The St. Louis NAACP is taking a stand against the literacy crisis facing Black students in Missouri schools. A federal civil rights complaint was filed against 34 public school districts and charter networks for the low literacy rates among students, especially highlighting the disparity between Black and white students’ reading scores.
The president of the St. Louis NAACP chapter, Adolphus M. Pruitt, urged the U.S. Department of Education to intervene and address this long-standing issue, calling it a civil rights concern. The complaint aims to prompt action and improvement in how children, especially Black children, are educated.
Amidst disturbing data showing the consequences of low literacy rates, organizations like Black Men Read in St. Louis are stepping up to challenge these statistics. President Keyon Watkins, driven by personal loss and a mission to break generational curses, launched a tutoring program to help children improve their reading skills.
Literacy challenges are not limited to St. Louis but are a nationwide issue, as highlighted by CEO Diana Greene. The pandemic aggravated educational disparities, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive literacy instruction that embraces diverse learners.
Efforts like the “Right to Read” campaign and organizations like Black Men Read demonstrate a commitment to addressing literacy challenges and empowering communities through education.
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