Prof calls for minority outreach

San Diego State professor Frank Harris III recently co-authored a report called “A Role for policymakers in improving the Status of Black Male Students in U.S. Higher Education.”

In the report, Harris tackles the issue of low attendance of black males in college, one of the most underrepresented populations in U.S. higher education. The report urges policymakers, both federal and state, to fund better programs to substantially improve success rates for black males in higher education.

Advancement Via Individual Determination is one of the more recognized organizations when it comes to government-funded high school programs. Both rates were implemented to increase underprivileged student attendance on college campuses. However, according to the 2008 U.S. Census, black males only accommodate for about 4 percent of college students nationwide.

Harris’ report decreases pressure on high school programs and encourages more college programs to raise college graduation rates.

“In today’s society, there are low expectations for black males” and “more encouragement in sports than education,” Harris said.

Black male attendance in higher education is an issue, which throughout time has been deemed a valid and present issue that affects the black community tremendously. Harris, an African-American himself, is among the small percentage of black males who attended college. He came from a two-parent home, where he was encouraged to pursue higher education and that he did. Harris is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University and received his master’s degree in secondary education at the University of Southern California.

Source: http://www.thedailyaztec.com/2012/11/prof-calls-for-minority-outreach/