Fortune School’s Summit Aims to Advance Equity for Black Students in California

As California confronts the alarming trend of Black students lagging behind academically, experts stress the need for a deeper cultural understanding among educators and administrators, as findings indicate it would lead to improved outcomes for these students. At the recent 20th annual Black in Schools Summer Institute, keynote speaker Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, an emerita professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, emphasized the importance of solidarity among Black educators, families, and students. “In our current political climate, it’s vital that we connect with others who share our mission,” she noted, addressing nearly 150 participants. The event, hosted by Fortune Schools for the first time after 19 years at Stanford, focused on strategies to bridge the African American achievement gap. Key insights were shared on using targeted funding and innovative teaching methods to boost academic achievement for Black students, reinforcing the necessity of ongoing professional development in education.