Fact Check: Approximately 13% of U.S. public school students are classified as economically disadvantaged.

Fact Check: "Approximately 13% of U.S. public school students are classified as economically disadvantaged."

What We Know

The claim that approximately 13% of U.S. public school students are classified as economically disadvantaged is misleading. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the percentage of public school students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (FRPL), which is often used as a proxy for economic disadvantage, is significantly higher than 13%. In fact, as of the 2021-2022 school year, about 49% of public school students were eligible for FRPL, indicating they come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds (NCES).

The term "economically disadvantaged" can vary in definition, but it is commonly associated with students who qualify for FRPL. This program is designed to assist families with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level, which for a family of four was about $26,500 in 2021 (NCES).

Analysis

The claim of 13% appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the data regarding economic disadvantage in public schools. The NCES provides comprehensive data on the socioeconomic status of students, and their reports indicate that the percentage of students classified as economically disadvantaged is much higher than the claim suggests.

While the 13% figure might reflect a specific subset of schools or a particular demographic, it does not represent the overall landscape of U.S. public school students. The NCES data categorizes schools based on the percentage of students eligible for FRPL, with classifications such as low-poverty (25% or less), mid-low poverty (25.1% to 50%), mid-high poverty (50.1% to 75%), and high-poverty (more than 75%) (NCES).

The reliability of the NCES as a source is high, as it is a federal entity responsible for collecting and reporting educational statistics. In contrast, the source of the 13% claim is not specified, which raises concerns about its credibility and accuracy.

Conclusion

The claim that approximately 13% of U.S. public school students are classified as economically disadvantaged is False. The actual percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a common measure of economic disadvantage, is around 49%, indicating a much larger population of economically disadvantaged students than the claim suggests. The discrepancy highlights the importance of relying on verified data from credible sources when discussing educational statistics.

Sources

1. The Socioeconomic Achievement Gap in the US Public Schools
2. Concentration of Public School Students Eligible for Free or Reduced Price Lunch
3. PDF Microsoft Word - Revised National Report 0916 DB.docx
4. PDF K-12 EDUCATION - U.S. Government Accountability Office (U.S. GAO)
5. COE - Concentration of Public School Students Eligible for Free or Reduced Price Lunch
6. COE - Racial/Ethnic Enrollment in Public Schools
7. DCPS at a Glance: Enrollment - DC.gov
8. PDF Report on the Condition of Education 2022 - National Center for Education Statistics