The overwhelming existence of drugs within many African-American neighborhoods has taken a toll on the once close-knit communities. The influx of these illicit narcotics could not have been predicted by the people who live within the boundaries of once thriving and safe environments. Communities have witnessed a decline in the value of lives of the young, the care of the elderly and the security of trust among each other.

MAURITA BRYANT

Assistant Pittsburgh Chief of Police Maurita Bryant, a native Pittsburgher, remembers all too well the initial breakdown of the African-American family as a result of the infiltration of the highly addictive crack cocaine. When you watch the assistant chief of investigations update crucial crime information to the local audience, one is assured that she is both qualified and sagacious. Among those enviable attributes, you will also find a deep sense of commitment to her native Pittsburgh.

Officers Kenneth Simon and Anthony Scarpine, arrested Nov. 9 for allegedly framing and shaking down drug suspects, are on paid leave. District Attorney Stephen Zappalas’s office said the charges jeopardize at least one case the officers worked on.

Officer Dwayne Ausbrooks, charged with domestic violence after allegedly assaulting a girlfriend in his car Nov. 19, is on desk duty.

CHIEF NATE HARPER

And 11 months after officers Michael Saldutte, Richard Ewing and David Sisak allegedly beat CAPA student Jordan Miles during a January arrest in Homewood, they too remain on administrative leave with pay, awaiting the conclusion of investigations by the Bureau of Police Office of Municipal Investigations and the FBI.

The latest report by A+ Schools revealed that the achievement gap between White and Black students continues to decrease. However, at the rate it is narrowing, it would take 40 years to be eliminated.

Even more disappointing is that the report also notes that while Black student achievement, as demonstrated through performance on Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests, has increased, a decline in White student achievement also contributed to narrowing the gap.

A+ SCHOOLS—Carey Harris addresses the audience at a community discussion. (Photo by Rossano P. Stewart.)

Despite an unclear picture of how the achievement gap is changing, the report, released on Nov. 15, concluded that high schools, which have the largest achievement gaps in the district, remain the key areas most in need of improvement. Despite gains made in elementary schools, PSSA scores for grade 11 declined in all subjects.

In a room at Oliver High School, there is a display showing student proficiency on the most recent Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests. While the box representing the lowest level of achievement is full of student faces, the box at the highest level is sparsely dotted with only a few faces.

This is not the kind of achievement William Strickland likes to see. The Oliver graduate turned president and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation recently starred in a documentary about public education and the success he had in a system often criticized for letting African-American boys fall through the cracks.

TAKING STEPS TOGETHER—From left: Dennis Chakey, William Strickland, Derrick Lopez, Ebony Pugh, PPS public relations coordinator, and Paulo Nzambi, Manchester Bidwell Corporation vice president of administration, survey under utilized space at Oliver. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

“My participation was to show that public education can work. It’s very easy to talk about what’s wrong,” Strickland said. “I think it’s the basis for hope. I went to Oliver High School, I’m very proud of it.”