Breaking Barriers: The Obama Administration, the 111th Congress, and the Future of School-Age Black Males

Members of Congress and a panel of educational experts discussed upcoming education legislation, including the education-related provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, at a forum on Capitol Hill. "Breaking Barriers: A Brain Trust on Educational Policy Reform for School-age African-American Males" was sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Howard University School of Education, and the Open Society Institute Campaign for Black Male Achievement.

The effort sought to unite school board members, school administrators, parents, students, and key policy makers at the national and local levels to reform education within high-need areas. 

"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocates $90.9 billion to reform and modernize education," notes the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's senior research analyst, Ivory A. Toldson. "This is an unprecedented opportunity to chart a new course for black males by making sure that education reform is consistent with evidence-based findings on black male success factors."

The event is the first in a series of district-level forums designed to disseminate and operationalize the policy recommendations of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation report, Breaking Barriers: Plotting the Path to Academic Success for School-Age African-American Males.

Location

Senate Caucus Room (SR-325)
Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510