As concerned parents and community members, we are deeply distressed by the current state of reading proficiency among our Black students in the Natomas Unified School District (NUSD). It is disheartening to know that there are high school students within our district who read at a 5th-grade level. This is not only unacceptable but also detrimental to their future success.

Our children deserve better. They deserve an education system that equips them with essential literacy skills necessary for their academic journey and beyond. To this end, we urge NUSD to adopt programs vetted by the Natomas Black Parents United. These programs have been carefully reviewed and selected for their potential to significantly improve reading abilities among our Black students.

According to a study published in the Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk, targeted literacy interventions can lead to substantial improvements in reading proficiency (JESPAR, 2019). By adopting these vetted programs, we believe that NUSD can make a significant stride towards  excellence in literacy among its Black students.

We call upon all stakeholders - parents, educators, community members - who care about the future of our children and believe in equal educational opportunities for all students regardless of race or ethnicity to speak up. Let's join hands together and insist on change now! Please sign this petition urging NUSD to implement these vetted programs without delay.