Learning While Black: Community forum
The series has received support from the Fund for Journalism on Child Well-Being, a program of USC's Center for Health Journalism.
Other stories in this series include:
One African American family, half a century of experience in SF public schools
How can San Francisco support its most vulnerable black residents? Help them succeed at school.
A legacy of mistreatment for San Francisco’s black special ed students
Learning While Black: Community forum
African American honor roll student says when teachers set the bar high, ‘you gotta go get it'
SFUSD program intervenes early to keep kids out of special ed for behavior
SFUSD fires up Bayview teachers in hopes they will stick around
A Landmark Lawsuit Aimed to Fix Special Ed for California's Black Students. It Didn’t.
G: The Miseducation of Larry P
Lead Plaintiff In Landmark Lawsuit Gets 2nd Chance At Education — At Age 60
A Decade Of Work Leads To Nearly 90 Percent Black Graduation Rate For SFUSD
State Audit Of Program For Homeless Students Finds Undercount, Lack Of Oversight
Panelists at the Learning While Black in SFUSD community forum
(Photo Credit: Joe R. Goyos/Support for Families of Children with Disabilites)
Community members came together on Thursday, March 21, for a forum and roundtable discussion of what it takes to navigate San Francisco Unified School District’s Special Education system and to develop an action plan to support African American students with learning differences.
The event took place at the African American Art and Culture Complex. It was hosted by SFUSD’s African American Parent Advisory Council and Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, and cosponsored by 100% College Prep, Bayview MAGIC, Black to the Future, Coleman Advocates, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, KALW, and Support for Families of Children with Disabilities. About 200 parents, educators, community organizers, activists, advocates, and school officials including SFUSD Superintendent Vincent Matthews attended.
San Francisco Human Rights Commission Executive Director Sheryl Evans Davis gave opening remarks, discussing how the treatment of African American students has long lasting consequences. She called for attendees to continue the discussion beyond this event.
Five people took part in a panel discussion about African American education experiences in SFUSD. One was Darryl Lester, the main plaintiff in the landmark Special Education case Larry P vs. California. Others discussed challenges they face in advocating for their children.
The event also included lively roundtable discussions and a resource fair featuring many of the events cosponsors. Childcare and translation services were provided.
It was inspired by reporting by KALW's Lee Romney, who is spending the school year exploring the experiences of African American students and families for an ongoing series Learning While Black: The Fight for Equity in San Francisco Schools.
[This story was originally published by KALW.]