The White House Initiative

on Educational Excellence

for African Americans

“In today’s global economy, 

a high-quality education 

is no longer just a pathway 

to opportunity—it is a 

prerequisite to success.”

 

—President Barack Obama

Education Summits: Supporting Excellence From 

Birth Through College Completion

As a nation we have long held fast to the belief that education paves 

the pathway to the American Dream—to the opportunities and 

experiences that help Americans attain good jobs that provide the 

means to succeed, care for a family and fully participate in a community. In 

the African American community in particular, high-quality education and 

developmental opportunities have helped us create jobs and new industries, 

and overcome income and social gaps, as well as other critical challenges. 

Students at any age, from birth through adulthood, deserve opportunities 

that enable them to be successful at school and prepare for careers they 

desire, and that will support them and their families. 

The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African 

Americans (Initiative) is working with individuals and organizations 

throughout the country to highlight and share effective national and local 

programs, policies, and practices that support the development and success 

of African American students. Summits featuring this work, described 

in this document, take place at postsecondary institutions and with 

community-based organizations throughout the country.

To register, and for summit agendas or additional information, visit 

www.ed.gov/AfAmEducation/.

h W ti e House nI itiative on Educational Excellence for African Amer ci na s Summits on

THE WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE ON 

EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE 

FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS

Educational Excellence 

for African Americans

Contact us:

 : @AfAmEducation

 : AfAmEducation @ed.gov

: OfficialAfAmEd

:@OfficialAfAmED
“It is easier to build strong 

children than to repair 

broken men.”

—Frederick Douglass

Key Components of Excellence

Equity 

Equity in education is vital because equality of opportunity is a core American 

value. Young people in this country—regardless of wealth, home language, zip code, 

gender, sexual preference, race or disability—must have the chance to learn and 

achieve. Education must provide a path to a thriving middle class for all who are 

willing to work hard. Yet, today, far too many students, especially in underserved 

communities, lack robust access to the core elements of a quality education. That 

includes high-quality preschool, strong teachers and school leaders, rigorous course 

offerings, high standards, robust enrichment both in and outside of school, safe 

environments, the support of caring adults, and affordable higher education.

Did you know that at a time when STEM knowledge is 

essential for 21st-century jobs: 

• A recent study of the computer science Advanced Placement exam found that, 

in 11 states, no African-American students took the exam and that, in eight 

states, no Hispanic students took it. 

The Obama administration aims to improve outcomes for underserved students 

through its major education initiatives by supporting states in their efforts to ensure 

quality teaching in every classroom and school leaders in every school building; raise 

standards for all students; build systems to improve instruction; and significantly 

improve chronically low-performing schools. These aims underlie foundational 

programs, such as those funded through Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities 

Education Act (IDEA), as well as competitive funding programs developed by this 

administration, including Race to the Top, Promise Neighborhoods, and Investing 

in Innovation. ESEA flexibility has improved on past policies under the No Child 

Left Behind Act by giving states flexibility to more accurately target the schools most 

in need of improvement through truly meaningful interventions. Additionally, 

the president’s Ladders of Opportunity and Promise Zones initiatives aim to make 

rapid, positive changes in communities of concentrated poverty. Visit the following 

websites to learn more about these funding sources.

Title I: www2.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/index.html

Race to the Top: www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/index.html

Promise Neighborhoods: www2.ed.gov/programs/promiseneighborhoods/index.

html

Investing in Innovation: www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html

ESEA Flexibility: www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/index.html
Quality Early Learning

Learning begins at birth and the preparation for learning starts well before 

birth. High-quality early education and development gives every student 

a chance to succeed in school and life. We know this from research and 

experience and, still, too many African American children, especially from 

families with low incomes, are not enrolled in such programs. Missed 

early learning and development opportunities result in more time and 

money spent later trying to catch up.

Did you know:

• Much of the achievement gap we see between different groups of 

children develops well before they enter kindergarten. And it is more 

difficult to close than it is to prevent. 

• 74 percent of students who cannot read well by the end of third grade 

do not do well in later grades and often drop out before earning a high 

school diploma.

