The Struggle Continues

African American and Hispanic students need the widespread support of their families and communities to make a competitive go of it in high school.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy birthday memories for the greatest American citizen of the 20th century.

'Educational Equity'

The latest buzz word in public education is equity. In this regard people who are advocating for equity are talking about making schools work better for poor people. But that is an archaic term in social science, so we say equity in reference to children in poverty. We lump in successful aims for minority groups with that too. On this subject - equity - I find myself listening to a lot of Pedro Noguera lately. He is a thoughtful and seemingly committed voice on the topic. Although he is not alone...Diane Ravitch wrote a good book on the demise of the great American schoolhouse that helps to lend perspective on the issue as well.

As a public school professional with most of his experience in (Title I) schools with significant numbers of children from economically disadvantaged households, I feel like it is my responsibility to listen to the debate on school reform. Although we characterize it, more conveniently, as school improvement. If I have one criticsm of the debate on equity versus high stakes testing and training it is that both sides speak as if the answer is formulaic. Indeed, prevailing notions of schools as places for Darwinian selection still exists among most educators of children. And despite the best characterization of teachers as academic professionals, workers rights and conveniences trump nearly everything reform measure taken -- no matter how slight.

The student-centered perspective is flawed too. It assumes that with the best laid table, all students will eat well, using good manners. It ignores the intense pressure from negative subculture, generational poverty, and the absence of effective parenting to will the student to that table of plenty when they would rather stay some place else.

From what I have experienced in my 14 years as a teacher and administrator, tradition, custom, politics and the economic reality that schools are as much a local economic entity as much as they are a place for learning, supercede any novel ideas about changing practices to advance equity. In fact, most schools, including those in poor districts have in place everything needed to accomplish a better outcome for more children than they do typically. That is, everything except the one thing that no amount money can fund. The polical will in some cases, and the courage to do it in others.

Black Boys

My wish for young black boys is that they find pride and dignity in themselves sooner, rather than later; that they stop participating the psychologically destructive sport of competitive put-downs known, among other names, as "the dozens"; that they listen more to the good menfolk in their midst -- because they are everywhere; that they read and think more openly and without timidity; that they pull up their pants up and tone the cursing down; that they become brave enough to be individuals, yet a part of a community; bold enough to walk into a wide open and anticipating world -- embracing the diversity; that they not see racism in every superficial slight; that they recognize to be formidable is to be educated; that they embrace the best examples of black manhood; that it include strong virile figures like Douglass, Robeson, and Garvey; that they understand that adversity is inevitable; and that they always maintain a place for womenfolk and God in their lives.

Alhamdulailah

Jazz

Jazz is the genre that permits a black man to openly carry and exercise his axe without causing alarm or a police action.

The Well

Listening to Ron Carter ruminate on his bass is like watching the early morning rountine of a one-thousand year old woman, as she prepares to draw enough well water for her entire village. She never fails to bring a pure cool bucket. Why?... Because she is one thousand years old.

Du'aa

Bismillah...


'Let there be no coercion in Islam.' Islam, Christianity and Judaism have far more in common than people care to know.