On Point | Podcast Falling Behind: The opportunity gap
Aug 27, 2025
Join Joseph Derek Nelson, an education expert and chair of the Department of Black Studies, along with Pedro Noguera, Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education, as they delve into the educational disparities faced by Black boys. They discuss systemic issues, innovative strategies from Boys Latin School, and the importance of supportive school environments. Insights from young students challenge societal stereotypes, while the necessity for building trust, emotional connections, and community support in education takes center stage.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Gap Is Race Plus Gender
- The achievement gap is driven by both race and gender, with Black boys falling furthest behind.
- Disaggregating data reveals Black girls often match white boys, exposing a specific crisis for Black males.
Systemic Patterns, Not Isolated Cases
- Black males are underrepresented in honors and overrepresented in punitive placements across many indicators.
- This consistent pattern suggests systemic labeling and marginalization rather than isolated incidents.
Classroom That Pushes And Supports
- In a sixth-grade Boys Latin class, teachers press students repeatedly and refuse to supply quick answers.
- The repeated probing built a calm, supportive culture where boys risked answers without ridicule.
