Abstract:

The world has responded with surprise, indifference, fear, etc. to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, there are more than 26 million (U.S ∑ 6 Million) confirmed COVID-19 cases of infection and more than 870,000 (U.S. ∑ 190,000) COVID-19 associated deaths worldwide. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be an end in sight because of the continuing spread of this pandemic. Life in every nation on the planet has been altered because of the pandemic. Not only has this pandemic taken the lives of many people, it has caused a serious economic downturn globally. Currently, the United States has the more confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths than any other nation. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected African Americans throughout the country across all age groups. COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted all age groups of vulnerable African American communities across the nation. Community has been shattered among every segment of the American population. However, vulnerable African American communities have been far more adversely impact. Beyond viral infections and death, the K-12 educational system in vulnerable African American communities has virtually collapsed. Because of the severity of the devastation, it appears that several generations of vulnerable African American youth survivors will experience a major setback to attainment of adequate formal education. Moreover, many vulnerable African American youth will experience profound homelessness, loss of parental care (death of parents, grandparents, etc.), as well as more serious personal health challenges, neglect by the public health system, and the social service system. This study was guided by the following research questions: 1. To what extent has COVID-19 adversely impacted the educational experiences of vulnerable African American youth, 2. To what extent has remote/online education adversely impacted the educational experiences of vulnerable African American youth, 3. To what extent has a lack of adequate access to technological resources/ internet connectivity adversely impacted the educational experiences of vulnerable African American youth. A modified meta-analytical retrospective research design was used to analyze secondary data. Samples of data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon-Signed-Rank Test. Principal findings indicated that the educational experiences of vulnerable African American youth have been severely impacted by community conditions that have emerged since the outbreak of COVID-19. Family and home life have been profoundly altered. Therefore, their formal educational experiences have been profoundly altered too.

Keywords:

COVID-19, vulnerable African American youth, shattered communities, k-12 education, inadequate technological resources, iinternet connectivity, homelessness.