Beating the Odds: One schools formula for success

Thelma Sardin |

Structural disparities in the urban public school system make no group more at risk than

black males. Released by the Schott Foundation for Public Education, a new report shows the toil inner city life is having on Black males. Representative of 48 states, the study found that for Black males, the national graduation rate, between 2007- 2008, was only at 47 percent.

For their white counterparts however, the figures were much higher, with whites graduating

at a rate of 78 percent. In Illinois, there was little improvement where reportedly, the graduation

rate for Black males was only 47 percent. In Chicago, the picture was more dismal, with only 44 percent of Black males being counted as high school graduates.

Examining the causes, Michael Holzman, Senior Research Consultant for the Schott Foundation

believes funding and access to education are contributing factors. Some districts in Illinois spend 5,000 dollars per student, while some spend 25, 000, he said.

The head of Schott says the report should be a wake-up call. The report is meant to challenge

states and districts to institutionalize the policy recommendations needed to change outcomes for

[the] overwhelming majority of Black males in this country says Schott Foundation, president and chief executive officer Dr. John H. Jackson in the report.

Unfortunately, a Black male student who manages to achieve high school graduation speaks

more for that individuals ability than for benefits he may have received from the system. In fact, most systems contribute to the conditions in which Black males have nearly as great a chance of being incarcerated as graduating, the report shows.

Holzman adds that labeling and mislabeling of learning and behavioral disabilities can change

educational opportunities for black males. Also, more high-quality early childhood education

programs should be implemented in order to provide the same quality of education to disadvantaged students as their wealthy counterparts receive.

But if one school on the South side is beating the odds, its Urban Prep Academies located in Chicagos Englewood neighborhood.

In 2010, all 107 members graduated and received 100 percent college acceptances. The school is the first charter high school for boys in the nation. It thrives on creating a family atmosphere

for students and flourishes academically.

I believe all the guys feel as though someone in the building has their best interest at heart, loves them and wants them to succeed, co-principal Richard Glass told The Associated Press in a recent interview. I think that is why some of them were pushed so hard to get to this point, he said.

Urban Prep opened its doors on Sep. 5, 2006. Founded by, Tim King, the key to the schools success is its culture. At Urban Prep, we have created a culture which sets high expectations and provides the tools and relationships necessary for the students to meet those expectations, King said.

Students have an extended school-day, wear uniforms consisting of blazers and ties and benefit from extra-curricular activities along with community service projects.

While the school promotes a rich educational environment, King says students have the desire to succeed. While we work hard to inspire and motivate our students, we recognize that what we do can only go so far. Our students understand that achievement at Urban Prep will lead to achievement in college, which will lead to achievement in life, he said.

Urban Prep educators are engaged intensively in professional development activities. In August, teachers go on a two-day overnight retreat followed by four hours of additional training for the remainder of the month. Weekly professional development occurs on an ongoing basis during the school year. We believe that this amount of time helping our faculty hone their craft leads to

more effective teachers and higher achieving students, said King.

Literacy is a core educational component of Urban Preps curriculum. Being a language-arts focused school, in the area of English, students take more than twice the credits of other CPS students. It is essential that students possess the ability to read, listen, comprehend, interpret and communicate effectively in order to be successful in life, said King. With a rigorous college-prep curriculum including honors and advanced placement classes, students place into advanced

classes based on applicant portfolios, teacher recommendations and demonstrated

ability.

Educating the urban black male is not as arduous as it may appear. It is clear that when inner-city youth coming from oppressed backgrounds are given an equal footing as others, they can achieve. With mottos like, We Believe, Urban Prep students and faculty use it as a mantra to help transform lives. Nestled in a predominately Black area on the citys South side, its an

example of what can go right when the right mix of resources are made available.

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