In most states inequities in the Opportunity to Learn are best illustrated by the difference between the opportunities available to male Black and male White, non-Latino students. Arizona’s graduation rate for male Black students is 81%; for male White students 82%; a difference of 1%. For more information, see the Schott Foundation for Public Education's report, Given Half a Chance.
The Opportunity to Learn Campaigns’s federal policy recommendations focus needed attention on the specific solutions that ensure all students – particularly those from historically disadvantaged groups – are provided a fair and substantive opportunity to learn through access to high-quality learning opportunities. The central federal policy recommendation calls for developing and monitoring a set of research-based, resource equity standards.
While many organizations have worked effectively at the state level to support research and advocacy efforts to guarantee that all children have the resources they need for an equitable opportunity to learn, the Opportunity to Learn Campaign recognizes that state remedies have not been sufficient to address the deep inequities in educational opportunity found both within and across states. A larger federal role is needed to ensure that all students have a fair and substantive opportunity to learn.
