Educating our children is one of the most important challenges facing the African American Community. Many African American children drop out of school before earning a high school diploma. They have average test scores, below those for White and Asian students.
Those that go on to attend colleges and universities are less likely to graduate than those in other ethnic groups. Students of color represent over 40 percent of undergraduate college students enrolled in 2017, yet African American students’ rate of college persistence is more than 11 percentage points lower than their white counterparts and 18 percentage points lower than Asian students, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Closing the “opportunity and achievement gap” afflicting African American students is essential, if we want future generations to succeed at work, in business, and in life.
Head Start
Head Start promotes school readiness of children from birth to age five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. The program supports children’s growth in areas such as language, literacy, and social and emotional development.
For program descriptions, requirements, guidelines, application information and to find a Head Start program near you, call 1-866-763-6481 (toll-free) or use the Head Start Locator found at: Connecticut Head Start Locator.
Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs)
Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are institutions that were established before 1964 with the intention of primarily serving the African American community. However students of all races attend HBCUs. Most HBCUs were created in the aftermath of the American Civil War and are in the former slave states, although a few notable exceptions exist. From class offerings and student organizations to career services and alumni networks, HBCUs offer supportive environments that are rooted in the African-American experience.
There are 107 HBCUs in the United States, including public and private institutions, community and four-year institutions, medical and law schools.
- Reasons to consider an HBCU
- 2022 Best Historically Black Colleges & Universities
- List of all HBCU Schools
Minority Teacher Recruitment
The lack of minority representation in the educational field is a concern for urban, suburban and rural school districts. It is important that all children have access to positive teaching, learning experiences, and role models with educators from a variety of backgrounds in order to be successful in an increasingly racially and culturally diverse society. Many of Connecticut public school students will never have the opportunity to engage with a teacher of color.
The Minority Teacher Recruiting Program is collaboration between the Capital Region Education Council’s Expert Solutions and Connecticut school districts. It is integral to increase the numbers of African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and Asian American teachers and administrators in the region’s public schools. Expert Solutions services include, but are not limited to, assisting schools to attract, recruit, hire, and retain a diverse teaching and administrative personnel that more closely represents the diversity of the student population.