Dept. of Education: Racial disparities evident as early as preschool. Why?

Students as young as 7-years-old can see the beginnings of racial disparity within the U.S. education system according to a new report released Friday.

Below is a breakdown of the key findings in the extensive study conducted by the Education Department's civil rights branch.

Why does racial disparity still exist in the U.S. school system?

Is there any way to reverse these trends?

How can local, state and federal agencies try to make these gaps smaller?

We consulted a panel of experts for the Inside Story.

This panel was assembled for the broadcast of “Inside Story.”

For future hard-hitting conversations, find Al Jazeera America on your TV.