In the fall semester of 2022, Dr. Kendrick Roberson and his student team at Pepperdine University solidified a community partnership with Faith Inspirational Missionary Baptist Church to develop a pilot pre-course educational program for students in the City of Compton.

 

The pilot program will take place in 2023 and will provide high school-level math courses for students in Compton, California prior to taking the class during the school term. In an effort to decrease the racial achievement gap, the program allows students exposure to relevant material ahead of time so that they might enter their ensuing school year with elevated levels of skill and confidence in their math capabilities.

 

The program provides students room to flounder without consequence, and encourages hard work to reach elevated levels of mathematical success. Further, evaluation of program impact will take place via a pre and post survey that measures entering and ending math capabilities, as well as a follow-up with students after their following school semester.

 

In 2024, the goal is to expand the 2023 pilot program to Carson, California and Los Angeles, California, and potential community partners have already been identified and have expressed interest.