By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Eighteen-year-old Kenneth Dorsey of Cherry Hill hopes to attend college to study mechanical engineering and establish his own home renovation business, spending hours studying trades on YouTube. But statistics show that he’ll grow up to earn less than his White peers because of his race, even if they come from […]
Category: Education
Posted inEducation
Education Dept. scrambles as civil rights backlog explodes
The U.S. Department of Education is urgently recalling hundreds of Office for Civil Rights employees—fired during a March reduction-in-force—to return on Dec. 15 as unresolved civil rights complaints soar past 25,000. The sudden move follows months of staffing turmoil, ongoing litigation, and a near-collapse of OCR’s capacity, leaving students and families facing long delays in discrimination investigations.
Posted inBaltimore News
Public hearings set for Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys
The Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys, which serves hundreds of Baltimore city boys from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, is facing potential closure in 2026, prompting a press conference and two public hearings to discuss the matter.
Posted inCommentary
Reframing autism in D.C. schools: From label to understanding
By Nicole A. Wynn In a busy Washington, D.C. classroom, a student rocks gently in his chair, hands over his ears. The teacher assumes he’s being defiant and calls his name sharply. In reality, the fluorescent lights and echoing voices have overwhelmed his senses. This scene plays out daily in schools across the District not […]
Posted inNational News
Dr. Rod Paige, the first African American to serve as secretary of education, dies at 92
The AFRO sends condolences to the family and all those who knew and loved Dr. Rod Paige, the first Black leader to serve as the secretary of education. Paige died at 92 years old on Dec. 9.
Posted inEducation
Community members fight to keep Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys open
Baltimore Collegiate faces possible closure in 2026 as the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners prepares to vote on its charter renewal. Supporters argue the all-boys school boosts academic success and disrupts the school-to-prison pipeline for Baltimore’s Black boys.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Creating the next generation of change makers: A look at D.C.’s Social Justice Charter School
By Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor At Washington D.C.’s Social Justice Charter School, social justice is a concept that extends beyond a classroom or a unit studied in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Social justice is the theme that permeates the entire school, influencing every aspect of classroom and school activities. Since 2020, […]
Posted inHBCU
Delaware State University partnership with Risepoint expands online degree access
Delaware State University has partnered with education technology company Risepoint to expand access to flexible, workforce-focused online degrees through eHBCU, the nation’s only Black online higher-education consortium. The collaboration advances eHBCU’s mission to bring the pride, community and opportunity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to learners regardless of location, with new programs expected to launch in Fall 2026.
Posted inEducation
Meharry Medical College receives $1 million investment
Meharry Medical College’s School of Applied Computational Sciences has received a $1 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to advance medical education and promote health equity through technology. The funding will support initiatives like augmented and virtual reality integration, community partnerships, and interdisciplinary training, strengthening the College’s mission to prepare diverse health professionals for underserved communities.
Posted inEducation
Advocate warns dismantling of Dept. of Education could harm Black and Brown students with disabilities
Advocates warn Black and Brown students with disabilities may face increased barriers and undiagnosed needs as the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education continues.
Posted inBaltimore Community
Rooted in community: Coppin State University’s ‘tiny but mighty’ theatre program
Coppin State University’s small but powerful theatre program blends artistic training with community engagement, using productions and post-show discussions to address issues that impact West Baltimore. Students and alumni say the program nurtures their growth, offering interdisciplinary opportunities, close mentorship, and a strong sense of belonging.
Posted inWord In Black
Fewer Black students missing school as attendance slowly rebounds
Chronic absenteeism in U.S. K–12 schools is gradually declining, and a new EdTrust report suggests rates could be cut in half within five years if states continue expanding early interventions, tutoring, and wraparound supports. The improvements are especially significant for Black students, who remain disproportionately affected but are seeing progress as states adopt data-driven strategies and invest in student well-being.
