How does racial segregation influence educational opportunities and contribute to education gaps in society?

Racial segregation in cities often creates separate schools that receive different levels of funding, meaning students in segregated schools get fewer books, newer technology, and less experienced teachers. Because the schools that serve mainly minority students are usually underfunded, their students have fewer chances to learn advanced subjects or participate in extracurricular activities that boost college readiness. This unequal access keeps achievement gaps wide, as students in better-resourced schools can take honors courses and earn higher grades, while those in underfunded schools fall behind. For example, a student in a predominantly white school might have a science lab with microscopes, while a student in a segregated school may only have a single microscope for the whole class, limiting hands‑on learning and future opportunities.