Black student achievement continues to rise in Los Angeles Unified — and exceeded the district’s average growth in last year’s Smarter Balanced Assessments, according to preliminary district data. In English language arts, 37% of Black students scored “proficient” or “advanced,” compared to 48.3% overall. LAUSD, like other large, urban districts has long struggled to narrow a persistent achievement gap between Black students and many of their peers. The Black Student Achievement Plan, or BSAP, was established in 2021 to provide additional staffing and resources to campuses that collectively serve about one-third of the district’s Black students. Nearly 90% of Black students said they benefit from BSAP, a 2023 survey by organization Safe Schools Los Angeles found.