Special classes for teachers to learn to teach to African American children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know MCPS is conducting these classes but what I don't understand is why teachers are putting up with it. It would be a slap in the face to me if I were a teacher and was told that my college degree(s) didn't properly allow me to teach to all kids.

But wait....shouldn't MCPS in the name of social justice also have classes to teach to Asians, whites, Hispanics and all the other "groups" that matriculate?

While these courses may be offered (I haven't checked.), I have never been required to take one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a black woman this is beyond insulting. Why do you need special training to teach black kids??

Another black woman chiming in here. It goes way beyond insulting. This special training implies our boys, in particular, are subhuman. The whole issue concerning different standards of punishment when in comes to suspensions and expulsions, I've been aware of this during my children's years in private schools.

These were the same issues I grew up with several decades ago. Sadly, most of the boys that I grew up and attended school with didn't survive past 25. We attended preschool-high school together, most were bright and happy boys.

[Anonymous]

As an AA, I think this is ridiculous and some dangerous stereotypical assumptions are being made. This "training" would be useless in teaching my 3 AA kids and all of their AA friends. My kids have grown up middle class and gone to fully integrated public and private schools. Sure, there are come cultuaral differences that come from being in an AA family, but it does not impact how they learn and how they should be taught. Their educational experience is the same as their middle class peers of other races.

This traning is worthless because, you know, because, not all AA kids have the same experience - just like not all White, Asian or Latino kids have the same experiences.

[Anonymous]

You know, if they really want to reach minority students they should look at the studies done on department of defense schools and the test results that have virtually closed the achievement gap between white, black and hispanic kids.

The expectations on ALL the kids is high, both academically and behaviorally. And the kids live up to those expectations, in spite of tulmutuous home lives, moving frequently, physically absent parents, many families with only a high school education and large numbers who qualify for food stamps.

Expect the best from the kids and you might be surprised by the results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know, if they really want to reach minority students they should look at the studies done on department of defense schools and the test results that have virtually closed the achievement gap between white, black and hispanic kids.

The expectations on ALL the kids is high, both academically and behaviorally. And the kids live up to those expectations, in spite of tulmutuous home lives, moving frequently, physically absent parents, many families with only a high school education and large numbers who qualify for food stamps.

Expect the best from the kids and you might be surprised by the results.

But there's this sense of community among military families. So the expectations are the same regardless of SES, education level, family make up, etc.

[Anonymous]

As a person, the idea that this even exists is very insulting to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a black woman this is beyond insulting. Why do you need special training to teach black kids??

Another black woman chiming in here. It goes way beyond insulting. This special training implies our boys, in particular, are subhuman. The whole issue concerning different standards of punishment when in comes to suspensions and expulsions, I've been aware of this during my children's years in private schools.

These were the same issues I grew up with several decades ago. Sadly, most of the boys that I grew up and attended school with didn't survive past 25. We attended preschool-high school together, most were bright and happy boys.

I don't see it as insulting or implying that our boys are subhuman. I thought 20:34's response was a good one that showed why it may be needed in some areas.

If you can acknowledge the issue in bold as being true, why are you against a class that helps teachers confront their prejudices? There's been research that shows that the prejudice against black students (particularly black boys) isn't just shown in unfair punishments, but also in how the students' work is graded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a black woman this is beyond insulting. Why do you need special training to teach black kids??

Another black woman chiming in here. It goes way beyond insulting. This special training implies our boys, in particular, are subhuman. The whole issue concerning different standards of punishment when in comes to suspensions and expulsions, I've been aware of this during my children's years in private schools.

These were the same issues I grew up with several decades ago. Sadly, most of the boys that I grew up and attended school with didn't survive past 25. We attended preschool-high school together, most were bright and happy boys.

I don't see it as insulting or implying that our boys are subhuman. I thought 20:34's response was a good one that showed why it may be needed in some areas.

If you can acknowledge the issue in bold as being true, why are you against a class that helps teachers confront their prejudices? There's been research that shows that the prejudice against black students (particularly black boys) isn't just shown in unfair punishments, but also in how the students' work is graded.

Give me a break. If anything teachers bend over backwards to help black boys. To be quite honest sometimes its to avoid confrontation which frequently happens.

[Anonymous]

Give you a break?

Okay 18:11, we'll just take your word as gospel and ignore research done by educated, accomplished professionals. Tell us more, anonymous one.

[Anonymous]

The minds posting on this thread are so closed and hostile that I won't respond any further.

People aren't looking for answers, they are looking for a fight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a black woman this is beyond insulting. Why do you need special training to teach black kids??

