For many years, California has been a national leader in school spending and equal access to education. But new information shows that California’s Black K–12 kids are so far behind in reading and math that it will take them more than sixty years to catch up.
Yesterday, the Ed Trust-West released a report called “Black Minds Matter.” It found that only 17% of Black kids in California have teachers who look like them, while 87% of white students have teachers who look like them.
Due to the slow pace of change, the report says that generations of Black kids will go through a state school system that keeps failing them.
The group that made the study, EdTrust-West, led by Dr. Christopher Nellum, said that the results weren’t a surprise, but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating.
Is this still being done? It says Nellum. Is this still the number we’re seeing? Why does it look like no one else is as mad as we are about this?
What’s stopping black students?
The BMM 2025 report shows that Black kids in California’s K–12 public school system, which is one of the biggest in the country, are falling behind in their studies in scary ways. It found that Black kids won’t be able to read and do math well enough until 2070 and 2089, respectively. This is because of many factors, such as poverty and other long-lasting differences.
The facts show that the school system is separate, unequal, and has many problems. Only 3 out of 10 Black K–12 students in California met English language arts standards, and only 18% are skilled in math. This means that 76% of these students are from low-income families.
The study also says that 15% of black students drop out of school, while only 8% of white students do, and 7% of black students graduate, while only 3% of white students do.
Also, just like ten years ago, black students in the state are still three times more likely to be suspended than white students. Also, the number of chronic absence for black students rose from 21% to 33% during the 2023–2024 school year, while it only rose to 16% for white students.
The most important thing to remember is that these differences are not due to poor performance by Black kids, but to problems with the way California’s schools are set up.
Why the crisis in California should scare everyone else
California has the sixth-largest Black population in the US. Its education system is a microcosm of how public education fails one of its most vulnerable student groups, even though the state has some of the strongest equity policies in the country. For example, the 2011 Local Control Funding Formula changed the state’s school system to give more resources to students with high needs, and the 2023 Mathematics Framework helps lower tracking and increase math equity for students with low math skills.
That brings up a very important question: What does it mean for Black kids in conservative, less wealthy states if California, a state with a lot of resources and a progressive agenda, is still making such slow progress?
Nellum says, “People should think about California if they want to help Black students and Black communities, no matter where they are in the country.”
California is also very important to the economic future of the whole country. It has the biggest economy in the country, with $3.9 trillion. It’s the biggest economy in any state and the fifth biggest in the world. It could be bad for everyone if the state doesn’t do something to help Black and white kids get along.
It’s possible that California will stay a major economic powerhouse if we don’t figure out how to close these gaps, he says. “But we can’t keep being a powerhouse if they gaps stay this big.” All the states that depend on us have the same problem. It’s not just California’s.
Getting rid of the DOE will definitely make these predictions worse
Even though the state is wealthy, a lot of Black students go to Title I and Title III schools, which depend on government money. The study shows that without those resources, the achievement gaps could get much worse than the already very bad predictions for 2070 and 2089.
Recent plans to break up the Department of Education could make these predictions even worse. Nellum says that Black kids might fall further behind if that takes place.
Nellum says, “The Department of Education’s job is to protect civil rights, keep an eye on things, and hold people accountable.” “Taking apart the agency won’t make any of this better.” It will only get worse, and black kids will be hit the hardest.
We need to do something about what needs to change
One of the most important policy suggestions in the study is to set up a state Commission on Black Education Transformation. This would be a group that would work to improve education for Black students. In addition to giving money and time to help Black students do well, the commission would hold districts responsible for their progress (or lack of progress) with Black students and give Black students priority when choices are made about school funding and policies.
It’s clear to Nellum that this commission won’t be enough to fix everything. It’s been ten years since the first Black Minds Matter study, though, and he says it’s time for a new plan.
Nellum says, “Our first Black Minds Matter report came out ten years ago.” “Things would have changed by now if what we have in place now was working.”
Nellum also wants Black families and communities to fight for schools to be held accountable.
He says, “If you think your child isn’t getting the right care, you’re probably right.” “And studies like Black Minds Matter give you proof of that.” If lawmakers and schools don’t want to hear your story, show them the numbers.
Nellum stresses the value of group action in addition to individual advocacy. Parents and other interested parties should go to school board meetings and demand that Black students’ success be emphasized. They should also push for changes like fair funding and more Black teachers. He tells them that if they have the time and desire, they could “run for election to the local school board.” This would help make sure that the people who run schools understand the needs of Black kids.
Nellum said, “Nothing changes unless we make it.” “The problem won’t go away on its own.” We need to make it happen.
