The Progress-Index
Black, economically disadvantaged students are less likely to have access to advanced classes like Advanced Placement and more likely to be exposed to poverty, two studies say.
Petersburg High School only offers five AP courses for its students. Surrounding high schools, many of which have smaller economically disadvantaged and Black populations, offer double the amount or more AP classes and advanced coursework.
Almost 90% of students in Petersburg City Public Schools are Black, and another 83.3% are economically disadvantaged.
The disparities in AP courses reflect the segregation found in schools, as told by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and Pennsylvania State University. Both schools released two studies peering into the racial and economic disadvantages within Virginia students in AP courses and school overall.