Black, Hispanic and students in poverty behind peers in Columbia schools

“Columbia Public Schools students living at or near poverty levels and from minority families continue to lag behind their white peers in achievement as measured by the state assessment test. Called subgroups in the Annual Performance Report issued Friday for Columbia and all other districts, the data shows white students score above district averages in every academic area tested while blacks, Hispanics, English-language learners, students with a special education plan and students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals all are below those averages. While this year’s scores aren’t directly comparable to previous years — Missouri has used four different assessment tests over the past five years — Columbia schools have used several strategies to address the gap.”