound support provided by colleges to students from low-income households and to Black and Hispanic students.

Closing Achievement Gaps in Marion County

Watch a short video breaking down three key takeaways from the Education for All report and our associated recommendations for closing achievement gaps in Marion County schools.

Learn more about the education disparities impacting children and families in Marion County by reading the full 2022 Education for All report—and share our commitment to improving education outcomes in Central Indiana.

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