In 2008-09, the Washington state legislature authorized an effort to examine the achievement gap for African American children. As a result, House Bill 2722 was signed into law on April 1, 2008. HB 2722 recognizes the specific needs of African-American students and authorizes a plan to eliminate the achievement gap. At the request of Superintendent Dr. Jarvis, Dr. Thelma Jackson agreed to conduct an extensive evaluation of the African American achievement gap in Tacoma Public Schools. Dr. Jackson’s report provides a framework around which decisions can be made to support closing the achievement gap for African American and all students in Tacoma Public Schools.