Racial make up in honors vs. non-honors classes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My African American son takes 3 "on level" classes (including PE and an arts class) and 4 "advanced" classes at our local, majority white, middle school. At back to school night this week, I was pleased to see other AA parents in the halls, and in the lunch room. His first period class, one of the on level ones, had a number of other black parents. But when we went to Advanced English, or History, for example, every face in the room was white. I came home and asked him, and he confirmed. In each of his accelerated classes he was either the only, or one of two black kids. In his on level classes there were between 4 and 6 black kids total.

This same pattern existed last year. I'm curious whether other parents are noticing the same patterns in their kids' classes and how they talk about it with their children.

What's there to talk about? I'm AA and graduated from MCPS years ago and was the only or never more than two other black kids in all of my honors classes. Fast forward: my three AA kids (who recently graduated or are still in high school) attended/attend (1) TPMS Magnet-Blair SMAC, (2) Eastern Magnet-RM Magnet, and (3) TPMS Magnet-RM Magnet. And guess what? They are/were the only or one of very few AAs in their classes (whether a general ed or magnet class). By the way, my kid who is now in college at HYP, told me the other day that not only is she the only person of color (she's moved beyond just counting AAs) in two of the 5 courses she's taking this semester, in one of them, she's also the only female (out of 20 students and the professor!). So I think the only thing you could say to your son is "get use to it" and maybe also remind him that being in an honors or AP level class has little if anything to do with his race but mostly if everything to do with preparation, opportunity, and some times, even luck. BTW, my kid at RM doesn't even have 4-6 other black kids in PE -- so the racial makeup of your son's honors and grade level classes sounds good to me.

Agree with this 100%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"What resources do middle income families have that lower SES don't ? "

time, transportation and prior education.

"Why are Asians always out of ESOL quicker, surpassing AA and Caucasian test scores quickly and not living generation to generation in poverty?"

More Asian immigrants were either educated or had a business back home i thought given that it's more challenging to immigrate from Asia than Latin America to the US. This puts them in a better position to scramble for what's needed here.

You mean Latin America = illegal aliens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP with AA kid: Most of the above is BS. it is a racial issue. My kid is harassed on metro, pulled over for driving while black, constantly asked what sport he plays, told by white " friends" that he is taking the place of kids in DC who really need his spot at Big 3, told with no evidence that he should not enroll in difficult classes. He has been told by several people he would not be in his school if he were not black. These people have no idea of his grades and accomplishments. Black achieving kids are subjected to micro-aggressions fairly routinely at school and in society at large. Asian and white children are treated differently. If you don't think so,you have your head in the sand. That is why for me it is very important that my kid has black peers. They talk about these issues and how to maintain self esteem and motivation. You might read"Young, Gifted, and Black," by Theresa Perry if you are truly interested. Its worse for black boys than black girls. The data on black boys entering and finishing universities is appalling. You can try to make yourself feel better by telling yourself its bad parenting, but racism is still a big factor.

+1

PPs think race doesn't matter because doesn't it doesn't matter TO THEM because it affects them not at all.

I'm white and went to a HS (not in this area) that was majority AA. I was in mostly honors classes in HS and there were only like 3-4 AA kids in each of my classes (out of 30 or so), and it was usually the same kids. When I was there, when you wanted to sign up for an honors class, you just signed up. There wasn't any kind of application or anything. After I left, an AA kid whose mother was a principal at another school tried to sign up for an honors class and was told he couldn't take the class. His mother thankfully started asking questions about the process and who gets selected and why. Today, everyone has to apply for honors level classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP with AA kid: Most of the above is BS. it is a racial issue. My kid is harassed on metro, pulled over for driving while black, constantly asked what sport he plays, told by white " friends" that he is taking the place of kids in DC who really need his spot at Big 3, told with no evidence that he should not enroll in difficult classes. He has been told by several people he would not be in his school if he were not black. These people have no idea of his grades and accomplishments. Black achieving kids are subjected to micro-aggressions fairly routinely at school and in society at large. Asian and white children are treated differently. If you don't think so,you have your head in the sand. That is why for me it is very important that my kid has black peers. They talk about these issues and how to maintain self esteem and motivation. You might read"Young, Gifted, and Black," by Theresa Perry if you are truly interested. Its worse for black boys than black girls. The data on black boys entering and finishing universities is appalling. You can try to make yourself feel better by telling yourself its bad parenting, but racism is still a big factor.

+1

PPs think race doesn't matter because doesn't it doesn't matter TO THEM because it affects them not at all.

I'm white and went to a HS (not in this area) that was majority AA. I was in mostly honors classes in HS and there were only like 3-4 AA kids in each of my classes (out of 30 or so), and it was usually the same kids. When I was there, when you wanted to sign up for an honors class, you just signed up. There wasn't any kind of application or anything. After I left, an AA kid whose mother was a principal at another school tried to sign up for an honors class and was told he couldn't take the class. His mother thankfully started asking questions about the process and who gets selected and why. Today, everyone has to apply for honors level classes.

I'm a PP who is mixed race. I posted that OP's kid's peers are the ones that are in his classes and performing at his level, regardless of race. In that situation, it doesn't matter what race the other kids are. Why should it?

My DS has a good friend who is a fairly dark-skinned Muslim, with a very 'Muslim-sounding' name. He gets those 'micro-aggressions' that the PP mentioned and has even been a victim of physical aggression. And, he gets things said to him from not just white people, but AA kids also. He's a smart, nice kid and shouldn't have to deal with any of this BS. Luckily he seems to have a good set of friends and does well.

There will always be people who don't like you, based on race/weight/height/religion. I want my kids to know that they should surround themselves with people who are supportive and kind - these people can be of ANY RACE. But, also that your self-esteem really does have to come from within. You can't change how other people think or behave. You can only control yourself.

[Anonymous]

So let me guess, OP , you are at a so called "W" school? I'm sorry you didn't get the memo. If you did a little research, you would have learned this before hand. I thought it was a known fact. Whitman = white man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it is all about good preschool then why hasn't Headstart caused dramatic long term gains?

b/c it's also about self-awareness

The kids living in poverty (mainly section 8 housing) aren't forming bonds with those in more affluent areas. So by third grade, let's see who's having playdates with whom. Community/environment has a lot to do with success, too, as there's an emotional component that fits into the picture, too.

You misspelled "IQ"