Key to Middle-Class: It's The Education, Stupid

As we are steeped in a close and hotly contested presidential election between President Obama and Mitt Romney, the question becomes: Which candidate will best serve the American middle-class?

And we know the middle-class has been economically suffering.

For many poor and working class Americans the question is: Which presidential candidate offers the best policies on realizing the American Dream or transitioning their condition from poverty to middle-class?

And to date, this is the question many in the African-American community are asking.


But with middle-class status seemingly so elusive for vast numbers of African-Americans -- whether the Democrats or Republicans are in power -- the questions should be:

Why Do African-Americans Trail In Benchmarks That Lead To The Middle Class?

Well, apparently, a Brookings Institution report, 'Pathways to the Middle Class: Balancing Personal and Public Responsibilities has zeroed into the factors hindering many in the African-American community. And as they have concluded: This ain't rocket science...

Here's the Cliff Notes:

The formula to being middle-class in America: (1) graduate from high school; (2) don't have children until after you get married; (3) don't do anything that will land you in jail; (4) don't acquire a drug habit; and (5) have a decent work ethic. Americans who are chronically poor typically flunk three or more of these indicators. source

More Highlights:

The article continues: "Another avenue that slows ascension is poor education. In early childhood, 56 percent of black 5-year-olds possess adequate pre-reading and math skills and demonstrate behaviors considered 'school-appropriate,' compared with 61 percent of Hispanics and 68 percent of whites. The road ahead for blacks is riddled with obstacles. By age 11, only 52 percent of black kids have adequate English and math skills, compared with 73 percent of white youngsters. By high school, 39 percent of blacks graduate with a 2.5 grade-point average; have no conviction for a criminal offense; or exit their teens without becoming a parent."

To read the complete story follow the link: Black middle-class