In 1998, Hispanic high school graduates earned more credits than did 1982 graduates, especially in academic subjects, and narrowed the gap with Whites on academic credits earned.

In 1998, high school graduates earned more credits than did 1982 graduates, especially in academic subjects. Increased academic coursetaking was particularly pronounced among Hispanic students, and the difference that previously existed between Hispanic and White students was no longer detected in 1998. In 1982, Hispanic students earned, on average, one and one-half fewer credits in academic subjects than White students, but by 1998, this difference was less than one-half of one credit and not statistically significant. Although the difference between Hispanics and Blacks was not statistically significant in either 1982 or 1998, in both years Black students earned one fewer academic credits than White students. Overall, Hispanic high school graduates earned 25.4 total credits in 1998, including 17.7 academic credits and 4.0 vocational credits. The number of vocational credits that Hispanic high school graduates earned in 1998 was similar to the number earned by all high school graduates, who also earned 4.0 credits. Both of these figures represent a decrease from 1982, when Hispanics earned 5.3 vocational credits and all high school graduates earned 4.7 vocational credits (supplemental table 4.5).