Youngstown Schools face challenge for improvement - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A non-profit education group is renewing its challenge to Youngstown school and community leaders.

At a news conference, the group Family Empowerment outlined the findings of a five year campaign for African American Achievement.

Group President Jimma McWilson says that while Youngstown City Schools are on academic watch, African-American students are in academic emergency.

He says the latest state report shows that 78% of African-American students are below grade level proficiency in science and 47% are below in reading.

McWilson says the problem is not the students, but a lack of action by adult leaders in the black community.

"They have not come together collectively and invited parents and students within their organizations to grapple with this educational crisis that is endemic within the African-American community," McWilson said.

Since 2010, Youngstown City Schools have been under academic emergency or watch, and McWilson says the goal for the district should be nothing short of academic excellence within two years, and believes that is achievable with the right involvement of those in a position to help.

Wanda Coleman, who is working with the empowerment group, believes the challenge is to stop talking and start doing. "Parents, pastors, everyone, stop complaining about, oh, my child's not getting this and my child's not doing that, get out there in the forefront and do something," Coleman said.

McWilson says Family Empowerment has meetings scheduled next month with both the board of education and the Academic Distress Commission.