Honoring MLK, California Wildfires Devastates Schools, 11-Year-Old Arrested, & Black Student Enrollment Declines as School Segregation Intensifies
This issue is dedicated to everyone in California recovering and rebuilding during this devastating time.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
This Week On The Board
Board Members,
Welcome to this week’s issue. I surely hope this message finds you all well. Firstly, I send my thoughts and prayers to everyone in California during this devastating time. I hope everything sent your way feels like a warm embrace as you recover and rebuild.
In the past week, significant developments in education have emerged, including the devastation of schools from the California wildfires, more steep declines in Black student enrollment, the arrest of an 11-year-old Black girl walking from school, and a recent report revealing a continued rise in school segregation. Amid these challenges, a new survey shows that many parents support expanded education options, reflecting a growing demand for flexibility in school choices. There’s a lot to unpack, so I’ll see you on the board.
Again, thank you all for your unwavering support — it truly keeps me going.
Stay educated and stay liberated,
Quintessa
On This Day
On this day in 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Raised in a family deeply rooted in the Black Baptist church, King’s early life was marked by a strong commitment to education and social justice. He entered Morehouse College at the age of 15, earning a sociology degree, and later obtained a Bachelor of Divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary.
In 1955, he completed his Ph.D. in systematic theology at Boston University. His academic pursuits undoubtedly had a profound impact on his leadership in the civil rights movement, where he championed nonviolent resistance and equality. His unmatched legacy needs no further explanation.
Top of the Board
California Wildfires Devastate Schools: The recent Southern California wildfires have led to the loss of lives and homes and widespread school closures. As of now, the fires reportedly caused over 300 schools from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, and San Diego counties to close, affecting more than 211,000 students, according to the state’s education department. The fires have burned school buildings, too, including Odyssey Charter School in Altadena, a historic Black neighborhood in California.
Medical School Reports Steep Drop In Black Enrollment: According to a report released last Thursday by the Association of American Medical Colleges, enrollment of Black and Hispanic students in medical schools significantly dropped last year after the Supreme Court banned race consideration in admissions. The number of Black enrollees fell by 11.6% compared to the previous year, while the number of Hispanic enrollees decreased by 10.8%.
Recent Report Highlights Increased School Segregation: According to a new study published in the American Sociological Association’s American Sociological Review, segregation has continued to increase in K-12 schools nationwide. This steady increase is widening the racial achievement gaps among Black, Hispanic, and White students, especially those who attend higher-poverty schools.
11-Year-Old Black Girl Reportedly Arrested in Syracuse, New York: According to a Facebook account under the name MacKenzie Breeanna, the account holder says her 11-year-old daughter was placed in handcuffs by police while walking home from school and told she was being detained because she matched the description of a woman who stole a Kia. The mother is calling on the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office “to do better.”
New Survey Finds Parents Want More Education Options: A recent survey from the National Parents Union found that 71% of parents support the flexibility to use public education funds to choose schools that best fit their children’s needs, including private and religious options.
State Board
Alabama: State lawmakers are gearing up to decide how to allocate a $525 million surplus from the Education Trust Fund in the upcoming 2025 legislative session, marking the fourth consecutive year of distributing surplus funds due to conservative budgeting. Additionally, the state has officially opened a 35-day public comment period to update their teacher certification rules to consolidate and modernize the teacher certification process, addressing inconsistencies and outdated language built up over decades of piecemeal amendments. In a separate development, a recent December 2024 hack of the PowerSchool platform has exposed K-12 student data across the state.
California: As of now, the fires reportedly caused over 300 schools from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, and San Diego counties to close, affecting more than 211,000 students, according to the state’s education department. In addition, Governor Newsom has proposed maintaining stable school funding for the 2025-26 fiscal year, warning that a potential economic downturn could impact future educational budgets.
Florida: Governor DeSantis promoted the state as a national model for educational policies during a recent press conference, which included school choice and parental choice. On a positive note, the state has achieved a record high school graduation rate of 89% for the 2023-24 academic year. DeSantis also appointed Scott Yenor, an anti-DEI advocate and who once said women should prioritize motherhood over education, to the University of West Florida’s Board of Trustees.
Georgia: Bryce Berry, a 23-year-old former seventh-grade math teacher, has officially been sworn in as the youngest state lawmaker, representing the 56th District in southwest Atlanta. Berry says he plans to update the Quality Basic Education Program and raise minimum teacher salaries. Governor Kemp has outlined his educational priorities on the first day of the state’s legislative session this week.
Illinois: Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is facing significant financial challenges, with reports indicating a potential state takeover due to fiscal instability. Amid this crisis, ASPIRA Charter Schools plans to close Haugan Middle School due to declining enrollment and a nearly $1 million deficit. Additionally, contract negotiations between the state’s teachers union and CPS have stalled, raising concerns about potential school disruptions.
Louisiana: Frances Shaw, an 80-year-old science teacher at Northside High School in Lafayette, gained national attention on CBS after being recently honored by former students during a drive-by celebration at Northgate Mall. Also, while the state has made progress in addressing teacher shortages, challenges still persist with student truancy rates, which educators and policymakers say remain a concern.
Maryland: Gov. Wes Moore said last week that he would submit a budget plan with about $2 billion in spending reductions to address the state’s deficit of roughly $3 billion. This will include cuts to Moore’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, —a comprehensive reform initiative to enhance public education through expanded pre-kindergarten, increased teacher salaries, and career-readiness programs. On a positive note, the state’s Teachers of the Year were recently honored with a visit to the White House.
