ATTACHMENT B

District Black Parents and Students Support Group
Report to Board June 9, 2004

Good evening,

This past month, the Black Parents and Students Support Group has been busily involved in meetings
concerning the upcoming Bond Issue. Dr. Fornero, Board Members, and a number of AAPS staff have given
presentations to and answered questions for the BPSSG and other groups in the African American community.
Unfortunately, our group cannot endorse this bond proposal and are encouraging others not to support it either.

This $200 million proposal offers almost nothing to address student achievement, more specifically and

most importantly, the achievement gap between African-American and white students. There have been a
number of letters or articles written in the Ann Arbors News lately where parents have stated that Ann Arbor
schools have excellent programs. The school district is rated as one of the top in the nation. If ones look at the
standardized test scores, discipline rates, and graduation rates of African American students in this district, you
certainly wouldn't hold that opinion. The Ann Arbor schools are a failure at educating African American
children.

Even though building and equipment improvements are needed at the current elementary, middle, and
high schools, the Black Parents and Students Support group cannot see how the planned expansion of the pre-
school program or new high school will have a significant impact on ensuring that African-American children
are successful. Yet, the proposal asks for a significant amount of money. To us, the benefits simply don't
justify the costs.

It is not new buildings or materials that are needed to close the achievement gap, but a change in
culture. I've heard of many instances where schools with low test scores and graduation rates or achievement
gaps have turned their dismal numbers around. These same schools typically had a large minority, immigrant,
or economically poor population of students. The changes occurred when the school leadership made
achievement the focus and had sound, effective, and well thought out plans for success. The student
demographics remained the same and the equipment and buildings whether inadequate or not remained the
same. It was the climate of the school and the expectations and efforts of the teaching staff and administrators
that had changed. Those in turn brought about new attitudes and outcomes in the students and parents.

The Board, school administrators, and teachers in Ann Arbor have to make the goal that all students
achieve at the highest levels a priority. There must be honest, dedicated efforts made to fix the problems in the
system that fail to educate African American children in the district. It is painfully obvious that the teaching
environment and school culture here is deficient when it comes to recognizing and satisfying the educational
needs of African American children.

Moving forward, whether the Bond Proposal passes or not, the Black Parents and Students Support
group will continue to dedicate itself to advocating for change in the Ann Arbor Public schools. We recognize
and agonize over the fact that so many of our children are not enjoying the many benefits and successes that
non-African American children and their families have in this district. Non-African American parents choose
the Ann Arbor schools because they offer a safe, nurturing environment filled with unique and exceptional
educational and social opportunities. We want for our children what all parents want for their children.

Sheryl Prince
Secretary
BPSSG