ISU Extension to play bigger role in addressing education disparities
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is seeking to play a bigger role in addressing education disparities faced by African-American youths in Polk County.
The Enhancing African American Youth Academic Success project, sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach, Polk County, investigated methods to help address lower high school graduation rates and college attendance rates for African-American students. The study results were unveiled Thursday evening to community leaders and participants at an event held at the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families.
“This research will steer what types of ISU Extension and Outreach, Polk County, programs can be offered to help support the African-American community,” said Tera Jordan, associate professor of human development and family studies, who was the principal investigator.
Among its recommendations are identifying influential African-American leaders to partner and promote broad participation in various community initiatives, and encouraging African-American adults and youths to plan and lead programming.
African-American students make up 19 percent of the student population of Des Moines Public Schools.
According to education data in Iowa, the overall African-American high school graduation rate in the state is just under 80 percent, compared with just over 91 percent for their white peers. Lower graduation rates are not the only issue for African-Americans in Iowa. African-American youths tend to have less of a desire to pursue education beyond high school, at about 74 percent compared with their white peers at 80 percent, and only about 20 percent of African-Americans in Iowa have a college degree.
Forty-five Polk County residents took part in study circles and action forums to share their personal experiences, educational goals and academic needs. To view the full study, click here.