Maryland NAACP Confronts ‘Dreadful’ Black Student Outcomes by Calling Out State, Local Leaders

The Maryland NAACP called on state and local school leaders to save the dire situation unfolding in public schools, announcing plans to hold a conference later this month focused on developing strategies to help African-American students across the state.

“Although African American children have the potential to learn as others, the situation of African American students in public schools in Maryland continues to be intolerable. It has been a concern of the Maryland NAACP for some time,” a June 1 press release read.

“Lagging academic achievement, students graduating without necessary proficiency, breakdown in school discipline, inappropriate treatment of special education students, and school to prison pipeline are among ongoing issues plaguing too many of these students {snip}

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“The consequences are becoming more evident beyond schools in communities throughout the state,” the press release continued, later concluding by saying, if no progress is made to improve outcomes for Maryland’s African-American students, “other actions may be necessary and will have to be pursued.”

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At the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, 77% of students tested at an elementary-school reading level at Patterson High School in Baltimore {snip}

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