K-12 Research and Resources
K-12 Advocacy
Hear Us, Believe Us, Invest in Us: Helping Parents Advocate for Black Teachers (2025)
Black teachers play an essential role in the academic success of all students, and parents are critical advocates for these important stakeholders. Building on the recent report, “Hear Us, Believe Us: Centering African American Parent Voices in K–12 Education,” this toolkit equips parents with tips and strategies to engage with local school districts, organize within their communities, and promote historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) as a viable pathway to teaching careers for Black teachers. Inside, parents will find practical, action-oriented resources designed to increase the representation of Black teachers in K-12 schools. Developed in partnership with the Center for Black Education Development, this toolkit is part of the 2nd edition of the UNCF Perceptions Research Series.
Hear Us, Believe Us: Centering African American Parent Voices in K-12 Education (2024)
African American parents are critical stakeholders in the education system. As such, this report illuminates the perspective of African American parents and caregivers on key issues in education, such as race, college readiness, Black teacher representation, parental engagement and more. This report begins the 2nd edition of the UNCF Perceptions Research Series.
Black Students and Indianapolis Schools: A Data Snapshot (2022)
Marion County is the largest county in Indiana and serves the highest percentage of Black students in the state, however, Black students are less likely than White students to meet early college success criteria or even enroll in college at all.
The HBCU Resource Guide (2022)
The guide is designed to assist in learning more about historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This document provides information on scholarships, college-planning databases and key facts about HBCUs.
Safety and School Resource Officers: Framing a Legislative Agenda (2020)
This joint brief with Howard University proposes tangible legislative actions to address school safety and school resource officers (SROs), including seven key recommendations.
Faith in Action: Tips and Tools for Education Advocacy (2020)
This brief offers tools to help faith leaders advocate for educational equity, produced in partnership with The Expectations Project.
Imparting Wisdom: HBCU Lessons for K-12 Education (2020)
This report examines how the success of HBCUs in providing quality education can inform practices in K–12 schools with similar demographics.
Summary: Imparting Wisdom (2020)
A one-page summary highlighting the results of the Imparting Wisdom research.
A Seat at the Table: African American Youth's Perceptions of K-12 Education (2018)
This report explores the views of African American youth on education reform, emphasizing their crucial role as direct stakeholders.
Infographic: A Seat at the Table (2018)
A one-page infographic highlighting the research findings.
Infographic: The Condition of College and Career Readiness 2018 (2018)
A one-pager summarizing ACT college readiness outcomes for African American students in 2018.
Getting into College: A Readiness Guide (2023)
A readiness checklist with key steps and resources to help students prepare for college.
The Lift Every Voice and Lead Toolkit (2017)
This toolkit helps community leaders advocate for K–12 education reform by offering practical strategies and talking points.
Lift Every Voice and Lead: African American Grasstops Leaders’ Perceptions of K-12 Education Reform (2017)
This report assesses how grasstops leaders—such as clergy and community figures—can influence education reform.
Infographic: Lift Every Voice and Lead (2017)
A one-page infographic highlighting key findings from the Lift Every Voice and Lead research.
Building Better Narratives in Black Education (2016)
This joint report offers strategies to shift the narrative around Black education reform and influence policy.
The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2015 (2016)
A national snapshot of how African American students performed on the ACT and their college/career readiness.
The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2014 (2015)
This report tracks trends in educational attainment and readiness for African American students in 2014.
I Have a Question: What Parents and Caregivers Can Ask and Do to Help Children Thrive at School
A tool for parents and caregivers offering key questions and considerations when engaging with their child’s educators.
Done to Us, Not With Us (2012)
A look at how low-income African American parents perceive the education system and their role in it.
Infographic: Done to Us, Not With Us (2012)
A one-page infographic summarizing the Done to Us, Not With Us research.