Black Students in Sacramento Face Setbacks, According to New Report

On May 20, over 100 individuals convened at the Sacramento County Board of Education to discuss the disheartening findings of the Black Student Achievement Landscape Analysis report. This comprehensive assessment, initiated in fall 2023, revealed that Black students across several districts face significant challenges, including low academic performance, frequent absenteeism, and racial discrimination in schools. Vanessa Caigoy, a trustee, emphasized her disappointment that these persistent issues echo her own high school experience, questioning the lack of rigorous intervention strategies.During the meeting, trustees debated the necessity of mandating school districts to implement effective changes linked to their budget plans. They proposed continuous training on anti-bias and inclusivity. Dr. Stacy Ault, founder of the Race and Gender Project, highlighted the importance of school systems rebuilding trust with communities. Recent graduate Heaven’Le James and third-year student Aziza Williams echoed the need for genuine belief in Black students to foster improvement and inspire lasting change.