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Show 5 Page BLACK ENROLLMENT STATS, DISPUTED (College Press Service) December 1975 Black enrollment in colleges is increasing, but the amount of that increase is still being argued between the U.S. Census Bureau and a Howard University group. Government figures showing a 19 percent hike in Black fenrollments have been called “‘inflated’’ and “suspect’’ by the Howard University’s Institute for the Study of Educational Policy. Census figures showed that Black enroll- ment rose by 19 percent between 1973 and 1974 school years. Although the exact jump in Black enrollment can’t be determined The Broad Ax because of sampling errors, Census about the number of college students in their families. Black enrollment figures become inflated, the said, ‘‘through the desire Other errors in the Census figures occur because the percentage of blacks in a 48,000 household survey isn’t large enough to give an accurate picture of the entire Black population, the Howard University report states. officials claim that the reported rise is large enough to make it almost certain that an enrollment increase occurred. Howard’s Tollett admits that some Black enrollment increase may have been caused by more Blacks taking advantage of G.I. Bill benefits, INFLATED report of household members, especially low-income families, to exaggerate their educational attainment in order to impress favorably the interviewer questioning them.” FIGURES increased community cial aid. Kenneth Tollett, chairman of Howard University group, won’t argue Black enrollment is up. But he claims “the figures are inflated because they’ve been efforts, more el the that that inflated in the past.” recruitment colleges and an increase in finan- ENROLLMENT INCREASE But in spite of any Black enrollment increase, the Howard report claimed that Blacks continue to be concentrated in ‘“‘the Tollett lower cost,” less selective institutions without ; told the Chronicle of Higher Education, ‘‘but I'm skeptical. It’s too good to be true.” major -graduate or research programs.”’ Blacks make up 6 percent of the total enrollment at “I’m happy to see the figure,” four-year private colleges, the report said. Census data compiled from information collected in 48,000 households show that Another report on Black enrollment jumped by 122,000 to a total of 659,000 during the 1974-75 school year. The Census claimed a 56 _ percent increase in black enrollment since 1970. total of 1,910. The Howard University report states that the methods used in collecting that data are likely to make the black enrollment figure inaccurate. The UNRELIABLE ANSWERS NO MORE a Nutrition recent article on the Community Institute (CN1I) and the battle wag- ing in Congress over the food stamp program, Focus CNI: quotes citizens, news “A reporters growing and number of legislators are Bar Howard court affirmative-action pro- FOOD STAMPS? mail.’’ Those concerned with poverty, the article continued, ‘‘will need to get to work immediately if millions of low income persons are not to be cut adrift from food stamp assistance. ”’ ton, D.C. 20005. stamp law University study concluded decisions, reportedly anti-food approved grams and increased financial aid, the involvement of Blacks in higher education has been irregular and inadequate.”’ Focus with in that ‘‘even with the help of supportive legisla- coming to accept the anti-food stamp propaganda as fact, and Capitol. Hill offices are deluged Association enrollment schools shows that the number of first-year Black law students has decreased by 33 to a tion, The report questioned the reliability of answers given by Black families when asked In American Black is a monthly newsletter of the Joint Center for Political Studies, 1426 H Street, N.W., Suite 926, Washing- |
