National Urban League n Obama Administration Scorecard n www.nul.org8EDUCATION SuccessesEducation Reform EXCELLENTThe agenda infused millions of needed dollars into the public education system via the Race to the Top program, which encouraged states to adopt Common Core and share the same high-level education standards.This focus drove high school graduation rates to their highest levels at 83.2%, which included increasing graduation rates for African-American students from 66.1% in 2009 to 85% in 2016.Investment in Pell Grants Scholarships and Total Pell FundingEXCELLENTUnder the Obama administration, Pell Grants were increased by more than $1,000 on average per student and total aid available under the Pell Grant program was increased by 70%. Additionally, Pell Grant funding for Historically Black College and University students increased significantly between 2007 and 2014, growing from $523 million to $824 million.Investments in Equity and Student RightsSUPERIORThe Department of Education Office for Civil Rights issued guidance and regulations to protect the civil rights and safety of students.Investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)EXCELLENTOver the past seven years, the Obama administration has invested more than $4 billion in HBCUs.Federal funding to HBCUs has grown every year since 2009. Through the Higher Education Act, HBCUs received a $17 million funding increase in 2016—the largest increase for the federal government’s Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities program in six years.SUPERIOREXCELLENTGOODFAIRPOOR54321
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