Council of the Great City Schools understands that reforms work best when implemented in tandem; it urges urban school districts to develop a unifying vision with multilayered strategies for addressing the academic needs of African American males. This e-book is a compilation of solution briefs, representing educational and noneducational strategies. Ranging from reading and math to mental health, school discipline, and public policy, the essays have in common a belief in the potential of African American male students.

Milwaukee Succeeds is a unique effort is bringing together all the key stakeholders to support a common set of goals to improve educational outcomes for all children in the city of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee and its children often end up on the wrong end of the list when it comes to education, poverty and the myriad of social and emotional issues surrounding them. To overcome these challenges, it will take a vision that all in our community embrace. After all, "success for every child, in every school" is a pretty large undertaking; one that will require a big commitment to fulfill. Milwaukee Succeeds believes our community is up for the challenge because we believe in the promise of our city. We know how hard individuals and groups are already working to improve the educational environment in Milwaukee. We have seen some dedicated efforts getting remarkable results with the children in our schools. But we also know it will take more than hard work. The work is too big for any one organization to tackle and the issues are too complex for any single group to overcome. It will take all of us -- parents, educators, community leaders, faith-based leaders, business leaders and more -- working toward our common goals.

This Milestone Report lays out the challenges we face and the goals that have been set to tackle them. In the data section, the issues are outlined as they exist today - some of which may seem daunting. With each challenge, there are clear outcomes we have set to achieve by 2020. But this report also makes a promise: We pledge to work together to achieve the goals we have laid out and to fulfill our commitment to the kids. That is the spirit of Milwaukee Succeeds and all who will join forces with us to take on this important work. We are a diverse group who pledges to collaborate and to focus on issues where our collective effort can make an impact. One issue at a time, one problem at a time working across the spectrum of cradle to career is how we will see success unfold.

We share the communitywide sense of urgency on improving the educational outcomes for children in our city, but we know that to create lasting change, we have to be in this for the long haul. This Milestone Report is just a starting point. It lays out the journey we have in front of us and the goals we expect to achieve along the way. We believe that by working together we all will get there. We know that by working together, we all will help Milwaukee succeed.

Exclusionary school discipline, also known as "zero tolerance," was chosen as the subject of this report for three reasons: it offers a window into inequalities in education, criminal justice, and broader social life; social scientists have come to a consensus about its harms and provided clear alternatives; and it illustrates the need for comprehensive knowledge and holistic solutions for complex problems.