The NAACP has expressed concern over the literacy crisis facing Black students in St. Louis schools.
Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis NAACP branch, held a press conference on August 20 to address the dire situation faced by Black students in the city’s schools. The poor outcomes experienced by these students have compelled Pruitt to take action, resulting in the filing of a civil rights complaint against the school districts.
In a recent interview with the St. Louis Dispatch, Pruitt emphasized the literary crisis by filing a complaint against 34 school districts in both St. Louis city and county.
Pruitt expressed his concern about the literacy crisis in the St. Louis region during a press conference held in his office. He highlighted the issues with reading in all the districts, including charter schools, based on their analysis. Pruitt expressed his hope for reaching an agreement with the districts to establish and achieve goals, emphasizing the importance of not letting these children fail. Furthermore, he expressed his desire for meaningful discussions among the U.S. Department of Education, the NAACP, and the individual school districts to set goals and address this pressing issue.
In 2023, activist Chester Asher raised concerns about the education system of St. Louis Public Schools at a board meeting. He pointed out that the system was not focused on providing quality education to the Black students it was responsible for teaching (CBS Austin).
Asher passionately expressed their disagreement with the school board, firmly stating that they will not tolerate any superficial discussions or remain silent while the path towards imprisonment is being paved. They called out the board for praising themselves while ignoring the alarming reality of black students being disproportionately affected by the flawed education system. According to Asher, this systemic failure leads to a devastating accumulation of black lives lost.
Asher criticized the citywide plan, stating that it lacks clarity and guidance. He emphasized that the low state test scores serve as a constant reminder of the government’s neglect, and stressed the urgent need for accountability in order to improve the outcomes for children and communities.
According to data provided by the government of the City of St. Louis, it appears that the education system in the city is plagued with disparities. As stated on the website, “Black students are less likely to demonstrate proficiency at important stages like third grade for reading and sixth grade for math. The lack of foundational skills acquired early on makes it increasingly challenging for these students to reach subsequent learning milestones.”
According to the St. Louis NAACP, the site also supports their concerns about the low number of schools where Black students are meeting the state requirements for Math and English.
In St. Louis, only a handful of schools manage to have their students meet state standards for both Math and English. However, it is concerning to note that black children are less likely than white children to attend these higher-performing schools. Furthermore, black children often find themselves in schools where there is a higher rate of teacher absenteeism and a larger percentage of teachers who are new to the profession.
St. Louis parents are expressing their concerns about school districts not giving enough attention to the Black students under their care, as reported by Fox 2.
Anthony Dorsey, a concerned parent, expressed his frustration with the way his child’s grades were being manipulated, specifically in the area of reading scores. According to Dorsey, his child is capable of reading college-level books and other advanced texts, yet the school claims that she is reading below her grade level. Dorsey finds this assertion absurd and believes it is high time for educational institutions to prioritize the needs of their students and the communities they serve.
KIPP Schools, in response to the actions of the NAACP, issued a statement expressing their support and defending the measures they have implemented for the betterment of their students.
KIPP Schools expressed their support for the NAACP’s mission to enhance the literacy abilities of Black and Brown students. They highlighted the significant progress their students achieved with the implementation of a new reading curriculum during the previous year. The dedicated teachers at KIPP Schools are excited to continue building upon this positive momentum in the upcoming school year.