Under Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) US Department of Education designation, African American students have historically been invisible and their learning needs continue to go unmet under the current policy. As a result, they experience INEQUITY in education at a higher rate in Nevada. Proficiency gaps reflect African American students in Nevada test in the bottom 25%, the lowest of any other racial group in the state. In spite of this statistic, some students achieve and go on to pursue their education and career goals.
When we started this initiative to bring awareness to this group of students during the 2009 Nevada legislative session, little was being done to ensure equity for these students categorically. It seemed the system was caught in a time warp where it was still the opinion of decision makers that Black students only attended schools in the historical west side of Las Vegas. We've now identified schools where these students attend, collecting data, implementing strategies, and educating the community about the needs of this student population. With hard work and the dedication of CCBC members, education and community advocates and organizations, business community, local policy makers, state legislators, and the NV Governor, the 2015 legislative session was a year of reform and for the first time categorically state funding was provided to students in poverty with a goal to address African American student needs with Victory Schools.
Early results are extremely promising and with other key reforms, we're headed in the right direction but we've got a long journey ahead after generations of neglect. These students can't do it alone, they need your help to bring them from out of the shadows and finally address the proficiency gaps created by broken policy and an education system inaccessible to so many students of color.
When we started this initiative to bring awareness to this group of students during the 2009 Nevada legislative session, little was being done to ensure equity for these students categorically. It seemed the system was caught in a time warp where it was still the opinion of decision makers that Black students only attended schools in the historical west side of Las Vegas. We've now identified schools where these students attend, collecting data, implementing strategies, and educating the community about the needs of this student population. With hard work and the dedication of CCBC members, education and community advocates and organizations, business community, local policy makers, state legislators, and the NV Governor, the 2015 legislative session was a year of reform and for the first time categorically state funding was provided to students in poverty with a goal to address African American student needs with Victory Schools.
Early results are extremely promising and with other key reforms, we're headed in the right direction but we've got a long journey ahead after generations of neglect. These students can't do it alone, they need your help to bring them from out of the shadows and finally address the proficiency gaps created by broken policy and an education system inaccessible to so many students of color.