Mississippi: Lance Evans, the state’s Superintendent of Education, recently stated that private schools receiving public funds should adhere to the same standards as public schools. Additionally, the state’s Department of Education has adopted Carnegie Learning’s K-5 math curriculum, ClearMath Elementary, to help enhance mathematics statewide. This comes after the state has seen notable progress with its math proficiency rate, going from 33% in 2016 to 55 % in 2024.
Missouri: During his inaugural address this Monday, Republican governor Mike Kehoe says he’s committed to strengthening public education and expanding school choice in the state. Meanwhile, a recent report on Missouri's teacher workforce highlighted significant challenges, such as shortages and retention issues, alongside positive developments like increased support for educators. Additionally, Riverview Gardens School District in St. Louis is considering closing a school due to declining enrollment.
New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul, in her annual State of the State address, said that she plans to offer free tuition at state and city colleges and give students free meals at schools. In his State of the City address, Mayor Eric Adams emphasized enhancing financial education by introducing banking services in schools to equip students with essential financial skills. Additionally, SUNY announced plans to mandate courses in civic discourse and artificial intelligence for undergraduates to prepare students for emerging societal challenges.
North Carolina: Maurice “Mo” Green has officially been sworn in as North Carolina’s new Superintendent of Public Instruction after beating Republican opponent Michele Morrow last fall. The state has also been awarded over $1.65 billion in federal block grants to aid recovery from significant damage caused by Hurricane Helene. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Agency Head Adrianne Todman said the funds will “help rebuild homes, develop affordable housing, assist impacted small businesses, and repair roads, schools, water treatment plants, and other critical infrastructure.”
Ohio: The state’s recent expansion of private school vouchers has sparked internal divisions within Ohio’s Republican Party, including controversy over significant funding being directed toward private religious schools. Additionally, Governor Mike DeWine has signed the "Parents' Bill of Rights" into law, mandating that schools inform parents about any changes to their child's healthcare or lessons involving “sexuality content.”
Pennsylvania: Tony Watlington, Superintendent of Philadelphia's public schools, has been named Superintendent of the Year by the District Administration Leadership Institute. The national award recognized his excellence and innovation in leading the district. Under Watlington's leadership, the district has seen improvements in student attendance, graduation rates, and test scores.
South Carolina: The ACLU has released a report that outlines how school vouchers in the state will divert funds after lawmakers move forward with plans to pass a private school voucher law later this year. Meanwhile, Governor Henry McMaster is advocating for accelerated tax cuts and increased teacher salaries in his new budget unveiled this Monday.
Texas: Lawmakers are considering expanding restrictions on (DEI) initiatives in public universities, which will potentially impact faculty recruitment and campus policies. In Bastrop County, Elon Musk is establishing "Ad Astra," a private Montessori-inspired school for children aged 3 to 6, in his image. Meanwhile, Round Rock Independent School District is deliberating adopting the "Bluebonnet Learning" curriculum, which has sparked debate due to its incorporation of Bible-based content.
College Board
Jayden Williams, a 21-year-old Georgia native preparing to graduate from Clark Atlanta University, is making headlines as the youngest candidate for mayor in his hometown.
Put some respeck on his new name! Rapper and Producer Lupe Fiasco is now a distinguished visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute. Fiasco will teach rap as part of the institute's new 4-year hip-hop degree program, led by professor and musical artist Wendel Patrick.
Bobby Wagner, a six-time NFL All-Pro linebacker and a key defensive leader for the Washington Commanders, is working toward a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Howard University, one of the nation’s most prestigious HBCUs.
Saint Augustine’s University (SAU), a private HBCU in Raleigh, N.C., recently announced that it had been removed from membership with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a first step toward the revocation of its accreditation. A write-up by Chris Corrigan says the HBCU’s troubles are part of a larger narrative.
Bilal G. Morris at Newsone wrote an interesting story on Clennon King, a civil rights activist, scholar, and journalist, who was sent to a mental asylum in 1958 for attempting to apply to the then all-white University of Mississippi Law School. King would later become the first Black man to run for POTUS in 1960.
Success Stories & Spotlight
Marcus Freeman, head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, has made history as the first Black and Asian American coach to lead a team to the FBS national championship game. In his third season with Notre Dame, Freeman holds a 34-9 record and has been instrumental in revitalizing the program.
Berhanu Dallas, a marketing teacher in Clay County, Georgia, widely known as “Dr. Drip” on social media, appeared on the Jennifer Hudson Show this week. Dallas had gained significant popularity on TikTok and Instagram, amassing over 311,00 followers and 9 million likes.
Policy Watch
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025," aiming to prohibit transgender girls and women from participating in female sports teams at federally funded schools. The bill passed with a 218-206 vote, with two Democrats joining Republicans in favor. It seeks to amend Title IX by defining sex based on reproductive biology at birth.
In Memoriam
This week’s issue memoriam section is dedicated to all the victims who lost their lives, homes, and many more in the California wildfires. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this devastating time. If you would like to donate to the cause, please click here.
Closing Remarks
Every week, I hope this report serves as a resource for advocacy, awareness, and change. I value your stories, insights, and feedback, and invite your perspectives in contributing to future issues of The Blackboard. Please feel free to contact me here or follow me on my socials! LinkedIn, Twitter, IG, BlueSky, and Threads. You can also find my work for Word in Black here.
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