How You as a Member of the Black Community Can Bridge the Gap: Tips for Supporting Our Black Children and Improving their Educational Outcomes

May 9, 2020

by Nicole Bronson, Ed.D.; Kevin Hudson; Adrian Mims, Sr., Ph.D.; Achil Petit, Ed.D.; Manouchka Pierre, Ed.D.; and Nzingha Williams, MBA

The large achievement and opportunity gaps between Black and White students have rightfully given rise to much discussion and concern. These gaps follow Black children from elementary to high school, on to college and, ultimately, impact professional and economic opportunities. Education is the great equalizer as it impacts access to scholarships, job prospects, finances and wealth accumulation, housing, safety, and health. Further, an educated citizenry is to the benefit of our society on not just a local, but a national level. 

We envision a Black Community that is united, healthy and prosperous, and forward-thinking while honoring the past. The proper and equitable education of the Black child should be the concern and responsibility of all community members. When we invest in our children, we transform families, society, and nations. With that said, there is no lack of desire to uplift our community; we just need to know how best to do so. Below every member of the community will find tips and suggestions on what role you can play in supporting the education of our Black children. The topics addressed are the following:

1. Who Can Be Advocates and How To Advocate
2. Ways Parents Can Support Their Child’s Education
3. Tips for Parents With Children Who Struggle With Discipline At School
4. Worthwhile Opportunities for Black Students
5. Benefits of Career and Technical Education (CTE)
6. What Children Should be Doing During Distance Learning
7. What College-Bound High School Students Should Be Doing
8. What Children Should be Doing During Summer Break
9. Ways Community Members Can Support Parents and Children
10. Valuable Resources and Organizations for Black Students (K-12)
11. Valuable Resources and Organizations for Black Students (College-bound)

1. Who can be advocates for children at school? And, how do they advocate?

Parents and other family members

• Know your child’s course progression and advocate for rigorous classes
• Encourage your child to explore diverse areas of interest in middle and high schools.
• Attend school board/committee meetings
• Vote in local elections for candidates who share the same values and opinions
• Participate in school events, PTA (parent-teacher association), and volunteer opportunities
• Ask for and know the student outcome data. What are the outcomes of Black students in the school and district? Who is on what tracks and accessing which classes? And, how are they disparate?  

School staff

• Always advocate through the lens of “equity”, especially “racial equity”, when discussing policies that could have a greater impact on Black students. Get rid of policies and practices that create or perpetuate inequities.
• Provide input on school academic, discipline, and student placement policies and practices. 
• Share high expectations for Black students and counter biases in the system like teacher recommendation and testing for course selection and program selection.
• Provide support and knowledge that can help propel students especially those whose life circumstances you could change 
• Enlist parents as allies and make sure they are connected to the school
• Believe in the young people in your charge. Too often gaps that exist are dismissed as representative of gaps in ability vs. gaps in instruction, biases and support/belief in Black children
• Vote in local elections for candidates who share the same values and opinions
• Participate in school events, PTA (parent-teacher association), and volunteer opportunities
• Ask for and know the student outcome data. What are the outcomes of Black students in the school and district? Who is on what tracks and accessing which classes? And, how are they disparate?

Alumni 

• Give back via scholarships
• Serve as a volunteer and/or mentor 
• Help connect students to internships and jobs
• Return for a career program or college program. Model a career pathway that a young person may have never seen in their community 
• Vote in local elections for candidates who share the same values and opinions
• Participate in school events, PTA (parent-teacher association), and volunteer opportunities
• Ask for and know the student outcome data. What are the outcomes of Black students in the school and district? Who is on what tracks and accessing which classes? And, how are they disparate?

Community Members

• Invest in schools and Black students (scholarships, internships, donations, jobs, etc.)
• Support summer and academic-year enrichment programs. Work with teachers to provide experiences that will help students build skills.
• Join staff to welcome students back to school and celebrate their achievements, promotions and growth. 
• Vote in local elections for candidates who share the same values and opinions
• Participate in school events, community-school organizations, and volunteer opportunities
• Ask for and know the student outcome data. What are the outcomes of Black students in the school and district? Who is on what tracks and accessing which classes? And, how are they disparate?

Business Partners

• Invest in schools and Black students (scholarships, internships, donations, jobs, etc.)
• Give Black students the opportunity to work with your companies.  
• Partner with schools to expose students to your business.
• Make decisions through the lens of “equity”, especially “racial equity”, when engaging in hiring and compensation. 
• Donate resources or time to support student learning
• Financially support well-regarded rigorous summer learning opportunities for students outside their community as well as in their community (such as W.E.B Dubois Scholars Institute and Lead Program in Business)
• Vote in local elections for candidates who share the same values and opinions
• Participate in school events, community-school organizations, and volunteer opportunities
• Ask for and know the student outcome data. What are the outcomes of Black students in the school and district? Who is on what tracks and accessing which classes? And, how are they disparate?

