Young Black Minnesotans are leaving the state for college and careers, seeking cultural access, professional growth, and creative opportunity they say is limited at home.
Black students
Posted inEducation
Monkey Sounds, “White Power” and the N-Word: Racial Harassment Against Black Students Ignored Under Trump
A ProPublica investigation finds federal civil rights enforcement has stalled as racial harassment of Black students continues unchecked in U.S. schools.
Posted inLocal & State
Black and Somali MCTC students call for solidarity
MCTC students speak out about fear, immigration enforcement, and why Black and Somali communities must stand together.
Posted inEducation
Minneapolis schools avoid strike, but staff wages still lag
Minneapolis teachers have voted to ratify a new contract and avert a strike, bringing relief to families worried about classroom disruptions. The agreement includes gains for adult education teachers and modest raises for some education support professionals, but ESPs say pay still lags far behind the cost of living. Educators warn that Black students and Black staff remain concentrated in under resourced roles and schools, and say the contract is only a first step toward real equity.
Posted inLet them Rise
Disabling the ‘school-to-prison pipeline’
Richard D. Terrell breaks down how the school to prison pipeline impacts Black boys and offers real strategies for schools, families and communities to disable the system. His column calls for shifting from punishment to restoration so Black boys can rise.
Posted inLocal & State
Cuts threaten federal support for children with disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education is exploring relocating its special education programs, weeks after the Trump administration laid off nearly all staff in the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), according to a department spokesperson. In a brief statement sent to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder’s media partner Word in Black, Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for […]
Posted inOpinion
Lifeline for Black student parents at risk
Last month, Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Katherine Clark reintroduced the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) Reauthorization Act to keep the program running through 2031 and increase its funding to $500 million annually. CCAMPIS is designed to help low-income student parents cover the cost of child care. It can fund on-campus or […]
Posted inEducation
For Black students, college affordability now at risk
Congress is considering a bill that could reduce Pell Grant funding for low-income students, potentially making it harder for Black, low-income students to afford a bachelor’s degree and discouraging them from pursuing higher education.
Posted inEducation
DEI attacks are backlash for Black progress
Black students are disproportionately impacted by the rollback of inclusion, equity and diversity policies, as they have made significant progress in high school graduation rates and are underrepresented on college campuses due to a lack of resources and funding in K-12 schools.
Posted inEducation
Why Free Tuition Alone Won’t Get Black Students Into Harvard
Elite colleges such as Harvard University are expanding access to their institutions, but the barriers for Black youth begin long before the Common App, with systemic inequality and wealth disparities making it difficult for them to compete.
Posted inEducation
Without Diversity and Inclusion Safeguards, More Black Students Risk Misclassification and Being Underserved
Black students are disproportionately represented in special education programs, often due to punitive measures rather than supportive ones, and are at risk of misclassification and inadequate support as the Department of Education faces potential dismantling.
Posted inEducation
AI in Schools: Revolution or Risk for Black Students?
AI is being rapidly integrated into classrooms nationwide, but its rapid adoption could exacerbate existing racial disparities and leave Black students without reliable access to technology, highlighting the need for careful consideration and inclusive policies.
Posted inEducation
Department of Education cuts have real consequences for Black students
The Trump administration’s cuts to the U.S. Department of Education have resulted in a significant reduction in resources for public education, disproportionately affecting Black students and other marginalized groups.
Posted inEducation
Black Students Face Disproportionate Discipline, Widening the Achievement Gap
Black students are facing harsher disciplinary measures than their White peers, contributing to long-term psychological and academic setbacks, and systemic reforms are necessary to create a safe and supportive learning environment for Black children.
Posted inEducation
Data in Danger: Why Civil Rights Reporting in Schools Matters
The Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) is a critical tool in the fight for equity in American schools, tracking disparities in educational access, and advocates fear that it could be next in line for dismantling under a new administration.
Posted inEducation
Advocates say micro-schools could boost Black students’ success
The National Association of Black Microschool Leaders (NABML), founded by Nicole Stewart-Jones, aims to empower Black educators and leaders within the micro-school movement, offering innovative and personalized learning environments for Black students.
Posted inEducation
Five Education Moments That Impacted Black Students in 2024
The year 2024 saw significant moments in the quest for educational equity for Black students, including the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the passing of laws restricting the teaching of AP African American Studies, persistent disparities in school discipline, racist text messages sent to Black students, and the nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education.
Posted inArts + Culture
Inspiring and uplifting books for Black K-12 students
During the holiday season, Black K-12 students can benefit from reading culturally relevant books that celebrate Black heritage and reinforce a positive Black identity, providing a sense of empowerment and belonging.
Posted inOpinion
Culturally relevant education needed now more than ever
Public school educators must become trained and prepared to create classrooms and learning experiences that center their students and honor who they are, as private schools and homeschools may not be a viable option for many Black parents.
Posted inEducation
Why expanding access to algebra is a matter of civil rights
Dallas ISD has implemented an innovative approach of having students automatically enrolled in honors math in middle school.