President Barack Obama, recognizing the importance of early childhood 

education, has developed a plan to make sure every child has access 

to high-quality education. Learn about it at www.whitehouse.gov/

blog/2013/02/14/high-quality-early-education-all-children/.

Parents and caregivers are the first teacher a child has. To learn about what 

quality early learning looks like and where to find it, consider the following 

resources:

• National Black Child Development Institute at www.nbcdi.org

Report: Being Black Is Not A Risk Factor at www.nbcdi.org/sites/

default/files/resource-files/Being%20Black%20Is%20Not%20a%20

Risk%20Factor_0.pdf 

• National Association for the Education of Young Children at 

www.naeyc.org

• Head Start at www.acf.hhs.gov/

• National Head Start Association at www.nhsa.org

• National Institute for Early Education Research at www.nieer.org

• Report : Equity and Excellence: African-American Children’s Access to 

Quality Preschool at nieer.org/sites/nieer/files/Equity and Excellence 

African-American Children’s Access to Quality Preschool_0

53% percent of African American 

fourth-graders and

44% percent of African American 

eighth-graders read below grade level.

53%

44%

EIGHTH-GRADERS

FOURTH-GRADERS

READING BELOW GRADE LEVEL

FROM BIRTH UNTIL AGE 5 

A CHILD’S BRAIN DEVELOPS 

MORE THAN AT ANY 

OTHER PERIOD IN LIFE.
K–12 Reforms

Today, the United States has one of the highest high school dropout rates in the 

world. We have been seeing breakthroughs in closing gaps in graduation rates 

between students of color and their white counterparts, but recognize we have 

a long way to go. Among students who do complete high school and go on to 

college, nearly half require remedial courses, and nearly half never graduate. 

Yet in today’s world, a college degree or advanced certificate increasingly 

represents the entry ticket to rewarding careers. Likewise, our graduates will 

compete against the smartest young people from across the globe. To meet 

that challenge, President Obama set two ambitious goals: One, that by 2020 

the United States would once again lead the world in college completion; and, 

two, that every student would receive at least one year of college or specialized 

training after high school.

The key initiative in this K–12 reform effort has been the Race to the Top 

program, which has provided more than $4 billion to support and spotlight 

some of the most promising ideas to improve education. These include 

comprehensive reform strategies based on college- and career-ready academic 

standards and assessments, increased use of data, having great teachers and 

principals in every school, and an intense focus on turning around the lowestperforming schools. 

Building on this momentum, President Obama has proposed to deepen 

reforms through investments in strategic areas where states and school 

districts face key implementation challenges. He has also proposed to continue 

substantial investments in critical formula grant programs that support state 

and local reform efforts. It is important to strengthen these investments. The 

following represent these investments:

• Early learning:America’s middle class promise begins early: www.ed.gov/

early-learning

• K-12 reforms: www.ed.gov/k-12reforms

• High school redesign and career readiness: www.ed.gov/highschool

• Supporting effective teaching and strengthening school leadership: 

www.ed.gov/teachers-leaders

• Transforming teaching and leading: www.ed.gov/teaching

• School safety: www.ed.gov/school-safety

• Turning around the lowest-performing schools: www2.ed.gov/programs/

sif/index.html

• College and Career Ready Standards: www.corestandards.org/about-thestandards/frequently-asked-questions/ and all4ed.org/issues/commoncore-state-standards

• White House Job Resource site: www.whitehouse.gov/economy/jobs/

youthjobs

• Department of Labor Summer Youth Jobs site: webapps.dol.gov/

summerjobs

• Job Corps: www.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx

• Equity and Opportunity: www.ed.gov/equity
STEM

The United States has become a global leader, in large part, through the 

genius and hard work of its scientists, engineers and innovators. Yet, 

today, that position is threatened as comparatively few American students 

pursue expertise in the fields of science, technology, engineering and 

mathematics (STEM)—and by an inadequate pipeline of teachers skilled in 

those subjects. President Obama has articulated a clear priority for STEM 

education: Within a decade, he says, American students must "move from 

the middle to the top of the pack in science and math." 

