After deeply examining Seattle Public Schools’ longitudinal data across multiple measures including academic performance, discipline, and attendance, educators and education advocates say it became clear that previous initiatives had done little to transform the educational experiences, access, or attainment for African American male students.
District data confirms that African American boys and young men continue to be furthest from educational justice. Regardless of the instructional model, school location, or reform, the academic needs of Black boys remain persistently unmet across the district.
However, there is some encouraging news. Since its inception, Seattle Public Schools’ African American Male Achievement (AAMA) program has made measurable progress. AAMA data shows that between 70 and 74 percent of Black males in the district are now graduating on time and considered college-ready, marking a notable improvement from previous years…