California Charter Schools Serving Black Students with Excellence, Building the Next Generation of Black Leaders
By Myrna Castrejón, President & CEO, California Charter Schools Association
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month recognizing the achievements and contributions to our country by the African American community, the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) released a report — Serving Black Students With Excellence: California Charter Schools Working to Close Opportunity Gaps — that highlights both the important work and creative approaches that charter public schools have utilized to boost the performance of Black students and areas where there is still more work to do.
The CCSA report profiles the methods educators are using to make a positive difference in the lives of kids across the Golden State. It shows how their charter public schools are preparing the next generation of Black leaders to be positioned to make history in the field they choose.
Nearly 50,000 Black students in California now attend a charter public school — a number that has steadily risen over the past ten years. California charter public schools are built on the belief that every student should have the chance to go to a great school that puts their needs first, regardless of zip code, income or academic ability level. An increasing number of California parents are choosing charter public schools because of their diversity which mirrors traditional district schools.
In the state’s seven major school districts, Black charter school students are academically outperforming their peers in traditional public schools based on the state’s Distance From Standard metric in 2018–19. This is true for both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. State data also shows Black charter students are completing a-g coursework at a higher rate than their traditional school peers (15% for Black charter students versus 43% for Black students).
The report also finds that the suspension rate for Black charter students is lower (4% for charter students versus 9% for traditional students) and are less likely to be chronically absent (17% for charter students versus 23% for traditional students).
However, the report also finds that Black students at public schools, regardless of charter or traditional are less likely to complete a-g coursework, less likely to be prepared on the College/Career Indicator (CCI) and graduate at a lower rate than the overall student population.
Addressing the academic performance of Black students in California is one such area where charter schools are seeing success according to the report. Recognizing the disproportionate opportunity gaps, California charter public schools are actively working to boost the performance of Black students, ensuring they make progress towards grade-level proficiency and leave school prepared for college and career. With increased flexibility and autonomy, along with parent and community partnerships, charter schools have been adapting new strategies.
Four charter public schools that are profiled in our report as “bright spots” — shining examples of excellence and could serve as a model for other schools. Each of these schools serves Black students who are performing in the 75th percentile or higher for Black students statewide on the CAASPP.
The schools that are profiled follow three distinct principles which have led to their success: high expectations, academic rigor, and educators of color. The schools profiled are:
- Wilder’s Preparatory Academy Charter (K-5), Inglewood
- Wilder’s Preparatory Academy Middle (6–8), Inglewood
- Pasadena Rosebud Academy (K-8), Altadena
- Sacramento Charter High School (9–12), Sacramento
I’m proud of the work California charter schools are doing to advance educational opportunities for all students. The four exceptional schools highlighted in Serving Black Students With Excellence: California Charter Schools Working to Close Opportunity Gaps are leading the way in the effort to close opportunity gaps for Black students. There are many lessons to be learned and shared from the successes of their students.
Celebrating Black History Month is a time to reflect and honor the past, but it is also an opportunity to recommit ourselves to supporting the next generation of history makers.
