Res. No. 702
Resolution calling upon the United States Department of Education to develop a comprehensive plan to close the achievement gap for Black males.
By Council Members Dickens, Brewer, Cabrera, Comrie, Ferreras, Fidler, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Mark-Viverito, Mendez, Palma, Van Bramer, Vann, Williams and Jackson
Whereas, Despite efforts to improve minority achievements through legislation and policy directives, an achievement gap not only remains, but continues to grow, and Black males in particular are at a greater risk of being left behind; and
Whereas, According to a recent study from the Council of the Great City Schools, entitled "A Call for Change: The Social and Educational Factors Contributing to the Outcomes of Black Males in Urban Schools," Black males continue to perform lower than their peers throughout the country in almost every indicator; and
Whereas, The study finds that only 12% of Black fourth grade males nationally, and 11% of those in central large cities are proficient in reading, according to National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEPP) standards; and
Whereas, In addition, these statistics show that only 9% of Black eighth grade males nationally and 8% in central large cities are proficient in reading; and
Whereas, According to the Schott Foundation for Public Education, New York State contains 3 of the 10 lowest performing large school districts, including New York City, for Black males with graduation rates near 25%; and
Whereas, Unfortunately, studies show that African American males are nearly twice as likely to drop out of high school; and
Whereas, Furthermore, academic achievement gaps lead to Black males scoring an average of 104 points lower on the SATs and being one-third as likely to meet college readiness benchmarks; and
Whereas, Sadly, in 2008, only 5% of African American males 18 years of age and older were accounted for in the college population while they accounted for 36% of the prison population; and
Whereas, The consequences of these gaps compound and widen as Black males age; and
Whereas, Unemployment amongst African American males ages 20 and older is at 17.3% nationwide as compared to 8.6% of White males in the same age group; and
Whereas, The achievement gap has long existed and these startling statistics point to the unacceptable reality of its consequences; and
Whereas, A national call to action is necessary to address and turn around the inequities confronted by Black males in our schools; and
Whereas, The United States Congress should lead the way by financing initiatives specifically designed to address this issue; and
Whereas, The United States Department of Education should promote an educational agenda which ensures that school districts will get needed support for an aggressive targeted campaign; and
Whereas, Any such campaign should also include Latino males as they too confront a wide achievement gap; and
Whereas, Addressing the glaring disparities is not only critical to our nation's well-being, it is also the country's moral obligation; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Department of Education to develop a comprehensive plan to close the achievement gap for Black males.
JP
LS 1818
2/15/11