The gap between the number of African Americans and whites going to college has decreased over the last 20 years, according to data compiled with the help of School of Education Prof. Michael Nettles.
The first volume of The African American Education Data Book, released yesterday, contains new information on everything from financial aid statistics to comparisons of the scores earned by African American and white students on graduate admissions tests.
The Frederick D. Patterson Institute, an education research foundation headed by Nettles, published the 24-page brochure.
"Most people have impressions about the status of blacks in education, but they really don't know the facts," Nettles said from the institute's headquarters in Fairfax, Va., yesterday.
"Even policy makers don't necessarily have the right information, so it's important for us to record facts about the status so that you can use that as a baseline from which to set goals and monitor progress," he said.
Between 1984 and 1994, the percentage of black college students increased from 8.8 to 10.1 percent, the report states. However, African Americans currently make up 14 percent of the college-age population nationwide. At the University, black students make up 8.9 percent of the population.
From 1977 to 1994, the number of African Americans receiving bachelor's degrees increased by 40 percent, the report states. However, the number of African Americans receiving master's degrees declined by about half a percent.
Nettles said it is important to train more black students in doctoral and graduate programs so more will go on to become professors.
Lisa Baker, associate vice president for University relations, said the University has been working hard to draw more African American students to the University.
"We have made great strides in the last 10 years in our recruitment efforts, and our graduation rate is one of the highest in the nation," Baker said.
However, Baker emphasized that the University still needs to do more to attract African American students and make sure they stay and complete their education.
Lester Monts, vice provost for academic and multicultural affairs and chair of the University's advisory board to the Patterson Institute, said the University ranks behind only the University of Virginia in graduation rates of African American students.
"I think when you compare us to our peer institutions, we're way ahead," Monts said.
The report also noted that African American women are twice as likely to receive bachelor's and master's degrees as African American men.
LSA sophomore Romanda Kindle said she is disappointed and pleased at the same time by the findings.
"I'm kind of sad that there are not a lot of males attending college," Kindle said. "As far as the women in general, I'm proud of that."
Nettles said there are a number of ways that universities can improve the climate for black students in higher education.
"Each college and university should examine the issue for itself by asking the students and faculty what needs to be done," Nettles said.
The Patterson Institute, which was formed last summer, is the first foundation in the United States dedicated to researching issues surrounding African Americans and education. "This is a landmark study," Monts said. "Mike Nettles is a superb researcher."
The foundation plans to focus its next data book in the three-book series on educational trends among African Americans from pre-school to high school.