African Americans & Education
The promise of a quality education is an important civil and human right that has yet to be fully realized in the American public education system. African Americans are more likely to attend high-poverty schools—that is, public schools where more than 75 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch—and are less likely to graduate from high school and subsequently attend college at rates lower than any other racial group.
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The overall goal of the NAACP National Education Department is to ensure that all students have access to an equal and high-quality public education by eliminating all education related racial and ethnic disparities. Through advocacy training, policy development and guidance, building collaborative networks, and direct action, the National Education Department works to accomplish this goal with assistance from NAACP regional directors, state and local education committee chairs as well as our Partners in Education.
Ensuring School Resource Equity: Quality public education for African American and Latino students is persistently threatened as a direct result of inequitable school funding. Generally, wealthy school districts have higher per pupil expenditures than high poverty districts. The NAACP is committed to working with local education agencies to reduce resource disparities by 50%.
Increasing Teacher Quality: Schools with heavy concentrations of minority students have an average of 78% of math teachers teaching outside of their subject area. The NAACP is committed not only to ensuring that minority children are taught by qualified teachers, but we are also committed to ensuring that teachers receive the supports necessary to do their jobs effectively.
Promoting Parent and Family Engagement: Research has established that sustained parental involvement is critical to the educational success of children. Unfortunately, black families are less likely to manage the amount of time their children spend reading, doing homework or watching TV. The NAACP is committed to helping parents become more directly engaged in their education of the children.
Enhancing Early Childhood and Literacy Initiatives: Early childhood education has been shown to be an important predictor of future academic and emotional success for children. Still, far too many minority children start kindergarten performing far below their potential as a result of their inability to access quality early childhood education programs. The NAACP is committed to enhancing early learning opportunities for all students.
National Call for Action in Education State Equity Plans
The NAACP Call for Action recently called on states to develop a five-year plan to reduce education-related racial disparities by fifty percent. Each state was provided with a web-based template to integrate the elements described in the Call for Action, into measurable and quantifiable indicators and milestones designed to reduce racial disparities and close the achievement gap. To date, twenty-three states have submitted equity plans to the NAACP, ten states refused to submit plans, and seventeen states never responded to the NAACP request.
Opposition to School Voucher Programs
The NAACP has a long standing policy of opposing school voucher programs based on the premise that these programs use public funds to support private and/or parochial education. Moreover, voucher programs may hasten the abandonment of public schools while leaving behind the majority of low-income students of color. To that end, the NAACP recently expressed its strong opposition to a Utah legislative proposal to expand voucher programs. The National office is continuing to work through the Utah NAACP leadership in collaboration with several local and national partners to safeguard public education by resisting vouchers.
Scholarship Program:
The NAACP is a leading advocate of equal access to quality education. In an effort to promote and ensure higher education opportunities for minority youth, the NAACP offers the following national scholarships: Earl G. Graves Scholarship, Agnes Jones Scholarship, Historically Black College & Universities Scholarship Fund, Lillian and Samuel Sutton Scholarship, Roy Wilkins scholarship, and the Hubertus W.V. Willems Scholarship. These awards help eliminate financial difficulties that may hinder students’ higher education goals. Scholarship award amounts range from $1,000 - $5,000 and are disbursed in two installments throughout a specified school year. Each scholarship contains its own set of requirements and students are encouraged to apply for each award that aligns with their eligibility.
Daisy Bates Education Summit
The Daisy Bates Education Summit is convened biennially in honor of Mrs. Daisy Bates, former president of the Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP and advisor to the “Little Rock Nine.” The conference is designed to bring together students, teachers, parents, administrators, researchers, policymakers, and social justice advocates
NAACP Scholarship Information Packet
TAKE ACTION
NAACP EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RELATED QUESTIONS
Q: How can I contact the National Education Department?
A: See the contact information below
Q: Can the NAACP help me file an education-related complaint?
A: Yes. You need to first contact your local branch and fill out a “Complaint of Discrimination in Education” form. Upon receiving your complaint form, the local branch will initiate an investigation by seeking a meeting with the accused agency. If the accused agency is unwilling to meet, the local branch may assist you with filing your complaint with the state or federal Office of Civil Rights (OCR). If OCR has not responded to your complaint within 180 days, your complaint will be submitted to the NAACP National Director of Education through the Regional Director with a recommendation for action.
Q: How do I join the NAACP?
A: See the NAACP Membership Page
SCHOLARSHIPS
Q: How do I apply for an NAACP Scholarship?
A: Applicants may apply for our scholarships by clicking HERE. You may also contact the United Negro College Fund directly at the address listed below:
The United Negro College Fund
Scholarships and Grants Administration
8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive
Fairfax, VA 22031
Atten: Kimberly Hall
703-205-3400
Q. Who is eligible for NAACP scholarships?
A: NAACP scholarships are awarded on an annual basis to any graduating high school seniors, current college students or graduate students.
Q. What are the main requirements of the scholarships?
Each scholarship requires applicants to be a US citizen attending an accredited college or university.
Q: Do I have to be a member of the NAACP to in order to be eligible for the various scholarships?
A: While some of the scholarships do require you to be a member, others specify that membership is “highly desirable.”
Q: When do I apply for NAACP scholarships?
A: Applications will be accepted beginning in October of each school year.
Q: When is the scholarship deadline?
A: The scholarship deadline for all NAACP scholarships is always the last Friday in March.
Q: Does the Education Department offer funding, loans or grant money towards education?
A: Unfortunately, we are unable to assist with educational funding, grants or loans.
For more information, contact:
The United Negro College Fund
Scholarships and Grants Administration
8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive
Fairfax, VA 22031
Attn: Kimberly Hall
703-205-3400
NAACP National Headquarters
4805 Mount Hope Drive
Baltimore, MD 21215
Telephone: 410-580-5760
NAACP National Headquarters
4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore MD 21215
Toll Free:
(877) NAACP-98
Local:
(410) 580-5777
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All Rights Reserved