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Top School Officials Define Achievement Disparity as a Racial Gap

San Diego school kids may have hit a wall this year when it comes to making gains on state standardized tests. The California Department of Education released test scores for school districts around t

Top School Officials Define Achievement Disparity as a Racial Gap

San Diego school kids may have hit a wall this year when it comes to making gains on state standardized tests. The California Department of Education released test scores for school districts around the state today. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

In San Diego Unified , the percentage of students who are proficient or advanced in English increased by just 1 percentage point from last year.

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About 45 percent of students are now proficient, but over half are not. School officials admit they would of liked to see more progress, but note students have made steady gains over the past five years.

When it comes to math, students didn't make any progress from last year. Only 39 percent of students scored at a proficient or advanced level.

Blacks and Latinos have made steady gains over the past few years, but they still trail white and Asian students. Top education officials say race, not economic factors, has the biggest influence on student performance. They're now calling it a racial achievement gap.

Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.