2. Ways Parents Can Support Their Child’s Education

• Be as involved as possible. Communicate with teachers and other parents; volunteer at the school; review grades, assignments, and progress on parent portal
• Ask school for videos and tutorials that parents can use at home with kids
• Use your network to get help for your child (friend, coworker, neighbor, etc.)
• Talk to your child. Ask questions and discuss their day including what they are learning
• Get involved in learning workshops or webinars provided by the school or outside organizations
• Creating opportunities for the development of skills outside of academics. Social and emotional learning and mental health are critical to the learning process.
• Encourage and model children to read anything and everything (particularly readings that are at and above grade level)
• Believe in your child’s ability to achieve. It is important for young people to know that trusted adults believe in them.

3. Tips for Parents with Children who Struggle with Discipline at School

• Be honest about who your child is and their struggles
• Determine whether the behavior is masking a learning issue 
• Find outlets for your child such as arts, sports, etc.
• Set clear expectations and be consistent with rewards and consequences. 
• Know your rights and the rules to assure your child is receiving the necessary supports as well as proper and equitable discipline
• Partner and communicate with school staff (counselors, teachers, coaches, administrators, etc.). Make sure the lines of communication work both ways. 
• Celebrate small wins and acknowledge your child’s accomplishments
• Seek outside professional help if it is beyond the school or your area of expertise. Children can benefit from expert mental health restoration. 

4. Worthwhile Opportunities for Black Students

• Take career and technical education (CTE) classes in middle and high school.
• Join student organizations that have professional affiliations (FBLA, HOSA, Skills USA, NSBE Jr., etc).
• Obtain summer employment, internships, volunteering, and mentoring opportunities.
• Pursue dual-enrollment opportunities with local colleges, trade schools, and universities.
• Take honors and advanced-level courses such as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Participate in a study abroad or student exchange programs
• Engage in regular community service

5. Benefits of Career & Technical Education

• Earn college credit in high school
• Receive current and relevant industry certifications and credentials
• Build network, social capital, and resume
• Discover unknown careers and gain realistic job expectations
• Develop essential work skills, i.e. communication, critical thinking, etc.
• Envision a clear pathway for higher education/postsecondary goals
• Minimize debt through alternate career paths and financial literacy 
• Use knowledge from general education classes in a practical manner 

6. Things Children Should be Doing Now During School Building Closures

• Abide by a basic schedule (sleep/wake, meals, academics, outdoor activities, fun/playtime, friends & family)
• Attend to mental, emotional, and physical health
• Read and write daily (Ask teacher to provide grade-level reading and writing materials)
• Practice math skills, facts, and problem solving (cooking, shopping, games, etc.)
• Engage in assigned learning and communicate frequently with teachers and other staff. Ask questions, seek help/support, and/or request additional work to challenge them if necessary.
• Spend time outside and engaging in physical activities and exercise

7. Things College-Bound High School Students Should Be Doing

• Become familiar with the college application process using commonapp.org and Coalition application
• Write 2-3 college personal statements 
• Participate in (virtual) college tours
• Review pathways and requirements for their colleges of choice and academic areas of interest
• Assess student’s current academic progress and create a plan to ensure the student meets all requirements for their college/major of choice
• Keep track of prospective scholarship programs and colleges using Google or Microsoft software/apps

8. Things Children Should do During Summer Breaks

• Have simple routines and a basic schedule followed daily
• Read and/or be read to for at least 30 minutes each day (Teachers can recommend grade-level reading material for your children.)
• Write daily (journal, summary of readings, a story, etc.)
• Practice math skills, facts, and problem solving (cooking, shopping, games, etc.)
• Spend time outside and engaging in physical activities and exercise
• Partake in activities that require students to solve problems using their reasoning skills (solving puzzles, coding, etc.)
• Practice and reinforce the skills they obtained in the previous months of learning.
• Get a jump on what will be covered in September. Begin to engage in the next grade’s reading and mathematics. 

9. Ways Community Members Can Support Children & Parents During Stay-at-home Orders

• Share internet access and/or technology devices
• Provide lunch and/or check on kids at home alone (create a rotating schedule)
• Help with learning and tutoring, especially for students who may not have internet access 
• Disinfect community facilities and prepare them for use as schools may close early and children will need outlets 
• Provide child care, lunch, wellness checks for children of essential workers 
• Provide resources, information, food, and financial assistance for parents that are really struggling

10. Valuable Resources, Organizations, Etc. for Black Students (K-12)

• Khan Academy (www.KhanAcademy.org) 
• Scholastic Learning at Home (https://learnathome.scholastic.com/thanks.html) 
• Black Girls Code (www.blackgirlscode.com) 
• ONet (www.onetonline.org) 
• 100 Black Men 
• Black Greek Fraternities and Sororities 
• The College Board
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
• Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN)

11. Valuable Resources, Organizations, Etc. for Black Students (College-Bound)

• College Results Online 
• Net Price Calculator (available for all colleges by law)
• Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund
• INROADS
• The Emma Bowen Foundation
• TRIO Programs (Upward Bound, Student Success, Ronald McNair)
• American Talent Initiative / CollegePoint
• AI4ALL
• iNROADS/SEO/Management Leadership for Tomorrow 

These tips were provided by the host and panelists of "The Education of the Black Child: What the Black Community Must Know" panel discussion. (Link to discussion: https://youtu.be/Za58ErrD4JU) The panel discussion was the second of the "Sound the Alarm: The Covid-19 Wakeup Call for Black People in America" series. Part 1 was dedicated to health and well-being in the Black community. Meanwhile, part 2 provided community members with context of the current state of education for Black children, recommendations for how the Black Community can support Black children and families, and suggestions of valuable resources and organizations. Part 2 panelists are Kevin Hudson, Dr. Adrian Mims, Dr. Achil Petit, Dr. Manouchka Pierre, and Nzingha Williams. The panel host and moderator is Dr. Nicole Bronson.