Another black woman chiming in here. It goes way beyond insulting. This special training implies our boys, in particular, are subhuman. The whole issue concerning different standards of punishment when in comes to suspensions and expulsions, I've been aware of this during my children's years in private schools.

These were the same issues I grew up with several decades ago. Sadly, most of the boys that I grew up and attended school with didn't survive past 25. We attended preschool-high school together, most were bright and happy boys.

I don't see it as insulting or implying that our boys are subhuman. I thought 20:34's response was a good one that showed why it may be needed in some areas.

If you can acknowledge the issue in bold as being true, why are you against a class that helps teachers confront their prejudices? There's been research that shows that the prejudice against black students (particularly black boys) isn't just shown in unfair punishments, but also in how the students' work is graded.

Give me a break. If anything teachers bend over backwards to help black boys. To be quite honest sometimes its to avoid confrontation which frequently happens.

To some extent, the PP is right. I'm not saying that PP's tone isn't harsh; however, there's some truth to it. When we look at school progress, we are specifically asked to examine the numbers of African American, Hispanic, ESOL and SPED students who will help us make adequate yearly progress. Over the year, we always discuss closing the gap. So while we don't necessarily discuss ways to work with our AA population, for example, this group is one that's targeted. So is it any wonder that the county creates these courses to "enlighten" us?

The push from the top always drives what we do, and eventually it becomes "the norm." So we don't tend to question things as often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a black woman this is beyond insulting. Why do you need special training to teach black kids??

Another black woman chiming in here. It goes way beyond insulting. This special training implies our boys, in particular, are subhuman. The whole issue concerning different standards of punishment when in comes to suspensions and expulsions, I've been aware of this during my children's years in private schools.

These were the same issues I grew up with several decades ago. Sadly, most of the boys that I grew up and attended school with didn't survive past 25. We attended preschool-high school together, most were bright and happy boys.

I don't see it as insulting or implying that our boys are subhuman. I thought 20:34's response was a good one that showed why it may be needed in some areas.

If you can acknowledge the issue in bold as being true, why are you against a class that helps teachers confront their prejudices? There's been research that shows that the prejudice against black students (particularly black boys) isn't just shown in unfair punishments, but also in how the students' work is graded.

Give me a break. If anything teachers bend over backwards to help black boys. To be quite honest sometimes its to avoid confrontation which frequently happens.

Are these special classes primarily for white teachers who have been written up as participating in acts of prejudice in their classrooms? You know, the dear ones who bend over backwards to help their black students (particularly black boys). The ones who assume every little black boy they encounter in their classrooms have a learning disability and won't amount to much anyway so just pretend that their hand isn't up (hoping he'll stop raising it for good) or pretend that they don't understand what they're talking about whenever they respond with an answer to your questions. Or are you talking about those who change their tone of voice or reveal through nonverbal actions that they believe the child is unteachable?

http://toped.svefoundation.org/2011/10/06/disparate-discipline-in-public-schools/
http://multiamerican.scpr.org/2012/03/why-are-black-and-latino-kids-punished-more-in-school/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/education/black-students-face-more-harsh-discipline-data-shows.html
http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/03/06/black-students-receive-harsher-discipline
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2012/0306/Minority-students-are-punished-more-than-whites-US-reports.-Is-it-racism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a black woman this is beyond insulting. Why do you need special training to teach black kids??

Another black woman chiming in here. It goes way beyond insulting. This special training implies our boys, in particular, are subhuman. The whole issue concerning different standards of punishment when in comes to suspensions and expulsions, I've been aware of this during my children's years in private schools.

These were the same issues I grew up with several decades ago. Sadly, most of the boys that I grew up and attended school with didn't survive past 25. We attended preschool-high school together, most were bright and happy boys.

I don't see it as insulting or implying that our boys are subhuman. I thought 20:34's response was a good one that showed why it may be needed in some areas.

If you can acknowledge the issue in bold as being true, why are you against a class that helps teachers confront their prejudices? There's been research that shows that the prejudice against black students (particularly black boys) isn't just shown in unfair punishments, but also in how the students' work is graded.

Give me a break. If anything teachers bend over backwards to help black boys. To be quite honest sometimes its to avoid confrontation which frequently happens.

To some extent, the PP is right. I'm not saying that PP's tone isn't harsh; however, there's some truth to it. When we look at school progress, we are specifically asked to examine the numbers of African American, Hispanic, ESOL and SPED students who will help us make adequate yearly progress. Over the year, we always discuss closing the gap. So while we don't necessarily discuss ways to work with our AA population, for example, this group is one that's targeted. So is it any wonder that the county creates these courses to "enlighten" us?

The push from the top always drives what we do, and eventually it becomes "the norm." So we don't tend to question things as often.

