Lower expectations? The LA TIMES explores (free registration) Berkeley High School's problems with black and Latino depressed achievement. Of course, the People's Republic of Berkeley being what it is, it can't be racism - that only happens in communities filled with hateful white trash and Republicans. My first thought is that the story hints that a student's lack of preparation against the blistering competition is a key problem. Why is this not something that is relevant to the UC system? It doesn't seem like diversity is doing a whole lot of good for the kids in high school, but it's crucial in higher education, no? In addition, the story also talks a bit about Asians, but the big contrast is between whites and blacks & Latinos. Why not talk about how the Asians are doing well despite being oppressed people of color? Maybe there could be some magic secret that one could glean from their performance. This quote confused me:

Despite Berkeley's efforts, some minority parents say the school fails to aggressively challenge students of color and hold them to the same academic standards as others.

Oh, really? If this is what black parents want, I'm all aboard, equal standards for everyone.... I do think some of the problem is lower expectations and culture. Of course, I think there are other realities that we might have to confront.