Bridging the Achievement Gap

African American males are failing out of high school, retained in the elementary grades, and funneled to special education programs at far greater levels than their peers are. An educated black young man has almost become an oxymoron in America’s urban enclaves, and the U.S. education system seems to be ill equipped to finger the cause of this tragedy in educational outcomes. This is behind the backdrop of measured peaks of progress in income level, home ownership and forays into the realm above the proverbial glass ceiling of corporate America for many African Americans. Why does this achievement gap persist despite the achievements in other areas? Why is it still only a few who somehow manage to beat the odds?