On the graduate level, these groups make up less than 12 percent of graduate enrollment, and 8 percent of graduate degrees. At the U.S. Department of Education, we are deeply concerned at these low minority rates of participation in graduate education. We need to work to ensure that access to graduate education is available to all Americans. And our graduate schools must come to reflect the face of America, with the diverse racial and ethnic makeup that is one of our country's outstanding features. We cannot expect to resolve access issues sequentially.
Real access comprises admission, persistence, and success.