|
|
|
|
EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVES |
Are We Blind and Deaf? -- Helping Our Black Boys |
Most of us in the African-American community must be blind and deaf if we do not see and hear the grim statistics, the hopeless stories, and the destructive images that suggest we are losing too many of our young black boys, particularly those who are from poverty. To see and understand the magnitude of this problem and then turn our heads or bury them in the sand is equal to saying, “I do not care about you, and I am helpless about changing the destructive course of your lives."
All of us can enumerate many reasons why our black boys have trouble being successful in these United States. Research shows that almost 50% of failing boys come from predominantly female-headed households where many fathers are imprisoned or absent for other reasons. In the educational system, many of these boys have few male educators who can serve as role models. The students are disciplined in their homes by female mothers or grandmothers; they are then sent to elementary schools that are virtually 98% female, disciplined by female teachers who then send them to female principals. For the first five years of these male students' very impressionable lives, they are primarily exposed to females. From elementary through high school these black boys are disproportionately suspended, expelled, and arrested in comparison to their white counterparts. Too many have severe academic problems, and get so far behind they are either retained, placed in special education, drop out of school or settle for a GED. Many of these boys' parents are not actively involved in the school setting because they work multiple jobs just to survive. When they are expelled or drop out of school, they become targets for the juvenile justice system because many do not have the skills necessary to be productive in the work force. Additionally, many middle and high schools are cutting vocational programs that could help students learn a viable work skill while attending school. Coupled with low expectations, bigotry, racism, drugs, the gangster media portrayal, and grim prison statistics, these black boys do not have a chance.
Now that some of the challenges our black boys face have been stated, what do we do to help them become successful despite these negative odds? What will it take to get our heads out of the sand, to wake up and take action? I am reminded of Jonathan Swift's “A Modest Proposal” which was written in l729. It is now hailed as the greatest satire ever written. In an attempt to solve the problems of poverty and thousands of children begging in the streets of Ireland because of the rich landlords, Swift suggested in his proposal that poor Irish families should fatten up their children and sell them as food for the rich land owners, thus solving the twin problems of starving children and poverty.
I often wish I could think like Swift of a solution so dramatic that it would wake up our black community and propel us into action. We have an obligation to protect and insure that our young are successful. They represent our future and will one day take care of us pending the outcome of their lives.
Next week's article will focus on solutions for caring for and securing our black boys achievement. We need to hear from you. Share your successes. |
 |
COLLEGE FAIRS AND NIGHTS |
As students consider the best college or university for themselves, they are encouraged to examine their personality type, their interests, and their educational goals. Students are also encouraged to determine if they are introverted or extroverted, shy or outgoing, whether they prefer large college classes or small college classes. The more students understand about themselves, the better they will be able to insure the best college fit. Parents should discuss with their child academic strengths and weaknesses, potential, goals, and values. All these things will help students as they maneuver through the maze of the college selection process.
One of the best ways prospective students can narrow their college choices is to actually visit their top three or four colleges and universities. Another alternative students have is to attend their school district's college night or college fair program. Over a three-month period (October – December) more than 500 college night or college fair programs will take place across the state of Texas. Students should check with their high school counselor to see when their school district will sponsor a college night or fair that is usually free to sophomore, junior, senior students and their parents.
School districts generally invite over 100 or more colleges, universities, technical schools, and military academies to attend College Night. Each of these institutions provides specific information on engineering, science, liberal arts, and other college programs. For students and their parents, the greatest benefit of attending the event is the face-to-face dialogue with college representatives and college alumni. College nights and fairs offer students and their parents information on courses offered, campus life, scholarship information, as well as financial aid.
Since college fairs and nights can be overwhelming, it is important to make some plans before, during, and after the fair. Before the fair, parents and students should bring with them a pen and small notebook which should list important questions to ask college representatives. Although most college representatives will provide a tote bag for important college information, students may want to bring their own tote to the event. During the college night or fair, first visit your top three colleges and universities. Most of the fairs provide a map that identifies the location of each college or university. Save time by referring to the map and highlighting the location of your top three colleges. Many college nights and fairs will also have time blocked out for information sessions offered by some of the colleges and universities most frequented by district students. You need to take time to attend these sessions if they apply.
Leave some time to browse and visit other college booths. After the fair, students should organize their material by creating a file for each of their top three colleges and universities. In addition, they should weed out information or material they do not need to keep. Finally, students should explore college websites and request catalogues if they feel more specific information is needed. Remember the college visit is one of the best ways to help finalize you college choice.
