Educational Pathways for Black Students in Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Exploring Barriers and Possible Interventions: Proceedings of a Workshop

Academic preparation is critical to increase Black representation in Science, Engineering, and Medicine, but so, too, are such interrelated factors as providing mentoring and role models in sufficient numbers, adequately funding school and community support services, and analyzing the intentional and unintentional consequences of a range of policies and practices. To address these issues, the Roundtable on Black Men and Black Women of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a virtual workshop on September 2 and 3, 2020. Titled Educational Pathways for Blacks in Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Exploring Barriers and Possible Interventions, the workshop provided a platform to explore challenges and opportunities, beginning in the earliest years of life through K-12 schooling, undergraduate and postgraduate education, and into the workforce. Presenters throughout the workshop provided perspectives from research and from their own experiences to discuss the need for systemic solutions inside and outside of formal education institutions. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of the workshop.

• Front Matter
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Background and What Is Missing in Key Milestones and Existing Pathway Programs
• 3 Teachers and Young Professionals: Perceived Obstacles, Real Barriers, and Potential Points of Intervention
• 4 Review of Gaps and Barriers along the Pathway
• 5 Impact of Finances on the Educational Pipeline
• 6 Potential Interventions Inside and Outside the Educational Pipeline and Classroom
• 7 Congressional and Concluding Remarks
• Appendix A: Workshop Agenda
• Appendix B: Biographies of Roundtable Members and Speakers