The Need to Restructure the Public Education Curriculum to Better Prepare Students of Color to Succeed in a Technologically Advanced Society

WHEREAS, The NAACP believes public education is a core principle of human and civil rights, especially with regard to restructuring the curriculum to better prepare students of color to succeed in a technologically advanced society including a national standard on digital literacy, AI ethics, coding fundamentals and data privacy for middle/high school students; and 

WHEREAS, Historically, students of color have suffered from a systematic educational disadvantage; and 

WHEREAS, The lack of diverse representation in educators and school programs contributes to racial bias. The effect of racial bias is the normalization of white student behaviors and the criminalization of non-white ones; and 

WHEREAS, COVID-19 exposed the depth of the digital divide in education, where students of color are less likely to have knowledge and access to technology than their white and Asian counterparts. Half of low-income families and 42% of families of color lacked access to the technology required for online education in 2020. Low-income families, primarily those of color, suffer the most from the digital divide. Lack of access to the internet and tech devices directly correlates with low performance, increased homework time, and difficulties adjusting to technology in college; and 

WHEREAS, Students of color are less likely to be college-ready due to the lack of preparedness in K-12 education. Black students are twice as likely to meet zero of the ACT college readiness benchmarks than all other racial groups due to academic gaps in schooling. Low performance in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects directly correlates to discouragement for students in pursuing related majors or careers; and 

WHEREAS, White and Asian workers are overrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Black and Hispanic individuals remain underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), each represented in those fields by less than 10%. Lack of exposure to diverse programs surrounding technology, such as Artificial Intelligence ("AI"), coding, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs, limits future opportunities for students of color: and 

WHEREAS, It is insufficient to rely solely on communities that already suffer from financial disparities produced by a long history of economic disadvantages and inequalities. It is important to develop an inclusive curriculum, increase quality of staffing, implement college readiness strategies, and increase student engagement. All students deserve equal opportunities to succeed: and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP reaffirms its commitment to equity in education for all students, with an emphasis on students of color who are underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and often lack the necessary preparedness for a technologically advanced society because of underserved public schools. 

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls for deep systematic reform and investment into the public education curriculum that will provide students of color with digital equity and far greater ability to succeed in our increasingly technologically advanced society. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NAACP calls upon Congress to provide greater investment in tech mentorship programs, workshops, partnerships and other initiatives that encourage, train, and prepare students of color for college and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to restructure the public education curriculum. 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls upon Congress, state, and local governments to increase funding and resources available to public schools to help achieve these goals.