WASHINGTON (AP) – Michelle Obama says education is the “single most important” civil rights issue facing the country today.
The first lady says that, while the high school graduation rate for black students has improved, it remains below just about any other group.
She also says the college completion rate has flat-lined for black men but has risen for all other groups, including black women.
Mrs. Obama spoke Friday at a Black History Month event at the White House celebrating “women of the movement.” Mrs. Obama highlighted the obstacles some of the women overcame to get an education, including braving angry mobs gathered outside their schools.
The first lady told young people to make education a priority. She urged them to go to school, even if all they have is a “bad school.”