Drs. Peter and Didi Watts build new affordable housing for future educators
For now it’s a grassy plot of land nestled on the border of the Pico Union and West Adams neighborhoods, but soon Dr. Peter and Dr. Didi Watts hope it will be the home for a new generation of Black male educators.
The leadership of these future teachers is sorely needed.
In California, Black boys have the lowest reading levels and highest rates of suspension of any demographic group, and Black students in general have the highest absenteeism rate. But, as soon as a Black teacher enters the classroom a clearcut shift takes place.
“If a Black male student has at least one Black teacher between third and fifth grade, their dropout rate from high school declines by 39% and their interest in attending college increases by 29%,” said Peter Watts, co-founder of the non-profit Watts of Power Foundation, referencing a study by researchers from Johns Hopkins University and American University…READ FULL ARTICLE