A MUST READ----->If I were a poor black kid....

This blog has really got me thinking. As an educator in a poor black community it is easy to conceive many ideas about the education system. I work in the education system and I will be the first to tell you... Many people don't understand the struggle for our kids until you actually visit and talk with a child and a parent in there home and see first hand what a poor black child must deal with on a regular basis....

The school system's in American fail to realize that many factors must go into a child's success and its not always about a child not working hard....

A child must be steered into the right direction, a child must be told what guidance counselors are used for, a child must be taught how to use the internet for other things then Facebook, a child must be taught things what are acceptable behaviors and if no one is teaching a child where and how to these things a generation will continue to be bleak.

Let me also say that I do not negate what the author of this blog says, but I do want him, and others like him (white middle class) to realize that the struggles are not just academics, but a social one as well. Not always about money (but sometimes it is) but the recognition of where and what is available and the sources of these unwritten rules of success.

A child must have the knowledge and the know how to be able to find an internship, and understand what an internship is and how valuable it will be to him in the future. A child must be taught/ told to tuck in his or her shirt, where a suit and jacket to an interview, not the Jordan's and baggy jeans or the tight hip hugging jeans with yellow diamond studs.

Have you ever gone to school with no socks on your feet?, Shoes to small?, No food in your stomach?, Not brush your teeth in 3 days?, or how about live in an area where you don't have any running water on certain days?, Rat infested house?, an overflowing dumpster outside your bedroom window?, Mothers on drugs or picked you up from school and cant keep her balance because she has been drinking all day?

And yet this teacher is trying teach me to add and spell Cat?---- No, I have to worry about what Im going to eat for dinner tonight because I haven't seen my mother in 2 days and Im 9 years old.

Yeah its real out here....Im done, well not really but Ill stop there.

Some quotes from the blog/essay:

"If I was a poor black kid I would first and most importantly work to make sure I got the best grades possible. I would make it my #1 priority to be able to read sufficiently."

"Is this easy? No it’s not. It’s hard. It takes a special kind of kid to succeed. And to succeed even with these tools is much harder for a black kid from West Philadelphia than a white kid from the suburbs. But it’s not impossible. The tools are there. The technology is there. And the opportunities there."

"And once admitted to one of these schools the first person I’d introduce myself to would be the school’s guidance counselor. This is the person who will one day help me go to a college. This is the person who knows everything there is to know about financial aid, grants, minority programs and the like."

Please go read it and the accompanying blogs that respond to this essay.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/quickerbettertech/2011/12/12/if-i-was-a-poor-black-kid/

LOVE THIS MAN!!! - My new hero!

This man is a change maker. Love his vision for education and what he has done.

Just for a better Education...

I find this a catch 22...

An Ohio mother wanted a better education for her children so she used her fathers address who lives in a better distinct. Consequently she was caught and was told to serve 10 days in jail. What makes the story even worse is that she was going to school to become a teacher and now will never be able to with her background as a convicted felon.



Now... as an educator, I see the wrong side of this. Legally this women was wrong on all counts. If I were the superintendent or the judge I would just make her pay a fine and tell her children to please leave or pay tuition, simple as that.

As a parent, I see this as a terrible situation for the mother. Obviously, she knows the value of a good education as she herself is going to school for a degree in teaching, as well as trying to advance her children.

Although many people may not agree with me but I do believe that if you work with your child and your child's teacher closely even in a "bad" school you will get a good education. I'm not saying it will be easy, but parents need to advocate for their children. The problem here is most parents don't know what to do or say on behalf of their children for them to receive the proper education.


Anyway... What are your thoughts??!!!

*side note - I know this type of situation occurs often, I'm not saying do it, but I'm damn sure not saying don't. Do what you have to do folks, just be smart about it.

When will all schools be equal and this wont be an issue or a problem?!