Last week's article on college admissions discussed steps students should take in the college admission process. As students consider the best college or university for themselves, they are encouraged to examine their personality type, their interests, and their educational goals. Students are also encouraged to determine if they are introverted or extroverted, shy or outgoing, whether they prefer large college classes or small college classes. The more students understand about themselves, the better they will be able to insure the best college fit. Parents should discuss with their child academic strengths and weaknesses, potential, goals, and values. All these things will help students as they maneuver through the maze of the college selection process.
One of the best ways prospective students can narrow their college choices is to actually visit their top three or four colleges and universities. Another alternative students have is to attend their school district's college night or college fair program. Over a three-month period (October – December) more than 500 college night or college fair programs will take place across the state of Texas. Students should check with their high school counselor to see when their school district will sponsor a college night or fair that is usually free to sophomore, junior, senior students and their parents.
School districts generally invite over 100 or more colleges, universities, technical schools, and military academies to attend College Night. Each of these institutions provides specific information on engineering, science, liberal arts, and other college programs. For students and their parents, the greatest benefit of attending the event is the face-to-face dialogue with college representatives and college alumni. College nights and fairs offer students and their parents information on courses offered, campus life, scholarship information, as well as financial aid.
Since college fairs and nights can be overwhelming, it is important to make some plans before, during, and after the fair. Before the fair, parents and students should bring with them a pen and small notebook which should list important questions to ask college representatives. Although most college representatives will provide a tote bag for important college information, students may want to bring their own tote to the event. During the college night or fair, first visit your top three colleges and universities. Most of the fairs provide a map that identifies the location of each college or university. Save time by referring to the map and highlighting the location of your top three colleges. Many college nights and fairs will also have time blocked out for information sessions offered by some of the colleges and universities most frequented by district students. You need to take time to attend these sessions if they apply.
Leave some time to browse and visit other college booths. After the fair, students should organize their material by creating a file for each of their top three colleges and universities. In addition, they should weed out information or material they do not need to keep. Finally, students should explore college websites and request catalogues if they feel more specific information is needed. Remember the college visit is one of the best ways to help finalize you college choice. |
|
Racial Harassment: Zero Tolerance
|
A few weeks ago a story hit the news about a student at Willbern Elementary in Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District . The African-American student who participated in the school's gifted and talented program was repeatedly subjected to racial harassment by her young peers.
This incident caused flashbacks of the Little Rock Nine and six-year old Ruby Bridges from New Orleans who defied the dragon of racial segregation and injustice by integrating schools at Central High and Williams Elementary.
To think that similar incidents are still happening in 2006 suggests that schools, and our nation in general have much work to do in securing racial equality and school safety for all persons living in America .
School safety should rank among the top concerns when creating safe environments that are free from harassment of any kind. “Racial harassment” means that someone is bothering you, threatening you, or treating you unfairly because of your race, skin color or ancestry.
Racial harassment may happen when someone makes racial slurs or jokes; ridicules or insults you because of your racial identity; puts up cartoons or pictures that degrade persons of a particular racial group; or calls you names because of your race, color, citizenship, place of origin, ancestry, or ethnic background or creed.
Harassment may take the form of harmful conduct from the most violent crimes to episodes of vandalism or persistent and abusive name calling among students that may deprive a student of equal educational opportunities.
If this harassment is not dealt with promptly, it can jeopardize students' academic performance, undermine their physical and emotional well-being, cause retaliation, or cause community conflicts. A racist understanding of the world is a distorted one. No child's needs are met if racism goes unchallenged in schools.
In order to stop harassment in its ugly tracks, when students share incidences of racial or other forms of harassment, parents must respond quickly and persist until they are satisfied that their child is again in a safe school environment.
If you feel your child is the victim of racial or any other form of harassments, these are some suggested steps to follow.
1. Reassure your child that he or she has done the right thing by reporting the incident to you.
2. Call the school principal to make an appointment.
3. Find out what procedures the school or district office has in place for racial discrimination and harassment on the basis or race, color, national origin, home language, religion, sex, age, handicap and other human differences. Ask for a written copy of the policy, guidelines, or procedures.
4. Ask if all students and staff have been trained on unacceptable behaviors regarding bullying or harassment and how such behavior will be dealt with.
5. Provide the principal with a written statement outlining the facts as you know them.
6. Be prepared to respond to any questions the school may have about the racial harassment charge. Remain calm but communicate firmly, your intentions of following through with the superintendent, school board, or law enforcement if something is not done promptly.
7. Ask how long the investigation will take.
8. Follow up to get the results of the investigation and make sure appropriate disciplinary action was taken.
9. The school superintendent and then the school board represent the final appeal in the school process.
10. Parents who are not satisfied with results at the school level, my appeal to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the United States .
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
