Event to Study Education Issues of Black Students

Ways of improving children’s test scores, learning capabilities and relationships with teachers will be discussed at a free conference today at Holmes Middle School.

George McKenna, a deputy superintendent with the Compton Unified School District, will be the keynote speaker at the event, which is sponsored by the year-old group Advocates for Valley African-American Students.

Session topics include examining test scores of African-American students, helping parents identify what learning methods work best for a child, preparing middle school students for high school and helping parents make sure schools challenge their children.

About 150 people are expected to attend, said Leah Brackins, a group member with three daughters, ages 12, 13 and 16, in Valley schools.

The volunteer group, which works with the National Council on Educating Black Children, formed a year ago when concerned Valley parents worried that schools weren’t challenging African-American students enough, Brackins said.

“Many schools have lower expectations for African-American students,” Brackins said.

“This gives us a way to work together and address the problem.”

So far, Brackins said the group has 12 members.

Sessions begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at noon. Holmes Middle School is at 9351 Paso Robles Ave., Northridge.