In late September, DC mayor Muriel E. Bowser and cadets for the Metropolitan Police Department began tutoring minority boys in DC school districts, and are some of the first to do so this year.
On the 24th of September, a kick-off event was held at Howard University, where Bowser voiced her hopes of the mentors becoming “a great army of people who are going to help” to improve the prospects and lessen the plight for some of DC’s most struggling students.
“Boys are not having the same achievement results as others,” Bowser said. “We can and must do better.”Overall, private schools account for nearly a quarter of all schools in the United States and enroll 10% of all students. Yet it is often more difficult to get the specialized help and attention for children who need it, particularly children in the minority community.
Of all the groups in public schools, black and Latino boys lag significantly behind the achievement of other groups, such as girls and white males. While they make up 43% of the students enrolled in DC public schools last year, national statistics show that only 35% of black male students and 47.5% of Latino students graduate, compared to 59.6% of white students.
Kaya Henderson, DC Schools Chancellor, announced her plans in late January to funnel more resources in order to improve performance rates and to empower males of color in the DC community.
For her plan, Henderson aims to create an all-boys college prep school, scheduled to open in the fall of next year.
For their training, the mentors will collaborate with both DC schools and community partners, including Higher Achievement, For Love of Children, Reading Partners, and Mentors, Inc.
So far, 180 mentors have begun the background process required for training.
According to The Washington Post, the mentors will help boys who are struggling, but also have a high attendance rate. As part of the program, the mentors are required to meet with the boys once at week for an hour.
