Education

 

Education changes lives and Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” In Kenosha and Racine, education at all levels is a high priority but gaps in performance for girls and women exist in terms of test scores, completion rates, degree attainment, and occupations. The researchers have included several interactive charts and graphs to gain a better understanding of the educational opportunities and challenges for students in Kenosha and Racine.  

Take time to review the enrollment and graduation data by gender at Carthage College, Gateway Technical College, and UW-Parkside. In addition, we have included for review charts to show how elementary and middle school students in Kenosha Unified School District and Racine Unified School District perform on the Math and English Language Arts Forward Exams.  In addition, interactive charts comparing bachelor’s degree attainment and occupational categories across several employment sectors by gender are included. 

 

Graduates by gender 2017-2018

This chart shows the number of graduates in the 2017-18 academic year by gender and by institution. As is the case across higher education nationally, more women are earning degrees than men at this time. In the future, additional years will be added to show trends in the number of graduates from regional higher education institutions.

Enrollment and Graduation Rate data provided by the Institutional Research offices at Carthage College, Gateway Technical College, and UW-Parkside. 



Enrollment by gender in 2018-2019

This chart shows the total headcount by gender for the fall 2018 semester. It is customary to measure headcount enrollment at the beginning of each academic year. The enrollment patterns in higher education in Kenosha and Racine follow national trends, where more women are enrolling than men. In the future, additional years will be added to show enrollment trends for regional higher education institutions. 

Enrollment and Graduation Rate data was provided by the Institutional Research offices at Carthage College, Gateway Technical College, and UW-Parkside. 



High school graduation rates

These numbers (in percentages) compare the percentage of students who complete high school with their adjusted cohort and earn a credential. A cohort is a distinct group of students who enter 9th grade together, similar to a "graduating class" with adjustments. The 4-year rate is the percentage of students who complete within 4 years or less. Wisconsin also tracks a 5- and 6-year completion rate. 

Major Takeaway:

Female students graduate at higher rates than male students (both districts).

Bachelor's degree majors by gender


  • Of individuals with a Bachelor’s degree, living in Kenosha and Racine counties, the largest numbers are found in the science and engineering fields (30.7% and 28.3%, respectively).
  • What is striking is that while 40.0% (Kenosha) and 36.8% (Racine) of male Bachelor’s degree holders majored in science and engineering, only 22.6% (Kenosha) and 20.8% (Racine) of female Bachelor’s degree holders majored in science and engineering. 
  • These numbers are very similar to statewide percentages.
  • On a positive note, the percentage of female Bachelor’s degree holders majoring in science and engineering is higher among younger than older cohorts. 

2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Table S1502: FIELD OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE FOR FIRST MAJOR  

Forward Assessment, 2017-2018

The Forward Exam is administered to students in grades 3-8 for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.

The tables indicate the percentage of each gender who achieved a score of Proficient or Advanced on the Forward exam in ELA and Mathematics for each grade level in 2017-2018, out of the total number of students who scored as Proficient or Advanced. For example, out of all third grade Racine Unified School District students who scored Proficient/Advanced in ELA, 49% were female and 51% were male, and out of all third grade Racine Unified School District students who scored Proficient/Advanced in Mathematics, 41.3% were female and 58.7% were male.

Major Takeaways

  • Female students outperform male students in English Language Arts at the elementary and middle school levels; the gap widens at the middle school level (across both districts).
  • Female students outperform male students in mathematics at the middle school level (Kenosha Unified School District/Racine Unified School District); the reverse is true at the elementary school level.

More information about the Forward exam and how exam data is collected can be found at https://dpi.wi.gov/wisedash/about-data/forward.

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