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

[Anonymous]

I am a white parent of a non- white child. A few years ago, before she was in elementary school, I would have agreed with several of the AA posters - the idea that this class is needed is insulting.

But now that my kid is in school? Believe me, white teachers need the class. If nothing else, it teaches them that their subtle and not so subtle biases are indeed able to be perceived by both students and parents and they need to try harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a white parent of a non- white child. A few years ago, before she was in elementary school, I would have agreed with several of the AA posters - the idea that this class is needed is insulting.

But now that my kid is in school? Believe me, white teachers need the class. If nothing else, it teaches them that their subtle and not so subtle biases are indeed able to be perceived by both students and parents and they need to try harder.

Note how the ultra left-wing whites want to keep us people of color down with their own brand of racism? What better way to keep people down than to keep telling them they need special help to be understood? This is plain and simple prejudice.

[Anonymous]

Someone please explain these biases and what exactly needs to be taught. Please explain how black students are so different.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 overuld 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.

Well, should we really give a damn if you are offended?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Really? You don't give a damn?

Then fine. If you think all whites are the same, then I feel very sorry for your own children, as they'll most likely grow up to hate us, too. You are not moving forward; you're staying behind.

You're a fine example.

Good luck overcoming some difficult barriers b/c you're only making matters worse by living in ignorance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

None of these "educated and accomplished professionals" have spent a day in a public school classroom. They are so far removed from reality that no one gives them an ounce of credit except for the far left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone please explain these biases and what exactly needs to be taught. Please explain how black students are so different.

Thank you.

Have you ever interacted with blacks? Doubt it. Its like a day at the zoo.

[Anonymous]

So..., anyways...., I love this thought from many PPs ago, and it's been around for a long, long time: "Expect the best from the kids and you might be surprised by the results."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone please explain these biases and what exactly needs to be taught. Please explain how black students are so different.

Thank you.

Have you ever interacted with blacks? Doubt it. Its like a day at the zoo.

You mean AA easter Monday at the national zoo last year? when knives were pulled, cars parked on Conn Ave were trashed, garbage everywhere, and stones were dropped off the Calvert Bridge onto runners & cars on Rock Creek Parkway??

This conjurs up all sorts of expertise lessons required in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

My kid is in private school and I think that some of the white teachers feel that he must be a charity case, not as smart or capable. Personally I would rather see teachers like this fired vs trained but they definitely exist. I do not like these classes it remains me of the Ebonics movement. I do think kids get labeled too quickly, especially boys. I'm sure. AA males are probably labeled the most.

[Anonymous]

This is old news in MCPS, people. Check out http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/bulletin/article.aspx?id=41074. A few years back Every teacher at my kid's red zone middle school was given (at what cost, one might ask) a copy of this book for required discussion (a large percentage of the staff was minority by the way.) Dig a little deeper. Do a little googling on critical race theory and education. Research the speaker referenced in MCPS piece. Check out the MCPS Equity team's book club: Http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/development/teams/diversity/diversity_book_club.shtm . You'll start to understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone please explain these biases and what exactly needs to be taught. Please explain how black students are so different.

Thank you.

Have you ever interacted with blacks? Doubt it. Its like a day at the zoo.

You mean AA easter Monday at the national zoo last year? when knives were pulled, cars parked on Conn Ave were trashed, garbage everywhere, and stones were dropped off the Calvert Bridge onto runners & cars on Rock Creek Parkway??

This conjurs up all sorts of expertise lessons required in the classroom.

Don't forget the ruckus in Silver Spring that prompted the County to propose a curfew. Why can't we start holding parents responsible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a white parent of a non- white child. A few years ago, before she was in elementary school, I would have agreed with several of the AA posters - the idea that this class is needed is insulting.

But now that my kid is in school? Believe me, white teachers need the class. If nothing else, it teaches them that their subtle and not so subtle biases are indeed able to be perceived by both students and parents and they need to try harder.

You are ridiculous, PP.

conflicted, too, I'd say

So don't preach to us when you can't even seem to find a balance with your own "non-white" child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Really? You don't give a damn?

Then fine. If you think all whites are the same, then I feel very sorry for your own children, as they'll most likely grow up to hate us, too. You are not moving forward; you're staying behind.

You're a fine example.

Good luck overcoming some difficult barriers b/c you're only making matters worse by living in ignorance.

Read PPs post it refers to racist teachers. Teacher, where does she say that all whites are the same? Is she really the one living in ignorance?

I can't believe the "we bend over backwards to help black boys" comment. Does it really take great effort?

[Anonymous]

ITA with the posters who are offended by the OP and the proponents of "AA are so much different than the the rest of you that we need to be treated much differently. We are not like you." I honestly feel sorry for people who walk around believing people hate you for the color of your skin. I am taking my DS out of a school that is TEACHING the Balkanization of America. When I was growing up, you were not allowed to stereotype. you were not allowed to get bad grades. You respected your family and everything you did reflected your family values. OP, you are LOST.