To develop a strategy to address African American underachievement, five years ago, Living Word Community Church formed a focus group of 1st through 12th grade students who were attending public, private and Charter schools in the San Fernando Valley.
The prevailing narrative expressed by these urban students was that they did not like school, especially Algebra/math, because they could not relate to it. They expressed feeling alienated given their minority status. They believed issues of race, class and ineffective schools played a major role in their discontent and limited their life chances. In addition, very few students had ever been taught by a teacher of color.
Our initial purpose was to provide a fun and simulating culturally relevant learning environment and to observe student responses, which included, attendance, class participation, motivation, completed homework and to provide credentialed teachers, who were willing to be trained to implement a culturally competent pedagogy. We sought to mobilize community partnerships and increase the efficacy of the SAI (Summer Algebra Institute) culturally-based math curriculum, to foster high academic achievement and college readiness among low income students of color, especially African American.
The goal was to generate competitive African-American educational achievement, increase the proportion of college admissions and graduation rates—and ultimately contribute towards an enlightened community and world class leadership for the 21st century.
OUR MISSION
To provide students with Rigorous & Culturally Relevant Learning Experiences
That Improve Opportunity For A Bright Future.
OUR VISION
To generate a cultural relevant education environment where students of color become the next generation of professionals and leaders.
Leadership
