They've gone to private schools where they've had little contact with minority students and, probably all their life, they haven't been disciplined or punished for these kinds of things.

It is disappointing that a stubborn minority of pupils, estimated at 8,000 in just 4% of secondary schools, remain determined to jeopardise their education and their futures through persistent truancy. While the causes of truancy are complex and challenging, we will focus on this minority who are responsible for much of unauthorised absence.

It was a decision forced by the minority. But we didn't want to exclude any students, no matter how few.

I'm extremely pleased with the progress that our minority students are making, ... They are outstripping the gains made across the United States by a greater margin than even our student population as a whole. That bodes well for our state.

We cannot rest until all demographics are equitably represented in AP. It's clear that many minority students aren't receiving the high school education that's going to fortify them for a successful transition into college.

I believe all our students need positive role models, and especially minority students.