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Academic Advocate Program

Bridging the Achievement Gap in Alachua County

The Academic Advocate program is a parent outreach initiative designed to provide assistance and guidance to parents and minority youth who need additional academic support.

Alachua County faces the widest racial achievement gap in Florida. For the 2021-22 school year, only 22% of Black students reached a moderate achievement level in mathematics and 25% in English Language Arts (ELA), compared to 68% of white students in mathematics and 70% in ELA​ (The Independent Florida Alligator)​​ (WUFT)​. This significant gap highlights the systemic challenges and disparities that Black students encounter.

The Importance of Targeted Interventions

Why Focus on African-American Students?

1. Systemic Inequities:

Black students in Alachua County face numerous barriers, including under-resourced schools and socio-economic difficulties, which hinder their academic performance and future opportunities.

2. Future Opportunities:

Addressing these educational disparities is crucial for providing Black students with better job prospects and higher lifetime earnings.

3. Community Impact:

Enhanced education levels contribute to overall community well-being and economic development.

Statistics on the Achievement Gap:

Mathematics:

  • Only 22% of Black students achieved proficiency, compared to 68% of white students.​

English Language Arts (ELA):

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How Academic Advocacy Helps

Personalized Support

Tailored academic guidance helps students overcome individual challenges, leading to better educational outcomes.

Parental Involvement

Engaging families in the educational process fosters a supportive home environment and increases student success.

Community Strengthening

Mobilizing community resources ensures that students receive comprehensive support, contributing to their academic and personal growth.

Empower
Growth

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Benefits of The Academic Advocate Program

For Students

  • Provides necessary resources and mentorship to help Black students succeed academically.

  • Encourages higher education attainment, leading to better career opportunities.

For Families

  • Engages parents and guardians, ensuring they are active participants in their children's education.

  • Provides tools and resources to support their children's academic journey.

For the Community

  • Reducing the achievement gap leads to a more educated workforce and a stronger, more equitable community.

  • Fosters economic development by ensuring that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

More data

  • Alachua County has the fourth highest out of school suspension rate for Black students of all Florida school districts.

  • Only 26.7% of Black students as compared with 71.5% of White students in Alachua County scored at or above grade level in English Language Arts on the Florida State Assessment (FSA) (FLDOE, 2018a).

  • Schools with magnet programs have a 66.8% achievement gap between Black and White students in ELA (SBAC, 2017; FLDOE, 2018b).

  • Black students comprise 35.5% of school population but account for 70.6% of district suspensions (FLDOE 2018b; FLDOE, 2018c). 

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