Cal State lumps minority groups into one category. Here’s why that’s a problem
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Hey, hey! It’s Lasherica, the engagement reporter in the Ed Lab.
I know that some people shy away from things centered around data — wait, don’t leave the newsletter.
But there’s a Cal Matters story I read this past week that focuses on numbers, and I think it’s worth the read, even if you’re not a fan of data.
Like high schools and other colleges, California State University is struggling to graduate its Black students. It’s an achievement gap that’s existed for years.
Cal Matters reporter Mikhail Zinshteyn writes that Cal State’s Black students are falling behind other groups — and poor graduation data obscures the crisis.
But what does that actually mean?
Zinshteyn reports that Cal State data is over-aggregated. Black students aren’t in a category of their own, according to that data, so it’s challenging to make a true comparison between Black students and their white peers. Instead, Black, Latino and Native American students are grouped together as “underrepresented minority students,” with Latino students making up 91% of that group. When combined like that, the data is a reflection of Latino students, not the smaller percentage of Black or Native American students.
If the data were broken down by each demographic, Zinshteyn found, the data would show that the graduation gap between Black and white students has widened.
And that’s not the only concerning thing about the data. The Black student population at Cal State, both system-wide and by school site, is so low that the small percentage graduating of the small percentage attending is yet another indicator of the lack of Black graduates.
As the article puts it: “The deeper inequities faced by Black students remain hidden.”
Come on. Read it for yourself. And while you’re at it, check out the most recent work from the Ed Lab.
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MORE FRESNO-AREA EDUCATION NEWS
The doctoral program for clinical psychology at the California School of Psychology is receiving a three-year, $578,000 federal grant from Alliant International University to train students and faculty to provide behavioral health services in substance abuse prevention and treatment in high need and high-demand areas. The grant is coming from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.
“We are grateful to be recognized by HRSA and awarded with the funding needed to advance our mission and give students hands-on training in integrated behavioral health, which will help them better serve our communities,” program director Ya-Shu Liang said.
Since most Central Valley communities are considered shortage areas for mental health professionals, the grant will be “the first of its kind given to the Valley… a real game changer in helping grow the psychologist workforce in our rural communities,” Liang said.
As a Graduate Psychology Education grant, it trains doctoral health psychology students, interns and post-doctoral residents and supports faculty development of health service psychology, according to a June media release.
“This achievement is yet another national recognition for the Fresno PsyD program and a critical influx of funding to one of the hardest hit areas in the United States by the triple crises of mental health access, opioid addiction, and COVID impacts,” David Stewart, dean of the California School of Professional Psychology, said.
Thirteen Fresno Unified students finished a five-week-internship with Anthem Blue Cross. The second annual internship, which lasted from June 13 until July 14, educated the Health Career Pathway students on the services Anthem provides for the communities it serves as the they worked together to design and/or advance community outreach and engagement strategies.
“The goal of the internship was to develop innovative Health Education resources to improve our communities’ understating of COVID-19, taking into consideration the cultural and socioeconomic contexts of our populations,” according to the organization.
Fresno Unified School District is hosting an early registration event for PreK-6 grade students this week.
Who: Students entering grades PreK-6
When: Monday, July 18 to Friday, July 22 from 8:30 am to 3:45 pm
Where: Fresno Adult School at 2500 Stanislaus Street in Room 221
To register their students, parents must bring all the necessary registration documents. There will be Spanish and Hmong translators available.
Registration for middle and high school students will be the week of Aug. 8.
“This is a great opportunity for families to ask questions and ensure all required paperwork is submitted on time,” Superintendent Bob Nelson said in a Friday media release.
For more information on registering PreK-6 grade students:
K-6th grade: https://www.fresnounified.org/enroll/
Questions: (559) 457-3390
MORE EDUCATION NEWS? HERE’S WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Behavioral issues, absenteeism at schools increase, federal data shows “More than 80 percent of public schools reported that the pandemic has taken a toll on student behavior and social-emotional development, while nearly as many schools say they need more mental health support.” | The Washington Post
UC Merced takes admissions on the road “Dinuba High School is the second school in the Central Valley to join the Merced Automatic Admission Program.” | EdSource
With Roe v. Wade overturned, will California’s universities become havens for out-of-state students? “With abortion illegal or soon to be banned in 16 other states, California’s public universities could become reproductive-health safe havens.” | EdSource
At some schools, education is a path to healing “… the Wattis School serves children from throughout California and beyond who are grappling with serious health conditions such as cancer, spina bifida or cystic fibrosis — but who also want a “normal” school experience.” | EdSource
How We Fight Back When Officials Resist Releasing Information You Have a Right to Know “Texas agencies have fought against releasing records that could help clarify the response to the Uvalde school shooting. The blanket denials are reminiscent of another tragic case one reporter covered years ago.” | ProPublica
CSU Long Beach makes mental health priority “Calling the police for help is the only option for students who are trying to help a friend threatening harm to themselves or others. CSU Long Beach wants to change that.” | EdSource
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