Kansas City Public School Superintendent R. Stephen Green joined President Obama today in a pledge to improve the academic and social outcomes of boys and young men of color.
Green and more than 60 other big-city public school district officials from across the country made the pledge during an event today with the Council of the Great City Schools at the White House.
“In KCPS, we’re committed to making sure that all of students receive the education and guidance they need to become successful contributors to their communities, and the President’s pledge aligns perfectly with our goals,” Dr. Green said. “It is critical that we meet the needs of our young men of color. My team and I will be working hard over the next weeks and months to develop innovative ways of meeting those needs.”
Green and the others promised to boost efforts to prepare males of color for college and careers, to reduce the disproportionate number who drop out of school or who are suspended, and to help them succeed.
Dr. Green has already assigned two members of his cabinet to spearhead the KCPS effort to fulfill its pledge under the Males of Color Initiative. They will be looking in particular for opportunities to develop community partnerships that will benefit young men of color who live within the school district. These types of partnerships have proven to be an efficient and effective way of improving services to KCPS stakeholders in areas like summer school and wrap-around social services, according to the district.
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