Originally posted by curme
It would sound a little more genuine if they cared about how Johnny couldn't read
before this issue came up.
(Not aimed at anyone specific)
But they
do care if Johnny can read.
In 2001, the state of PA took over the Philadelphia school system because it was in such bad shape. The whole system was revamped, teachers underwent
intensive training, a innovative curricula was adopted, specialized programs were adopted for "problem" and criminal students (including programs to
resocialize them back into the general school population), and partnerships were formed with the local universities, such as UPenn and Temple.
www.phillyneighborhoods.org...
Due to partial-privatization, extra money was available not only for these programs, but to build new schools. Due to federal budget cuts in
2003-2004, some of these programs were in jeopardy, but Philly schools are well on their way to improvement...
Thu, Jul. 22, 2004
Philadelphia students improve test scores
By Martha Woodall
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
In a room overflowing with cheering parents, students, teachers and administrators, Philadelphia School District officials this afternoon announced
that student scores on the state's all-important standardized exam showed remarkable improvement.
"It is not just a good afternoon, it is a great afternoon," said James E. Nevels, chairman of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission.
"We are particularly proud that our results outperformed state-wide percentage gains in five out of six categories."
*snip*
"This is the second year of healthy growth," Paul Vallas, schools chief executive officer, said. "But we never imagined that the bounce would be as
healthy as it has been."
Vallas noted that the district has a long way to go, but added that the new curriculum tied to state-academic standards, after-school programs for
struggling students and curriculum training for teachers had paid off.
www.philly.com...
Along with the innovative curricula that is being adopted in Philly, the move to make African American studies mandatory is being viewed as another
way to keep the nearly 70% of African American kids in schools engaged.
By making this course mandatory, the school district is demonstrating it's commitment to issues relevant to the students and the community.
But I am not sure why so many people have a problem with this.
Would people have such an issue with this if European history was a mandatory course (which it is--it's called HISTORY)?
What about Asian History?
Behind German, and Irish, African-American is the third-highest ancestry of Americans. Considering that European history has been mandatory for
decades, why wouldn't African American studies be appropriate, especially in a community where the majority of students are African American?
Children have been taught an indepth history of Europe for decades because it is part of America's history--shouldn't we also know the history of
black people and how they got here too?
Isn't it about time that we drop the last shreds of segregation and finally realize that black history *IS* American history too?
It is true that there other cultures to study (and students are "forced" to study American Indians quite extensively) and Philly students still have
four other social studies electives that they need to take in which they can experience other cultures, however African American studies are extremely
relevant in this--and every, community.
The push for African-American studies in the city dates back to at least November 1967, when a few hundred students demonstrating outside a
school board meeting clashed with police. Under the direction of then-Police Commissioner Frank L. Rizzo, officers clubbed some of the singing
students after a few climbed atop cars.
The district's 210,000 students are about 67 percent black, 14 percent Latino, 14 percent white and 5 percent Asian. Three years after a state
takeover that brought reform-minded schools chief Paul Vallas from Chicago, test scores are up and new buildings are planned to replace crumbling
schools, although violence continues to erupt.
School leaders hope the course will not only keep black students interested in their academic work, but also give other students a more accurate view
of history.
"It has an impact on our African-American children, but it also affects children from other cultures. Their perception is often skewed," said Sandra
Dungee Glenn, a member of the five-person School Reform Commission that unanimously approved of the requirement this spring.
With a better understanding of each other and history, students will have the "opportunity for better understanding in schools and in the
community."
www.phillyburbs.com...