The "Sound the Alarm: Covid-19 Wakeup Call for Black People in America" panel series was created by Dr. Nicole Bronson who was startled into action by the disproportionately adverse impact of the coronavirus on health, education, and other areas for Black community members. The pandemic has shone a light on already existing inequities that continue to be perpetuated due largely to systemic and institutional racism. The panel discussions seek to raise awareness, share information from experts, and provide the Black community with actions to mitigate, navigate, and eliminate the inequities pervasive throughout the United States.

About the contributors

Dr. Nicole Bronson

Dr. Nicole Bronson began her professional career as a program financial analyst; but later switched careers and entered the education field to change lives. Dr. Bronson’s almost two decades as an educator include ten years of full-time teaching experience, five years of international work experience, and six years serving as a school or district leader. Her professional journey has included experiences in private, bilingual, boarding, urban, and suburban schools. Additionally, Dr. Bronson also assisted in the development of aspiring school leaders as an adjunct instructor in the University of Central Florida’s College of Community Innovation and Education. 

One of Dr. Bronson's most rewarding roles was with Orange County Public Schools in Florida, where she supported 61 middle and high schools in implementing a program to provide equitable opportunities and support in advanced-level mathematics for underrepresented populations. Dr. Bronson has facilitated dozens of professional learning workshops ranging from mathematics content and effective instructional practices to work-life balance and incorporating technology in the classroom.  She has also presented at national conferences on the topics of increasing minority students' access to STEM courses and careers and inequitable discipline practices. 

Dr. Bronson earned bachelor degrees in Mathematics and Spanish and a master’s degree in International Business from the University of Florida. She received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Bronson currently serves as a program consultant with New Teacher Center where she supports school districts across the United States in disrupting inequities in educational outcomes. Education, empowering others, uplifting her community, and, not to forget, Latin dancing are Dr. Bronson's greatest passions.

Nzingha Williams

Nzingha started her career in higher education in 2013, as an office assistant to the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Academy at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2014, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to take a position at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), where she continues to work with students in the BLET Academy. Currently, she serves as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator at CPCC’s Merancas Campus.

As a CTE Coordinator, she is a liaison between CPCC, the community, and Charlotte- Mecklenburg School System’s CTE programs. Her role allows her to share the many opportunities CPCC has to offer and help students transition from secondary to post-secondary and the workforce. 

Through her role, Nzingha has found her passion for career and technical education and understands how it can transform the lives of families. She truly understands the connection between education, workforce development and economic mobility. It is her long term goal to continue working in higher education and assist in empowering young people and their goals. Her love for people and education is what has driven her to pursue a doctorate degree in Adult and Community College Leadership at North Carolina State University. 

Most importantly, Nzingha is a proud wife to her husband Michael and mother to two fur babies, Roscoe (pug) and Bella (boxer mix). Her hobbies include traveling, dancing, singing, and spending time with family and friends. She is a focused and fun professional. Her passion is felt through conversation and expressed in her work.

Dr. Manouchka Pierre

Dr. Manouchka Pierre is a first generation immigrant from Haiti. She spent her early academic years in NY. She later moved to Florida from NY, with her two daughters Janelle and Asia, where a passion for education found her. She earned her Bachelors in Political Science (minor social science Ed) from the University of Central Florida. As a working, and active single mom, she would go on to earn two master's degrees MAEd and MPA online. In 2019 she earned her EdD in Leadership and Administration, also from the University of Central Florida. Currently she is working on a Certification in Organizational Leadership from Harvard Business/Education schools. 

Throughout her career as an educator, Dr. Pierre has played many roles: Teacher, Department Head, District Curriculum and Assessment Writer, Curriculum and Instruction Director, Campus Director/Assistant Principal, and Consultant. In her current role of Principal, of an international High School in Bahrain, Dr. Pierre finds her passion and pedagogy being honed on a new stage. Although missing the classroom; she finds the development of teacher leaders, and the daily connections made with students as she participates in various classrooms in her school, invigorating, a daily reminder of why she chose to be an educator. 

Her passion for equity in education was the driving force in obtaining her MPA and continues to be on her mind as she advocates for children of color, as well as considers plans for a new charter school upon her return to the United States. In between time Dr. Pierre continues to satisfy her wanderlust, taking solo trips around the world; experiencing culture and education firsthand.