I got a lot of great comments and questions from my post on my disgust with this “new academy” that is being put together. First, I loved how Deannie asked That Question about the race of the gentlemen who want to take our students from us for this school. Yes. In fact, they are African-American men. Some are educators who spent time on our district’s school board, some are PhD’s, some are businessmen. All, however, are concerned about achievement from our African-American males.
For the record, we are concerned, too.
The problem, as I see it, comes from the fact that not just our school or our district or our city is dealing with low achievement. This is a NATION-WIDE EPIDEMIC. Looking at data across the United States shows the same kind of test scores. And maybe that’s the problem: we rely too heavily on one single test to determine whether or not we’re achieving.
Something else that needs to be taken into consideration is the fact that this is an issue of poverty. It’s a social issue that encompasses the families these young men come from, the lack of educational opportunities, and yet it can be summed up like this: living in poverty keeps everyone behind.
Currently irking me is their request to get to help choose these students. They want to pick and choose (and, by the way, what about the White and Hispanic students of poverty who aren’t meeting achievement criteria?) the African-American males that will be in their academy. We have some negotiating to do in this area and will have the final say (Oh! That’s nice! Giving us some choice!), but they want to do something which is not only ethically wrong, but illegal: they would like to take only regular education students. They don’t want any special education students.
I’m guessing that the Americans with Disabilities Act folks will have something to say about that. But the fact that they don’t want to take on these students is sad. And wrong. Do you have a child with special needs? What if that prevented them from getting into a special academy? I do. One of my children has a learning disability and it would greatly upset me if it prevented him from benefiting from a special program aimed at increasing achievement.
Here’s the really funny part: special education issues all stemmed from one particular time in American history when other things weren’t so fair. The Civil Rights movement.
How about that?
September 11, 2006 @ 8:04 am | Filed under Education, Uncategorized | Permalink |
deannie Said,
September 11, 2006 @ 8:49 am
I pay my taxes, I fully support the teachers that come in contact with my daughter. Am I doing all I can do support those folks who are working the problem?
This is a complex situation that we each need to take personally since it affects society each and every day. Are we each treating our neighbor as ourselves if we ignore folks who are not being served by the current structure of society?
I have more questions than plans of action…and I like to be a doer. I hope this conversation turns toward what we can individually do…
hugs,
Sue Said,
September 11, 2006 @ 4:43 pm
I can relate to everything you are saying. DQ was one who fell through the cracks. According to the district she didn’t qualify for help. Her learning disability was not ‘bad’ enough. She stayed in regular classes with no extra help or guidance. She dropped out. And we all know the rest of the story there.
I fought the district to the best of my ability at the time. DQ is turning 26 next month. Last year while at the district office to get her records, they ‘verbally’ admitted that an entire group of kids ‘fell through the cracks’ due to lack of services and no vo tech available for kids not suited for college. No way will I ever get it in writing.
It is increasingly frustrating dealing with district policies. My thought is they should have more people like YOU involved in the policy making regarding issues such as the one you are facing now. I don’t know how you guys don’t go postal.
Keep up the good work.
Sue
Sue Said,
September 11, 2006 @ 4:43 pm
I can relate to everything you are saying. DQ was one who fell through the cracks. According to the district she didn’t qualify for help. Her learning disability was not ‘bad’ enough. She stayed in regular classes with no extra help or guidance. She dropped out. And we all know the rest of the story there.
I fought the district to the best of my ability at the time. DQ is turning 26 next month. Last year while at the district office to get her records, they ‘verbally’ admitted that an entire group of kids ‘fell through the cracks’ due to lack of services and no vo tech available for kids not suited for college. No way will I ever get it in writing.
It is increasingly frustrating dealing with district policies. My thought is they should have more people like YOU involved in the policy making regarding issues such as the one you are facing now. I don’t know how you guys don’t go postal.
Keep up the good work.
Sue
Tom Said,
September 11, 2006 @ 7:28 pm
Kelly,
I guess would have to ask the following.
Is this a program that is specifically targeted for African American boys? Or is supposed to include all under achieving boys? Has anyone asked? I am curious what the response would be.
