Race Matters: Unequal Opportunities for School Readiness

Summary

Because of poverty, more children of color enter school without sufficient readiness for success. This 2006 fact sheet brings awareness to the racial inequity of school readiness, shows the consequences of unintended actions, and presents tools and strategies to mitigate the issues and allow equal opportunity to all. This brief is part of a comprehensive Race Matters toolkit. For more information, visit the Race Matters Institute. 

Table of Contents

• Why Equal Opportunity is Important
• Barriers to Equal Opportunity
• The Consequences of Unequal Opportunity
• Strategies to Promote Equal Opportunity

Key Takeaway

Equal opportunity for young children is important

Black and Hispanic families have disproportionately lower incomes and lower quality schools than white families.