The Equity Line contains original analyses, commentary, and “on the ground” stories of students, parents, educators, and activists all over the nation striving to improve education. It chronicles our efforts, as well as those of partners and friends who are working toward the shared goal of closing gaps.
Fast Fact: The clock is ticking on student loans
by Ed TrustUnless Congress works out a deal, interest rates on federal student loans will double for more than 7 million students in July. Tell Washington to stand up for…
Fast Fact: Teacher-prep programs fall short
by Ed TrustStruggling students need teachers who can figure out how to help. Yet, only 3 percent of teacher-prep programs train educators to improve their practice using …
Fast Fact: Baltimore vs. absenteeism
by Ed TrustBaltimore’s aggressive, system-wide effort to improve student attendance has cut its chronic absenteeism rate in the middle grades by more than half since 2007…
Fast Fact: Student debt stunts economic growth
by Ed TrustAmong recent college graduates, 40 percent say they’ve delayed making major purchases (homes or cars) because of student debt, according to a recent survey by …
Fast Fact: Math teachers like common learning standards
by Ed TrustNew research* shows more than 9 in 10 math teachers support the Common Core math standards adopted by their states.*Based on a new study by Michigan State Univ…
Fast Fact: Tax breaks disproportionately benefit wealthy families
by Ed TrustCapping College Tax Benefits for Wealthy Families Could Fund Nearly 1 Million Pell GrantsTuition tax breaks increasingly benefit upper-income families. In fact…
Fast Fact: Urban school expert offers advice
by Ed Trust“Above all, no matter where in the social structure children are coming from, act as if their possibilities are boundless.” — Charles M. PaynePayne, a Universi…
Fast Fact: Schools Give Low-Income Students Short Shrift
by Sela LewisEducation is key to closing the nation’s economic divide. Yet while more and more low-income students are pursuing higher education, our four-year colleges gra…
Fast Fact: NCAA Champ’s Overall Grad Rates Won’t Win Trophies
by Ed TrustThe winningest institution in NCAA men’s basketball history, the University of Kentucky, scored 67 points Monday night en route to the 2012 national championsh…
Fast Fact: Education and worker training on the federal chopping block
by Ed TrustWhile cutting taxes for the rich, Rep. Paul Ryan’s new budget proposal would also slash $196 billion from education and worker training over the next 10 years.
Fast Fact: Federal agency’s estimate on student debt exceeds previous estimates.
by Ed TrustAs of late 2011, America’s outstanding student debt surpassed $1 trillion, according to the latest federal estimates.
Fast Fact: ACT Data Show Wide Readiness Gap Between the Haves and Have-Nots
by Ed TrustOnly 8% of the lowest income students taking the exam meet all four college-readiness benchmarks. In comparison, about 40% of those whose parents earn at least…
Fast Fact: Black middle schoolers held back disproportionately
by Ed TrustNo fair!!! African-Americans were 16 percent of our 6th to 8th grade public school students in the 2009-2010 school year, yet they accounted for 42 percent of …
Fast Fact: Great teachers make all the difference
by Ed TrustStudy of Los Angeles Unified shows impact of teacher qualityA study of the Los Angeles Unified School District shows that students who start second grade math …
Fast Fact: Teacher Perceptions Shape Student Outcomes
by Ed TrustA new study in Teachers College Record finds that African-American students get lower grades than they are capable of, whereas the opposite is true among white…
Fast Fact: Missed opportunities hurt African-American students
by Ed TrustGood News and Bad News about African-American Students Regarding AP ExamsThe Good News: Since 2001, the number of African-American high school graduates who to…
Fast Fact: College costs skyrocketing
by Ed TrustPresident Responds to Soaring Increase in College CostsLast week, President Barack Obama gave a speech on the issue of college affordability and value, noting …
Fast Fact: U.S. flunks test for disadvantaged students
by Ed TrustU.S. Fares Poorly in International ComparisonSchool systems outside the U.S. do a far better job of preparing disadvantaged students to excel in science. In an…
Fast Fact: Interest rates on Stafford loans headed up
by Ed TrustUnless Congress Acts, Stafford Loan Interest Rates Will Double this SummerUnless Congress acts, a planned increase in the interest rate for federal student loa…