Public School Student Racial/Student Origin (K-12)
What does this measure?
This indicator measures the racial and ethnic composition of public school students in Orange County, New York, from 2005 to 2024. It categorizes students by race/ethnicity, including White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native, and students identifying as multiracial. This data allows schools, researchers, and policymakers to monitor demographic trends in student populations over time, informing decisions related to equity, resource allocation, and culturally responsive education.
Summary Statement
The data reveals a clear trend of increasing racial and ethnic diversity in Orange County public schools. Over time, the percentage of White students has gradually declined, while the percentages of Hispanic or Latino and multiracial students have increased. For example, the county average of White students dropped from 76% in 2005-2006 to as low as 53% in 2023–2024, while the Hispanic student population rose from 13% to 31% over the same period. The percentage of Black or African American students has remained relatively stable, with a slight increase from 8% in 2005-2006 to 9% in 2023-2024. Other groups, such as Asian and multiracial students, have seen modest increases. These shifts reflect broader demographic changes occurring in the region, highlighting the growing diversity within the student population.
Sources
NYS Department of Education School District Report Card
https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/County.do?year=2010&county=Orange
NYS Education Department School District Report Card
https://reportcards.nysed.gov/view.php?schdist=district&county=44&year=2012
NYS Education Department Information and Reporting Services
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/statistics/enroll-n-staff/home.html