It shows that Black and Hispanic kids across the state are not meeting the standards for proficiency in reading and math.
“Most Hispanic and African American students go to a D or F school,” a spokesperson for the N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction told News 13. “Less than 20% of our low-income Hispanic, African American, and students of color are proficient.”
The most recent end-of-grade tests showed that 26% of Black kids knew how to do well on the same level as an Algebra I class. Literacy didn’t make things much better for Latino and African American kids.
Truitt told News13 that about 30% of them are good at reading. “That’s not enough.”
The DPI has set growth proficiency rates, but some schools aren’t meeting them. Some of those areas are where Oakley Elementary, Hendersonville Middle, and Erwin High School didn’t meet the state’s competency bar.
Trueitt says the state should do more to help those kids and the teachers who work with them.
She said, “At the state level, I’ve asked for more professional development for both principals and teachers on how to make sure all students get the help they need in school.”
At the same time that Truitt is asking politicians for help in the classroom, people are working to solve the problem outside. People who work at places like Read 2 Succeed Asheville/Buncombe.
Tuesday, the office’s new tutors were learning how to work with Black, poor, and other kids who want to improve their report cards.
Director of Read 2 Succeed, Ashley Allen, said, “Our nonprofit’s goal is to help close the opportunity gap based on race in the Asheville City and Buncombe County area.” “When almost everyone on staff is white, and mostly white teachers teach Black, Brown, or Latino students, there’s a barrier.”
That’s why Read 2 Succeed brings in teachers every school year. Allen told News13 that both Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools are looking for ways to add programs that will help.
“There have been calls for training, information, and awareness about cultural differences,” she said. “So, I believe that knowledge is always a story.” We believe in an environment here at Read 2 Succeed. We think that getting everyone on board is the only way to get a skilled reader.
It all starts at the state level with the answer.
Allen said, “We need to get our lawmakers to put more money into our kids.” “That’s how we have to vote.” These kids can do so much. They just need adults who show up every time, put money into them, and believe the best in them. Without a doubt, the needle will move.
Anyone of any race can become a teacher at Read 2 Succeed at any time.
“I’m glad people are behind this because literacy is such an important issue at the root level,” Allen said. “It changes homes, ways of making a living, and a lot of other things.”