There is a math teacher in Aurora, Colorado, who is making a big difference by telling a group of black high schoolers the truth, and challenging them to buck the odds. The truth? Black kids, if current numbers continue, will score 13 percent lower than white students on their ACTs, earn $20,000 a year less after graduation, and, one in three will serve time in prison!
The teacher has challenged the kids to come to school early and stay late, to "kill the gap" and "blow up the statistics" against them. A group of students have accepted the challenge. They call themselves The Brotherhood. The group now numbers sixty members. One student, Mike Seals, has seen his GPA rise from 2.3 to 3.5. About the teacher, Bill Richardson, Seals says, "He's our biggest brother. We don't even notice any more that he is white!"
What is the response of the school distict administration? They are leary. They prefer to train the teachers to be attuned to the different cultures represented in the district. "A new approach might distract from what we're doing," says district spokeswoman Tustin Amole. "The Brotherhood kind of sets us back." "Telling young kids that most of you will fail, the worry is we're sending a message, however unconsciously, that we expect them to fail," Amole said.
So far, the group members have raised their GPAs an average of a half a letter grade in the year since the group was formed. The teacher does not plan to stop, even if they have to go "underground."
Is this a cool story, or what? All of the quotes and facts in this post come from a new Denver Post columnist named Susan Greene. You can read her whole column here.
3 comments:
Leave it to government bureaucrats to be unhappy because grades are going up.
This point is interesting:
"They prfer to train the teachers to be attuned to the different cultures represented in the district."
This is absolutely the worst type of expectations teachers and administrators can have in teaching blacks and other student groups with basic skills challenges.
I face the problem of motivating my black charges every year. I'll be perfectly honest with you: The challenge for lower income black Americans is not "institutional racism," or any of the other racist claims being made by the multicultural establishment. All groups, of all races and backgrounds, have challenges with income, culture, history, etc. But there's a cultural assualt on the black community that forms a unique challenge to the educational mobility of that group.
Just speaking out in these terms generates tremendous controversy, so educators avoid doing so. They in turn accomodate those less prepared by lowing standards and accepting excuses.
Teachers like you mention in the post are few and far between, and those that do pour their hearts out can only go on so long. Remember the movie "Freedom Writers" from last year? Erin Gruwell, the movie's protagonist, moved on to found an educational institute, after the tough times she spent in the classroom.
In my own work, I find myself meeting students half way - that is, if they show initiative, and a willingness to work hard, I'll go extra miles and miles to assist them in their goals. But my energy's limited - I teach six or seven classes - so unfortunately I know there's more outreach I could be doing to help those in need. I feel I have to change the culture at the institutional level, as it's not going to happen as quickly in the home.
I'll check out the link you provide. Check over at my place in the next day or two - perhaps I'll have a post up on it.
And please continue your writing on these issues - not enough bloggers understand (or care enough) about these challenges.
shoprat,
You got it!
donald,
I loved the movie "Freedom Writers!" I will look forward to your post on the subject.
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