Have you brought up the issue of racial bias and if so how did it go?

[Anonymous]

This is something that is occurring in summer school but could apply to the regular school year. How did you approach the situation? Who did you bring it up to? I wonder about backlash on my child and that the administration won't take it seriously. If you have brought up an issue did it involve students of color who are Black or of another race? Do you think the administration would have a different reaction if it was a student of color of a different race?

[Anonymous]

I have tried to bring it up a couple of times over the years - both as a teacher and as a parent. I was either ignored or attacked on every occasion. We were in FCPS, and have since moved to a private which, while less diverse, is also a lot less racist.

[Anonymous]

I did when we were starting at a school with a very low Black student percentage (at the time 5% I think it has since dropped). We asked the principal to explain the very low test scores for Black students compared to the rest of the student body. He seriously addressed our question. Of course he said it wasn't racial bias but other issues. That said we haven't had any problems in the school or with our DD's education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did when we were starting at a school with a very low Black student percentage (at the time 5% I think it has since dropped). We asked the principal to explain the very low test scores for Black students compared to the rest of the student body. He seriously addressed our question. Of course he said it wasn't racial bias but other issues. That said we haven't had any problems in the school or with our DD's education.

Do those black students have a similar SES as the students in the rest of the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have tried to bring it up a couple of times over the years - both as a teacher and as a parent. I was either ignored or attacked on every occasion. We were in FCPS, and have since moved to a private which, while less diverse, is also a lot less racist.

This is my fear and the fear of every person of color. It's horrible that you can't bring these things up and if you do you're that parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did when we were starting at a school with a very low Black student percentage (at the time 5% I think it has since dropped). We asked the principal to explain the very low test scores for Black students compared to the rest of the student body. He seriously addressed our question. Of course he said it wasn't racial bias but other issues. That said we haven't had any problems in the school or with our DD's education.

Our school had a diverse racial population and kept stats on how many calls and e-mails went out to parents/caretakers to discuss behavioral or academic concerns and were not responded to. They also kept stats on pTA attention, volunteering, parent conference rsvp or attendance, etc. And on wellness checks for absent kids by the police or social workers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have tried to bring it up a couple of times over the years - both as a teacher and as a parent. I was either ignored or attacked on every occasion. We were in FCPS, and have since moved to a private which, while less diverse, is also a lot less racist.

This is my fear and the fear of every person of color. It's horrible that you can't bring these things up and if you do you're that parent.

So you want to bring up a social concern or tracking concern that you believe the school is being racially biased in and not including your child in something? Or changing standards around?

[Anonymous]

My DC and her friends were bullied by a student who was an SpEd and black during every PE class. The teachers, school counselor, and the principal would not do anything to protect the bullied. They told my DC and her friends to walk away. That was it. My DC hated PE classes.