Racial/Ethnic Differences in High School Students’ Academic Performance: Understanding the Interweave of Social Class and Ethnicity in the Family Context

While previous researchers have noted differences in the educational performance of minority students as a function of differences in family structure (e.g., single parent status) and socioeconomic level (c.g., family income), relatively little attention has been focused on the issue of ethnicity and educational performance. Using data from the 1988 and 1990 waves of the National Educational Longitudinal Study, this study posits that culture-based distinctions across ethnic groups may also affect the academic success of minority students. In a relative comparison, social class-based characteristics are shown to be the best predictors of educational performance among minority students, yet several culture-based traits arc also shown to be significantly associated with students’ academic performance. The implications of these findings for educators and policy-makers are discussed.