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Discover Private School Demographics Using ProPublica’s Latest Database

“Uncover the Truth: Explore Private School Demographics with ProPublica’s New Database”

ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom known for investigating abuses of power, has recently released a groundbreaking database called the Private School Demographics. This database sheds light on the demographics of private schools in the United States compared to public schools, providing valuable insights into segregation and access issues in education.

According to ProPublica’s analysis, private schools in the U.S. are generally whiter than public schools, with fewer Black, Hispanic, or Latino students. This disparity is not surprising given the exclusivity and cost of private schools. However, the lack of centralized data on private schools makes it challenging to accurately assess their demographics.

During their investigation on Segregation Academies in the South, ProPublica utilized a little-known voluntary survey administered by the federal government to analyze private school demographics. For example, in Amite County, Mississippi, public schools were 16% white, while private schools were 96% white, highlighting stark racial disparities.

Recognizing the importance of this data beyond the South, ProPublica created the Private School Demographics database, allowing users to explore years of historical data on private schools. This database enables parents, researchers, and journalists to compare the makeup of private schools to local public school systems.

The database offers various search and filter options for private schools and public school districts, allowing users to analyze enrollment, racial composition, religious affiliation, and founding year. Users can also download demographic data provided by schools for further analysis.

As debates on school choice, vouchers, and privatization of education intensify, the accessibility of this private school data becomes crucial. While the information is self-reported, ProPublica has made efforts to flag inaccuracies and provide a platform for users to report errors.

The Private School Demographics database includes features such as searchable maps, interactive line charts showing enrollment trends, breakdowns by religious orientation and school type, and comparisons between private and public schools in each state and district. Users are encouraged to explore the database, share notable findings, suggest improvements, and report errors to ProPublica.

Overall, the release of the Private School Demographics database marks a significant step towards transparency and accountability in education, offering valuable insights into the demographics of private schools and their impact on segregation and access to quality education.

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