Where I am from, most underachievers are english learners. My son does not fall into that category, but he needs extra help. That is hard to find if you are not in that specific target group.
So I can relate to what you are saying about singling out a certain group of students. All of the underachievers should be helped.
It must also be insulting to the teachers already in place. It seems like they are assuming something is wrong on that end, without even stopping by to see what is actually going on.
Time to bust out the kung-fu!
Julie Ann Said,
September 11, 2006 @ 7:32 pm
You are right on about how the Civil Rights Movement created an opportunity for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the American Disabilities Act and a lot of other public laws related to education. And let’s not forget the Women’s Suffrage Movement created the ultimate opportunity for all unrepresented groups to begin organizing for rights. If I had children, I’d be upset that African American girls were being left out of such an academy (focusing on education of that particular racial group).
As a special education teacher in California, I encounter the politics surrounding SpEd every day. Maybe the folks behind the Academy don’t want to deal with SpEd laws or pay more for highly qualified SpEd staff which can include the following: SpEd teachers, instructional assisstants, behaviorists, school psychologists, occupational and physicial therapists, not to mention speech and language therapists. Special Ed programs tend to cost more as result of all the highly specialized curriculum and programming staff. If the Academy is receiving state or federal funding, and I had a child with an IEP, I would question why my child couldn’t be included with the Academy’s group of regular education students.
Beckie Said,
September 11, 2006 @ 8:47 pm
Forgive me if this doesn’t make sense. I’ve had two hours of sleep in two days. I’m fading here.
This is why I’m currently doing it myself. I am not a teacher, and I worry myself sick that I won’t get it right for Adina. Unlike most homeschooling families, I’m not doing this because I /want/ to. I’m doing it because the current system gave me no other choice. I do it because I couldn’t fathom my 10 year old talking about suicide because school ripped her apart.
I admire teachers like you, Kelly. I don’t know how you do it every single day, but I wish there were a few Kelly’s where I live.
I’m so tempted to just rant here because this is so close to my heart, but instead, let me just say again: Thank you, Kelly. Thank you for being a wonderful teacher, and person. The world could use more like you, definitely.
Ron Said,
September 11, 2006 @ 10:13 pm
Great posting Kelly,
Poverty and education isn’t just a problem in the States…but it is a world-wide epidemic. Can’t tell you how many problems could be solved in Morocco if the education of its youth was better (I won’t mention how many girls get left behind in education). But, it is a sort of catch 22 here. The education won’t improve until the poverty issue is solved..the poverty issue won’t be solved until the education issue is changed for the better…..It is enough to make one crazy!
As for special needs kids….well from my own experience of mentoring a young man with Downs Syndrome in L.A. I can say that if they are given the right support and the opportunity, they can and will be successful and productive members of society. My young man (Jacob) is currently attending City College and has a job. Next year he will transfer to UCLA to complete his education. I was recently in L.A. for business and saw Jacob. He is happy and excited that he has the chance to improve his life…despite the set-backs he has faced. If only the rest of the country could see what progress he has made in the last 5 years that I have known him. They would understand that EDUCATION is paramount to success…for all students! Unfortunately this presidential administration is more worried about oil than education.
BRAVO KELLY! GIVE’EM HELL!
Love ya sweetie!
Ron
Betsy Said,
September 12, 2006 @ 3:16 pm
Oh, there are so many things that need to be fixed in this educational system of ours. But when will someone who has control over this stuff (ie state and federal officials) get SMART, hire a number of people who are currently working in the classroom (classrooms of all demographics), put them on a panel, actually LISTEN to what these people have to say, and do something contructive about it? When is our state/country going to become proactive instead of reactive (and NCLB is not proactive). When?
Josh Said,
September 12, 2006 @ 8:05 pm
I cannot believe that. There are so many laws being broken, I don’t know how they are getting the permission to go ahead with this.
No one actually looks at the circumstances that affect these students. I teach at a high-needs school. Many of our students are in the low socioeconomic status.
Kelli, you go girl…