WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's largest public school systems are now working with the White House to improving the lives of boys and young men of color as part of the "My Brother's Keeper" program.

President Barack Obama on Monday announced that leaders of 60 of the largest school systems have pledged to expand minority boys' access to better preschools and advanced classes and to try to prevent grade retention, suspensions and expulsions.

In addition, the NBA will recruit 25,000 new mentors and work with at-risk students to increase attendance and performance. AT&T is committing $18 million to support mentoring and other education programs.

The Emerson Collective is also committing $50 million to launch a competition to find and develop the best designs for next-generation high schools.

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 (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)