High school graduation rates lag for black and Latino males in Pa.

(Harrisburg) — Pennsylvania matches the national average when it comes to the high school graduation rate gap between white, black and latino males.

In 2012, about 85 percent of white males graduated from high school in Pennsylvania, while fewer than 64 percent of Latino males completed all four years.

For black males, the graduation rate dips to about 61 percent.

The numbers come from a report by the Schott Foundation for Public Education, which advocates for equal opportunity for all.

For foundation President and CEO John Jackson, changes in the classroom might not be enough.

“It raises a question whether or not Pennsylvania is offering and delivering the supports necessary, to academics, the socio-emotional, the health supports, that we know are important in providing students an opportunity to learn,” says Jackson.

Jackson says investing in education is the best kind of spending and points to studies showing better outcomes for high school graduates.

“The best economic stimulus package is a high school diploma. And in fact, most jobs in this century will require some level of post-secondary education,” he adds.

Pennsylvania’s neighbor New Jersey gets higher marks, as more than 75 percent of black and latino males graduate high school there, and the gap between racial groups was less than 15 percent.