"Our Harvest Will Be Our Black Students' Success"

Changing the Academic Trajectory of Compton Unified's Black Students

Overview

Compton Unified School District (CUSD) used data-driven strategies to improve college and career readiness among its Black students, focusing on a few key metrics: graduation rates, AP classes attendance and pass rates, A-G completion rates, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application completion rates, suspension rates, attendance, and expulsions. From this data analysis, the district identified a need to narrow its focus on increasing Black student achievement.

CUSD prioritized actions that provided various pathways for students and their families to access resources and information essential for navigating the academic, social, and financial aspects of the college preparation process. Through the collective efforts of its parents, counselors, district leaders, and school community teams, CUSD has created a college-going culture that provides Black students with mentorship, enrichment, and social-emotional support to thrive at Compton Unified and beyond.

Creating a College Pipeline

Compton Unified aims to create a college-going culture that provides all students with the option of pursuing a post-secondary education. However, recognizing the achievement gap faced by Black students in the district, CUSD established the Department of Black Student Achievement in 2021 to strengthen the pipeline to higher education and expand opportunities for Black students to achieve college and career success. Below are a few examples of how the district is laying the foundation to foster Black students' college aspirations and educational success.

In Spring 2022, the Department of Black Student Achievement embarked on its first-ever Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) tour, taking 31 high school students — representing each of the districts' four high schools — on an all-expenses-paid trip to visit and experience several HBCUs, including Alabama A&M University, Albany State University, Stillman College, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Tuskegee University, Morris Brown College, Clark Atlanta University, and Georgia State University.

In addition to the district's annual college fairs, the Department of Black Student Achievement hosts virtual career days where successful Black leaders from various professional industries share their journeys, in hopes of inspiring students who are interested in pursuing similar career pathways. 

The Department of Black Student Achievement partners with notable organizations to provide enrichment and mentorship programs for Black students in elementary, middle, and high school. In the District Leaders Mentorship Program, one of the mentorship programs that launched at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, 9th grade mentees are paired with district leaders who support them in their educational pursuits, encourage them to pursue college and career pathways, connect them with leaders in the fields that align with their interests and goals, and support their overall growth.

Eliminating Financial Barriers to College Access

As the recipient of four Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grants, CUSD has been able to provide students and their families with guidance and resources to access college and career pathways. Recognizing that the lack of information around financial aid deters students from applying and enrolling in college, CUSD worked to eliminate barriers around college affordability by organizing major events and drives throughout the school year to promote the completion of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications. The district offers assistance with the submission process, supports students with scholarship searches, and even provides fiscal incentives for the school site with the highest FAFSA completion rates. As another avenue to increase awareness of available financial support, CUSD launched the "It Pays to Get Good Grades" campaign to provide activities for students and their families to learn more about the FAFSA and Cal Grant process. 

Race to Submit Dashboard (Class of 2022)

This graph pulls data from the Race to Submit Dashboard, which tracks the number of submitted/completed FAFSA and CA Dream Act Applications, as well as the number of completed Cal Grant applications and awards. 

Please note that the Race to Submit Dashboard uses the prior year's certified October census senior enrollment data as reported to the CA Department of Education until updated enrollment counts are provided for the current academic year (usually in the spring). Based on CUSD's 2022-23 LCAP that was submitted for Board approval on 6/28/22, CUSD's internal data indicates a 87% FAFSA completion rate.

CUSD graduates also have the opportunity to apply for the Compton College Oliver W. Conner Promise Program, which was established in Fall 2018 to make college education more accessible and affordable. The Compton Promise includes guaranteed admissions to Compton College; assistance with college enrollment and applying for additional financial aid; priority registration; opportunities to participate in other student support programs such as the First Year Experience (FYE) and the state-funded Extended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS); and Summer Bridge classes for recent high school graduates to assist with college-level English and math placement.

Amplifying Parent Voice

In 2021, CUSD established the District Black Parent Advisory Committee (DBPAC) and a Black Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) at each of the school sites to engage and empower parents to advocate for expanding and improving educational opportunities for Black students. These committees offer families a space to engage in discussions around Black student achievement and allow for their voices to be included in the decision-making process at the local and district level. 

DBPAC and BPAC meetings also provide an avenue for parents to share input on what they want to learn more about to be better equipped in supporting their children's education. CUSD listened to their feedback and provided workshops on various topics, such as the district's dual immersion programs, the A-G requirements and what it means to be college and career ready, and how to use the Aeries System to access information on students' attendance and grades. In addition to these workshops, the district hosts Black Family Literacy & Learning Nights, which provide parents with the training and tools to support and advocate for Black students. This collaborative process not only strengthens the relationship between the district and its families, but builds the capacity of parents to take a more active role in their child's education.

The Counselor's Role in Facilitating Students' College and Career Pathways

Findings published in 2016 found that "high school seniors who talked one-on-one with a school counselor were 6.8 times more likely to complete a FAFSA application and 3.2 times more likely to attend college" (Velez, 2020). Recognizing that counselors play a key role in college and career readiness, CUSD is continuing to prioritize its counseling and support services — provided by USC College Advisors, counselors, dual enrollment specialists, and attendance counselors — to help students navigate the pathway to post secondary education. In addition to conducting college and career readiness workshops and providing administrators, teachers, and families with information on scholarships, timelines, and college admissions updates, school counselors also cultivate relationships with students to learn about their individual needs and interests, guide them through the college application process, and ensure they're fulfilling all the requirements necessary for UC/CSU admittance.

Graduates Meeting UC/CSU Course Requirements


Four-Year Adjusted Cohort Graduates Meeting
UC/CSU Requirements

* Due to changes in how these data are collected and reported, data from 2015-16 and before cannot be compared with data from 2016-17 or later.

Black Student Achievement Board Presentation.pptx

This presentation outlines CUSD's Black Student Achievement Implementation Plan. 

However, the counselor's role in providing college and career support is not confined to the district's high school students. CUSD begins promoting a college-going culture in the early grades to ensure its students foster values that encourage the "appreciation of academics, the desire to succeed, and the drive to attend college and become a lifelong learner" (CUSD, 2021-24 LCAP). To address the specific needs of the Black student population, all students in grades K-12 receive three Black Student Achievement (BSA) counselor meetings, with students in transition grades (grades 5 and 8) receiving an additional group meeting with a middle school or high school counselor. This continued support and guidance ensure "students meet the acme of their potential and thrive at Compton Unified School District and beyond" (Department of Black Student Achievement, Mission and Vision Statement). 

Advocating for Equity to Ensure Students' Success Beyond Compton Unified

CUSD took an active role in advocating for their students’ access to college and career opportunities. In 2019, CUSD and advocacy organizations filed two lawsuits against the University of California alleging that SAT and ACT requirements discriminated against low-income students, students with disabilities, and Black and Latino students. The historic settlement reached in 2021 prevents University of California campuses from considering SAT or ACT scores in admissions and scholarship decisions. 

CUSD also advocated for their students to have dual enrollment opportunities and partnered with area community colleges to offer 16 dual enrollment courses, ensuring that all students — including immigrant students — have equal access to these courses (Lessons Learned: Resources for Championing Equity, 2022). Dual enrollment courses provide high school students with a structured opportunity to navigate college-level courses and strengthen their "college identity," ultimately improving postsecondary success. 

Learn More About Compton USD's Partners 

Meet the Team

Dr. Darin Brawley

Superintendent

Dr. Shaunte Knox

Director,
Black Student Achievement

Dr. Jorge Torres

Senior Director,
College & Career Readiness