Specifically, he has called on the nation to develop, recruit and retain 

100,000 excellent STEM teachers over the next 10 years. He also has asked 

colleges and universities to graduate an additional 1 million students with 

STEM majors. These improvements in STEM education will happen only 

if Hispanics, African Americans, and other underrepresented groups in 

the STEM fields—including women, people with disabilities, and firstgeneration Americans—participate and succeed.

Some useful STEM education resources:

• STEM programs at ED: www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/green-strides/

stem.html

• Committee on STEM Education (CoSTEM): www.whitehouse.gov/

administration/eop/ostp/nstc/committees/costem

• “Educate to Innovate” Campaign for Excellence in Science, 

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education: 

www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-expandseducate-innovate-campaign-excellence-science-technology-eng

• Federal STEM Education 5-year Strategic Plan: www.whitehouse.gov/

sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/stem_stratplan_2013.pdf

Did you know: 

• In 2009, in STEM fields, blacks received only 

7 percent of bachelor’s degrees, 4 percent of 

master’s degrees and 2 percent of doctorates.

• In 2011, 6 percent of STEM workers were 

black, increasing from 2 percent in 1970.

• In 2011, women with a science or engineering 

bachelor’s degree who were employed fulltime, year-round in STEM occupations earned 

$16,300 more per year than women who had a 

bachelor’s degree in science or engineering but 

were not employed in STEM occupations.

Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_102.htm
College and Career Readiness

President Obama has set two ambitious goals: That all adult 

Americans pursue at least one year of higher education or career 

training, and that America regain its role as the world leader 

in college completion. The president’s plan to reinvent high 

schools and strengthen federal Career and Technology Education 

programs will support these goals.

For more information about the president’s 2020 higher 

education goal for the nation, visit www.whitehouse.gov/reachhigher/.

Become an Educator

Teaching matters. Education is a big part of who we are as a 

nation. Having a great teacher and school leader makes a big 

difference in how well students perform in school and in life. 

Did you know:

• While 16 percent of students in the U.S. identify as 

African American, only 7 percent of teachers identify as 

African American. 

• Less than 2 percent of the nation’s educators are African 

American men. 

EVERYONE can support a 

college completion culture 

in the African American 

community in three ways.

1. Talk to children and youths about 

the fact that they CAN go to and 

graduate from college.

The children you know must believe 

they are smart enough to graduate from 

college. Engage them in discussions about 

life on campus and the benefits of higher 

education. Ask parents and guardians if 

they believe the children in their lives can 

go to college. If they say no, hold the belief 

for them until you help them understand 

all children are capable of meeting high 

expectations.

2. Take students to visit colleges and 

universities. 

Chances are there is an institution of 

higher education in your community or 

city. Plan a trip to campus—walk around, 

talk to students, eat on campus, and 

help young people imagine learning and 

growing in college.

3. Support students. 

Cost should not prevent African American 

students from achieving their dreams of 

attaining a high-quality education. Make 

sure students know about the college 

preparation and financial aid resources 

available at StudentAid.gov.

YOU have the ability to make a 

real difference in the world. YOU 

can stand in the gap and support 

African American educational 

excellence. Will YOU get engaged?

Visit Teach.org to find pathways into teaching, and www.ed.gov/teaching to 

find scholarships and other sources of support. 

Become a Mentor

Chances are you can think of at least one caring adult—a mentor, teacher, 

neighbor, coach—who played a positive role in shaping your future. YOU 

too can make the difference in the life of a child or young adult by providing a 

positive and constant source of support. 

Join the White House Initiative in our effort to recruit 10,000 mentors to 

support educational excellence for African American children throughout the 

country by visiting www.ed.gov/AfAmEducation/.

Learn More About the Initiative

To learn more about the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence 

for African Americans and our efforts to support students, schools, and 

communities, visit www.ed.gov/AfAmEducation, follow us on Twitter 

@AfAmEducation and on Instagram @OfficialAfAmED, or like our 

Facebook page, OfficialAfAmEd. 

Help spread the word: Do you know of a person, program, or policy 

supporting learning and development opportunities that represent educational 

excellence for African American students, schools, or communities? 

Share the news with us so we can let others know. Email information to 

AfAmEducation@ed.gov with “Good News” in the subject line.