The historic underfunding of public HBCUs and ongoing advocacy for equitable K-12 public education

LaShawn Hudson | WABE

March 22nd, 2024

On Friday's edition of "Closer Look," guests discuss the state of public HBCUs. (Courtesy of Desola Lanre-Ologun)

Friday’s edition of “Closer Look” with Rose Scott continues with a weeklong series, “FAILING GRADE: Analysis of America’s Public Education Crisis.”

The series explores the current state of public education in Georgia and across the nation, from pre-K to higher-ed.

For the final day of the series, Scott continues her interview with the South Atlanta micro-school Pass Pod. The school’s founder, April Jackson, discussed the school’s curriculum and why it intentionally focuses on Black history.

Pass Pod school founder April Jackson, class instructor and students pictured inside of a classroom at the school. (LaShawn Hudson/WABE)

Then, Lodriguez Murray, the senior vice president of public policy and government affairs for the United Negro College Fund, and Daarel Burnette II, a senior editor at The Chronicle of Higher Education, discussed the state of public HBCUs across the nation and how historic underfunding has led to current challenges at the institutions.

They also shared their thoughts about what needs to happen from a policy standpoint to ensure HBCUs have equitable resources and funding to continue supporting students.

Daarel Burnette II, a senior editor at The Chronicle of Higher Education, and, Lodriguez Murray, the senior vice president of public policy and government affairs for the United Negro College Fund, discuss the current state of HBCUs. (Courtesy of UNCF and The Chronicle of Higher Education)

Lastly, EdTrust’s director of P-12 policy, Eric Duncan, responded to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s recent comments about current attacks on the United States’s public education. Duncan also discussed EdTrust’s top 2024 policy priorities and what can be done to ensure all students have strong academic outcomes.

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