Black Student Achievement Program Launched by LAUSD

City of Angels Independent School will implement Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) into their curriculum. This will be defined by strong social - emotional awareness and regulation, a positive view on Black students' cultural identity and, of course, high academic performance.

The aim of this program is to help break the intergenerational underperformance from underserved sectors and advocate for racial equity. Working with local districts across the Los Angeles Unified School District, the BASP will provide supplemental support for Black students.

Support includes secondary counselors, elementary PSA’s, psychiatric social workers, restorative justice teachers, school climate advocates, math coaches, and more. This is to help respond to the unique needs of Black students and elevate the need for equity of all, not just equality.

This program was approved by LAUSD in February during the 2020-2021 school year. In just one year, the Black Student Achievement Plan has begun to pick up traction and has garnered interest for the program to be implemented in more schools. The success of the BSAP includes from Test Group 1, every Black student participated has at least one advocate at 100% of the schools, 68% of schools reported an increase in participation of extracurricular activities at school, 64% reported increases in levels and parent and family engagement.

The future of BASP is to increase an emphasis on numerical and literacy proficiency with consistent measures and a course in African American Studies for California's University of California approval.

Well-Suited is in development of a curriculum that will fit this African American Studies course and more with ethnic studies in general. Being able to bring awareness, recognition and respect to all cultures for students at a young age is immensely important. This type of learning will help students be able to connect with each other on a deeper level, for some it may help them understand their own culture on a level that may have never been addressed to them without programs like this. Culturally sensitive education like this gives students in the LAUSD the head start that they need both in life and in the transition from high school to college.

Sources:

https://achieve.lausd.net/cms/lib/CA01000043/Centricity/Domain/1334/Feb%208%20Board%20Report.pdf

https://achieve.lausd.net/cms/lib/CA01000043/Centricity/Domain/1334/Black_Student_Achievement_Plan_Final.pdf

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/losangelescountycalifornia/RHI725221