Any official government data report will show you that Blacks still have lower high school and college attainment rates than Whites, even after controlling for social class. Why is that the case? One reason might be racial steering -- a new study points out that high school counselors advise Black students to attend community colleges more than White students, even with the same academic records.

The income factor was not surprising, he says, because counselors assume students from high-income families can afford a four-year college. But researchers were surprised that race made a difference, even after taking social class into account. . . .

“It’s good for the profession to be aware of it [the study] … there might be a possible unconscious bias,” says Brad McGowen, who has been a high school counselor for more than 20 years in Newton, Mass. . . .

Dr. Carolyn Stone, a counselor educator at the University of North Florida and a member of the American School Counselor Association, says the organization is working hard to improve equity and access issues.

While there are certain advantages of going to a community college as opposed to a four year college, ultimately, I think everyone would probably agree that a degree from a four year college is superior to one from a community college. Therefore, while community colleges certainly have their place and value to many students, I would think that counselors should recommend a four year school as the first option to all students.

That brings up the question, is it the case that, similar to real estate agents steering Black home buyers into largely Black neighborhoods and away from predominantly White areas, are high school counselors unfairly denying Black students the same opportunities and support that they give to White students, even when they have same academic credentials?

If the answer is yes, then we have another answer to the original question of why Blacks still lag behind Whites in terms of educational success.