Calling for the City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings to analyze the adequacy of our public schools in preparing African American young men for college, and more importantly to share best practices with regard to improving current rates of college-bond African American young men in Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Our African American young men are in desperate need of support so that they can improve their educational outcomes. Demographically, African American males make up about 25% of the School District’s makeup, but proportionately not nearly enough African American men from Philadelphia earn a college degree each year; and

WHEREAS, However, there are pockets of success in the City. Boys Latin Charter School, a predominately African American male school, has sent 85% of their graduates to college, and expect at least 50% of their second graduating class to earn bachelor’s degrees, well above the average City wide; and

WHEREAS, Too often, African American young men struggle to complete high school, let alone earn secondary degrees. Knowing the economic and social implications of not earning a college degree in today’s society, it is unacceptable that our City cannot produce better results for these young men; and

WHEREAS, According to Pew Research Center, the cost of not going to college increased by 133% from 1965 to 2013. The economic disparity continues to grow as fewer and fewer jobs are being created for those with only a high school diploma, and those with college degrees earn 43-82% more than those with only a high school diploma; and

WHEREAS, If they are shut out from higher education, African American Men will never be able to achieve economic and social equality. A long overdue movement is needed to bring light to this issue and to call this problem by its true name: a civil rights issue; and

WHEREAS, There is a need for all sectors of society: educators, parents and community leaders to come together to resolve this educational crisis. Our African American young men have waited long enough, let us all bring our ideas, energy and drive, so that we can truly show that #blackdegreesmatter; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the City Council Committee on Education hold hearings to analyze the adequacy of our public schools in preparing African American young men for college, and more importantly to share best practices with regard to improving current rates of college-bond African American young men in Philadelphia.

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