This chart shows the number of days missed because of out-of-school suspensions per 100 students in Birmingham area schools. Studies have found indications of bias in educators’ perceptions of students’ behavior, leading to white students being disciplined less often and less severely for similar behaviors. Black students were twice as likely to miss days than white students in 95 of the 100 largest metro areas.

This chart shows the percentage of schools in Birmingham where we found racial and ethnic disparity in out-of-school suspension days, showing how widespread unequal discipline is and how much more likely students of any racial and ethnic backgrounds are to attend a school where discipline is unequal. If we found inequity in the discipline of at least half the schools in a metro area, we considered it an inequity for the metro area.

This chart shows the share of Birmingham area high school students enrolled in advanced placement courses. Access to AP courses gives students an advantage in college admission and readiness, but that advantage is more available to white students than students of color in most cities. We considered a gap of more than five percentage points for any racial or ethnic group as inequity.

This chart shows share of Birmingham metro area households with a home computer and internet access. Students with access to computers and internet at home have an advantage in doing well in school. In the vast majority of cities, white students are more likely to have that advantage than students of color. We considered a gap of more than five percentage points for any racial or ethnic group as inequity.