Justice, Economics, and Literacy: Connections Between Educational Attainment, Economic Outcomes, and Literacy

This article investigates the connection between educational attainment and economic outcomes for Black Americans. We note a quandary between narrowing disparities in educational attainment and little to no diminishment of disparities in employment and income outcomes. To better understand this quandary, we suggest perceptions of the quality of schooling, as represented by racial/ethnic differences in literacy proficiency, might be a helpful explanatory factor. To address perceived differences in educational quality as proxied by literacy disparities, we propose implementing several universal and evidence-based strategies for enhancing literacy outcomes. Achieving success in this effort would be an important step forward in ensuring the conditions are present for Blacks to obtain greater economic prosperity and fuller participation in American life.