This report provides educators and policymakers with information they can use to celebrate their successes, understand their unique challenges, and set meaningful goals to increase opportunity for all students. It is important to note that while AP® Exams are valid measures of students' content mastery of college-level studies in specific academic…

This study examined factors that impact African American students' participation in honors level courses and gifted programs. It also explored common trends that exist with students in honors level courses. From the findings, it is hoped that this study can contribute to an increase in the representation of African American students in gifted…

This paper presents findings of an assessment of the effect of recent educational reforms on low achieving and minority students in South Carolina. Despite criticism that the recent reforms would be harmful to these students because of higher standards and testing programs, it is reported that the achievement of black students and low-achieving…

Uses a case study of Charleston, South Carolina, to analyze the new, more rational, legally defensible, durable forms of desegregation and discrimination that replaced caste arrangements in public education, focusing on the development and implications of high stakes tests for both teachers and students. (SM)

Provides an exploratory assessment of financial support levels in districts with different proportions of Black children in seven southern states. The range of support varied considerably among the states. (IRT)

In this article, the author discusses the 50th Anniversary Commission of the "Brown v. Board of Education" that draws both praise and criticism from nationally prominent figures in education, civil rights, and government--including its own commissioners. As the federal commission commemorates the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme…

The study examined state policy influences on minority participation at higher education institutions with particular attention to South Carolina. Evidence for the study was derived from institutional survey data (142 institutions in 10 states); documents; on-site visits (South Carolina only); observations of interactions and operational…

Included in this edition of the "In-the-Know" Access & Equity Newsletter are: (1) State Losing Black Instructors (Gina Smith); (2) Time to Join Together to Seek "Economic Rights" (Darla Moore); and (3) "Advancing Diversity in Higher Education--Diversity Digest" (Mark Giles, Ed.), which is a reprint of an article…

During 2001, rural people from across South Carolina met to discuss how their schools are faring in the new environment of increased accountability and testing. This report identifies six foundations that are essential for building stronger rural schools. Eliminating poverty and improving the health and overall well-being of rural residents could…

The purpose of this study is to identify and document processes that are associated with effective desegregation in six school districts enumerated below; to examine the interrelationships of these processes; and to identify commonalities among the six districts which could provide guidelines for models of effective school desegregation. The major…

South Carolina's State plan for achieving equity and equal opportunity in public colleges and universities, beginning July 1, 1986, is presented. The purposes of the plan are to provide policies, goals, and strategies for continuing efforts to eliminate racial discrimination in the State's public higher education system, and to provide estimates…

The Access and Equity Program vision is to achieve educational equity for all students and faculty in higher education. Success in college should not be affected by a student's race. Minority enrollment should be at least proportional to the minority population in South Carolina and minority graduation rates should be comparable to the graduation…