AAMA Community Engagement Report
Summary: The "Our Voice, Our Vision" report explores how Black boys, teens, and families experience our school system.
In the introduction of our strategic plan, Seattle Excellence, SPS made a commitment to our students, families, and the Seattle community to dramatically improve academic and life outcomes for students of color by disrupting legacies of racism in our education system. That is why, in 2019, SPS became the first district in Washington state, and one of a few across the nation, to create and house an office that intentionally invests in the cultural and academic strengths of African American male students while simultaneously addressing their specific needs. The Office of African American Male Achievement critically examines Seattle Public Schools’ systemic practices through a racial equity lens to assess and build capacity for the system to better engage, empower and educate young Black male students.
AAMA is continuing to honor the commitments of Seattle Excellence with the publication of a new report, “Our Voice, Our Vision: Strategies for Supporting Black Excellence in Seattle Public Schools.”
“Our Voice, Our Vision” explores how our Black boys, teens, and families experience our school system. Findings and recommendations in the report are informed by months of research and community conversations with Black boys, teens, and their families.
In the report, SPS families uplift four key recommendation themes for Seattle Public Schools to adopt, with each theme offering a specific set of recommendations:
- Create welcoming, joyous, and safe learning environments
- Develop instructional approaches grounded in identity affirmation
- Build strong relationships between educators and students
- Lead with insights from families and community members in the education of their children
We hope that you read “Our Voice, Our Vision” and join us in engaging with the Seattle Public Schools community in conversations about the report findings and recommendations in early 2022.
AAMA is proud to publish “Our Voice, Our Vision: Strategies for Supporting Black Excellence in Seattle Public Schools,” a report that explores how our Black boys, teens, and families experience our school system.
