By Kevin Palmer
In 2019, the Richmond County School System (RCSS) in Augusta, Georgia was on academic life support. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic may prove to be its death knell. The 2019 Georgia Milestones Assessment showed only 20 percent of students were prepared for the next grade level, while 80 percent were not prepared for the next grade level and needed additional to substantial academic support. In Science, 100 percent of middle schools failed to demonstrate proficiency.
Black students are affected most being 75 percent of the RCSS student population. Nothing will change until Black adults step up. Generally, White adults care about their children’s academic success, not poorly educated Black children. White political and business leaders in Richmond County are focused on feeding from the school district’s $250 million budget.
Hence, Black educators, Black fraternal organizations, Black churches, and Black parents must care more about Black student success, and less about their vain oaths, rituals, and materialism.
