If you’re a Black parent and have noticed your child struggling in school, then it’s likely that many thoughts quickly crossed your mind. You may wonder if it’s an issue with one of your child’s teachers, or if there’s something going on in your child’s personal life that may be affecting their ability to learn. You may even consider the possibility of race being a factor.
The sad truth is that there are indeed some disparities in educational success that can be linked to racial discrimination. Even many decades after the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, countless instances of unjust practices and unequal educational opportunities can still be seen throughout the country. But why is this the case? Shouldn’t society and the United States education system have progressed past this by now?
Here Are Some Stats
Unfortunately, there is still much work to be done. According to a study conducted by UNCF, a majority of African American students are less likely to have access to high school college-ready courses than white students. In 2011-12, only 57 percent of Black students were able to take a full range of math and science courses that were necessary for college readiness, compared to 81 percent of Asian American students, and 71 percent of white students.
Another study in the journal American Psychologist analyzed over 2,000 middle school students, with the results showing that nearly 26% of the Black students earned at least one suspension for a minor infraction over the course of their 3 years in middle school. This figure is especially distressing when compared to just 2% of white students that got a suspension for similar minor infractions. For reference, minor infractions were considered to include things like dress code violations, inappropriate language, or using a cell phone in class.
Yet another recent study, this one conducted by the Gallup and Lumina Foundation, demonstrated that Black college students have the lowest six-year completion rates for any kind of degree or certificate program of students in any other racial or ethnic group. The study also found that Black students have to deal with numerous challenges in order to complete post-secondary programs, with many of them not being a concern to students of other racial groups, including racial discrimination and higher education costs.
It was also shown that Black students in the least racially diverse college programs are much more likely to feel discriminated against or physically or psychologically unsafe in some way. In fact, among all post-secondary institutions, 21% of enrolled Black students said that they felt discriminated against on a frequent basis.
What Can Be Done?
So what can parents do about this?
All children, no matter their age, race, or economic background, should have complete access to all the classes and educational resources they need to succeed. They should never be treated differently or put in lower-level classes just because of their race. Whether it’s from other students, teachers, or other administrative staff, racial discrimination and unequal academic treatment are NOT okay.
If you suspect that your child is not receiving the quality of education that they deserve because of their race, report it to your child’s guidance counselor and principal immediately. Get in touch with the school board, and be sure to document all written correspondence with the school’s administration.
If your child is struggling in a specific class, see if they can record a few days of themselves in that class, so that there is audio and visual footage of any discrimination taking place. This is especially helpful if other Black parents have expressed complaints about a specific teacher.
Never be afraid to speak your mind if your child is not performing well in school, especially if there are no other factors that could be causing the poor performance. Make sure to do plenty of research on what other parents of color have previously said about a particular school or teacher.
Being aware of what a school and its staff are like in advance can help you and your child be fully prepared for their educational experience there, and allow you to make adjustments if necessary.
Your child deserves a safe and fulfilling education that helps them learn and grow. No matter their race, they should be treated just like everyone else, and be encouraged to reach their full academic potential, so that they can set themselves up for the happy and fruitful future they 100% deserve.