Saving our boys of color
Together, we can demand and ensure that the following action plans are implemented for our children and students:
- Preschool teachers can be trained to work with children in ways that eliminate excessive and inequitable expulsions of black boys (as documented by Walter Gilliam).
- Early childhood and primary education teachers can be trained to provide the foundations of literacy and learning for all students without regard to family background (as is the case in the Montgomery County, Maryland public schools).
- Special education programs can be set up in ways that eliminate excessive and inequitable classifications of black male students, and school districts can be held accountable for these processes.
- School discipline policies can be designed and implemented so as to eliminate excessive and inequitable disciplinary actions (including arrests) for black male students.
- All schools, from preschool to high school, can teach character education and critical thinking skills.
- Laws and law-enforcement policies can be designed and implemented so as to eliminate excessive and inequitable imprisonment for young black males.
- Secondary school curricula in schools serving black students can be designed to ensure that all students engage in high-level academic literacy, math and science courses and are prepared for college-level study.
- All post-secondary institutions must be held accountable to recruit, support, retain and graduate black students at or above the rate of white male students.
- Colleges and university programs that have achieved exceptional results for black male students should be recognized and published as examples of the desired outcome and have their best practices implemented in other schools.
