Education

Inspirational quotes from educators, activists, and leaders are encouraging Black students to embrace their cultural heritage, overcome obstacles, and strive for success in the new year.

The Grad Partnership survey revealed that national graduation rates have varied considerably during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with chronic absenteeism, limited access to technology, and the removal of mandatory graduation requirements being significant factors.

Schools are adopting multifaceted approaches to address chronic absenteeism, such as enhancing communication, fostering collaboration, and cultivating engaging environments to boost attendance rates and promote student well-being.

Head Start is a changemaker for all communities. Child by child, family by family, the seeds that are sowed continue to blossom as they stretch higher and higher toward the sunshine.

Nine upcoming books for Black K-12 students in 2025 are set to be released, showcasing diverse narratives that honor culture, history, and personal development, enabling students to see themselves reflected and represented in literature.

These Kwanzaa-themed books for K-12 students offer an informative and enriching experience, presenting the history, principles, and traditions of the holiday.

Five nonprofit organizations are delivering mental health resources and support to Black students, tackling the shortage of mental health providers in schools and the increasing suicide rates among young Black girls.

This year witnessed notable developments in American education, including book bans, restrictions on teaching Black history, and the nomination of a former World Wrestling Federation executive to lead the Department of Education. However, there were also inspiring accounts of courageous leaders advocating for equitable education.

Black K-12 education experienced notable events in 2024, marking the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the enactment of laws limiting AP African American Studies, ongoing disparities in school discipline, racist messages sent to Black students post-election, and the nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education.

Tukwila School District is experiencing a budget crisis with a negative fund balance and a projected $4.5 million shortfall, necessitating reliance on a maintenance and operations levy to bridge the gap, yet the district continues to struggle to meet operational needs.