by Sebrena Burr

Many know my story and why I do this work. My brother, Henry Burr Jr., was murdered in 1998. Being stabbed in the chest with a pocket knife in Pioneer Square caused his death, but the first stab to penetrate his heart came from Seattle Public Schools. Despite a loving and supportive family, Henry’s learning experience made him lose belief in his learning abilities, affecting his sense of self. Later, with limited jobs and careers available to him, Henry chose jobs that used his physical strength, even working long, hard hours on fishing boats in Alaska until his hands bled because his academic deficits limited his employment options.

What my brother experienced is happening at an accelerated rate today. Currently only 17% of African American students in Seattle Public Schools meet grade level standards. Students not performing at grade level and graduating without the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in life affects every part of our society. There is nothing more important than preparing our children for their futures, and to do so we need to have unwavering focus on what skills and attributes students need to be dynamic contributors to the communities where they reside.