A new bill proposed in California aims to create a ‘Black-Serving Institution’ designation for universities and colleges in the state. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Shirley Weber, seeks to address the disparities in educational opportunities and outcomes for Black students by recognizing institutions that serve a significant number of Black students and allocating additional resources to support their success.
Currently, there are federal designations for ‘Hispanic-Serving Institutions’ and ‘Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions’, but there is no specific designation for institutions that serve a large number of Black students. Assembly Bill 1460 would create a similar designation for California institutions that serve a significant percentage of Black students.
The designation would be granted to institutions that have a student population in which at least 10% of undergraduate students identify as Black. These institutions would be eligible for additional funding and support to help improve retention and graduation rates for Black students.
According to Assemblymember Weber, the creation of a Black-Serving Institution designation is necessary to recognize and address the unique challenges faced by Black students in higher education. “California’s institutions of higher education must do more to support and uplift our Black students,” said Weber. “By creating a Black-Serving Institution designation, we can ensure that these institutions have the resources they need to better serve their Black students and help them succeed.”
The bill has gained support from advocacy groups and education organizations, who see it as a crucial step towards addressing racial disparities in educational outcomes. The designation would not only provide additional resources to institutions serving Black students, but also raise awareness about the challenges they face and promote efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable higher education system.
If passed, Assembly Bill 1460 could have a significant impact on the educational opportunities and outcomes for Black students in California. By recognizing and supporting institutions that serve a large number of Black students, the bill aims to improve access to higher education and ensure that all students have the support they need to succeed.
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