At this historical juncture, now more than ever, it is a national imperative to address educational disparities. For Morgan State University, physically located within a majority African American school district in a state where 9 of its 24 school districts are majority-minority public school districts, the benefits of more fully tackling the issues of inequity are more immediate. To this end, the School of Education and Urban Studies is launching the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED). We know from research that access to high quality learning experiences, adequately resourced schools, culturally competent teachers, access to adequate healthcare and nutrition, and supportive home and community environments, and a culturally conscious curriculum positively impact children’s learning outcomes.

Mission Statement

The mission of the NCEED is to alter the trajectories of Black, Latinx and low income children in public schools in Maryland and across the United States, from underachievement, low attendance rates, high drop-out rates and inadequate preparation for college and career, to one in which they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of zip code and socio-economic status.  The Center will achieve its mission through the following areas of work:

1. research that clearly identifies the educational needs of Black children
2. research that builds a body of knowledge that is specific to the education of Black, Latinx and low-income children, in the areas of curriculum and pedagogy, initial and continuing teacher preparation, urban school leadership, guidance and counseling, social and emotional well-being, health and nutritional needs, school/community relations and family engagement.
3. development of materials and models of practice that optimize the achievement of these children.
4. rigorous evaluation of those materials and models to assess both effectiveness and scalability.
5. policy analysis and advocacy.