So you agree that doing your job is "bending over backwards?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a black woman this is beyond insulting. Why do you need special training to teach black kids??

Another black woman chiming in here. It goes way beyond insulting. This special training implies our boys, in particular, are subhuman. The whole issue concerning different standards of punishment when in comes to suspensions and expulsions, I've been aware of this during my children's years in private schools.

These were the same issues I grew up with several decades ago. Sadly, most of the boys that I grew up and attended school with didn't survive past 25. We attended preschool-high school together, most were bright and happy boys.

I don't see it as insulting or implying that our boys are subhuman. I thought 20:34's response was a good one that showed why it may be needed in some areas.

If you can acknowledge the issue in bold as being true, why are you against a class that helps teachers confront their prejudices? There's been research that shows that the prejudice against black students (particularly black boys) isn't just shown in unfair punishments, but also in how the students' work is graded.

Give me a break. If anything teachers bend over backwards to help black boys. To be quite honest sometimes its to avoid confrontation which frequently happens.

Are these special classes primarily for white teachers who have been written up as participating in acts of prejudice in their classrooms? You know, the dear ones who bend over backwards to help their black students (particularly black boys). The ones who assume every little black boy they encounter in their classrooms have a learning disability and won't amount to much anyway so just pretend that their hand isn't up (hoping he'll stop raising it for good) or pretend that they don't understand what they're talking about whenever they respond with an answer to your questions. Or are you talking about those who change their tone of voice or reveal through nonverbal actions that they believe the child is unteachable?

http://toped.svefoundation.org/2011/10/06/disparate-discipline-in-public-schools/
http://multiamerican.scpr.org/2012/03/why-are-black-and-latino-kids-punished-more-in-school/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/education/black-students-face-more-harsh-discipline-data-shows.html
http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/03/06/black-students-receive-harsher-discipline
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2012/0306/Minority-students-are-punished-more-than-whites-US-reports.-Is-it-racism

While I know that PP's tone angered you, I - as a white teacher with mostly minority students - am also offended by your tone. Not all white teachers are racist and hold minorities to lower standards. Your last comment is especially obnoxious.

I have no idea what your race/ethnicity is. You could be a white female, too, for all I know.

Either way, you should really sit on your response before you hit submit b/c YOUR racism is shining through quite nicely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a black woman this is beyond insulting. Why do you need special training to teach black kids??

Another black woman chiming in here. It goes way beyond insulting. This special training implies our boys, in particular, are subhuman. The whole issue concerning different standards of punishment when in comes to suspensions and expulsions, I've been aware of this during my children's years in private schools.

These were the same issues I grew up with several decades ago. Sadly, most of the boys that I grew up and attended school with didn't survive past 25. We attended preschool-high school together, most were bright and happy boys.

I don't see it as insulting or implying that our boys are subhuman. I thought 20:34's response was a good one that showed why it may be needed in some areas.

If you can acknowledge the issue in bold as being true, why are you against a class that helps teachers confront their prejudices? There's been research that shows that the prejudice against black students (particularly black boys) isn't just shown in unfair punishments, but also in how the students' work is graded.

Give me a break. If anything teachers bend over backwards to help black boys. To be quite honest sometimes its to avoid confrontation which frequently happens.

Are these special classes primarily for white teachers who have been written up as participating in acts of prejudice in their classrooms? You know, the dear ones who bend over backwards to help their black students (particularly black boys). The ones who assume every little black boy they encounter in their classrooms have a learning disability and won't amount to much anyway so just pretend that their hand isn't up (hoping he'll stop raising it for good) or pretend that they don't understand what they're talking about whenever they respond with an answer to your questions. Or are you talking about those who change their tone of voice or reveal through nonverbal actions that they believe the child is unteachable?

http://toped.svefoundation.org/2011/10/06/disparate-discipline-in-public-schools/
http://multiamerican.scpr.org/2012/03/why-are-black-and-latino-kids-punished-more-in-school/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/education/black-students-face-more-harsh-discipline-data-shows.html
http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/03/06/black-students-receive-harsher-discipline
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2012/0306/Minority-students-are-punished-more-than-whites-US-reports.-Is-it-racism

While I know that PP's tone angered you, I - as a white teacher with mostly minority students - am also offended by your tone. Not all white teachers are racist and hold minorities to lower standards. Your last comment is especially obnoxious.

I have no idea what your race/ethnicity is. You could be a white female, too, for all I know.

Either way, you should really sit on your response before you hit submit b/c YOUR racism is shining through quite nicely.

I'm an AA mother. These are examples of classroom treatment that both of my children have shared with me and family members over the years. I really don't give a damn if you are offended. I know several AA parents whose children have had similar school experiences. They're all under 17.