Question

Understanding the Opposing Claim
A graph titled Percent of Population 25 Years and Over with a High School Diploma or More by Race shows percent labeled on the x-axis and years labeled on the y-axis. In 1960, 21.7 percent were Black American and 43.2 percent were White. In 1980, 51.2 percent were Black American and 68.8 percent were White. In 2000, 72.3 percent were Black American and 83.6 percent were White.

How does evidence in this graph support a counterclaim that King’s dream of equality is not being achieved in education?

More Black Americans are earning high school diplomas than ever before.
Both groups will one day need to have the same number of people with diplomas.
Fewer Black Americans receive high school diplomas than Whites.
Both groups have an equal number of people with high school diplomas.

Answer 1

Fewer Black Americans receive high school diplomas than Whites.

Explanation: Although graduation rates for Black Americans have risen over time, the graph shows Blacks consistently lag behind Whites in each year (1960, 1980, 2000), indicating educational equality has not been achieved.