5 Good Things Happening for Black Kids

December 4, 2025

An education reporter reflects on the persistent challenges facing Black K-12 students, including racial bias in advanced course placement, funding cuts, disproportionate discipline, and chronic absenteeism, while highlighting five positive developments for 2025. Organizations are working to recruit more Black male teachers, who comprise only 1% of educators but significantly improve outcomes for Black boys. PBS has revived the beloved children's literacy program Reading Rainbow with a new host, Black students' four-year graduation rates have climbed to 81%, SNAP benefits have resumed after a government shutdown threatened food security, and Black college applications have increased 12% despite Supreme Court restrictions on affirmative action.

Who is affected

Black K-12 students in the public school system
Black boys specifically (regarding Black male teachers)
Black households with children experiencing food insecurity (14% rate)
Black high school students graduating (81% on-time graduation rate)
Black students applying to college (15% of applicant pool)
Low-income students attending Title I schools
Young readers and children viewers of Reading Rainbow

What action is being taken

Several organizations are working to increase the number of Black men in the teaching workforce
PBS has returned Reading Rainbow to the air with new host Mychal Threets, who reads children's books on YouTube
Some schools have set up food pantries to help feed families in need
SNAP benefits have been restarted following the resolution of the government shutdown

Why it matters

This matters because Black students face systemic obstacles including racial bias, funding inequities, and disproportionate discipline that create significant barriers to educational success. The positive developments highlighted demonstrate that despite these challenges, progress is possible through targeted interventions like recruiting Black male teachers who bring cultural understanding and reduce dropout rates, supporting literacy through accessible programming, improving graduation rates, ensuring food security so students can focus on learning, and maintaining college access despite legal restrictions on affirmative action. These achievements show resilience and provide hope for continued advancement in an education system that historically has not prioritized Black student success.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint