Reply to Wilson honors for all - how has it worked?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
Please identify how to get this information  from “the source” I went to the parents information night and it certainly was not offered up there.[/quote]

Here's the FAQ from the Wilson site:

https://www.wilsonhs.org/ourpages/auto/2011/4/12/49270996/Honors%20for%20All%20FAQ%2011_2017.docx

Two things jumped out at me.  First, part of the "why did we do this":

[quote]The quantitative data clearly show significant differences in participation and results along demographic lines. The qualitative information revealed heretofore unspoken reasons for the quantitative results, and left little doubt that there are pervasive sources of bias throughout the academic system. Teachers at one feeder middle school recommended virtually all of their students for honors courses at Wilson, whereas teachers at another feeder school recommended virtually none. Students recounted the unexpected social signals they experienced, in anecdotes that were repeated frequently and provoked head nods from others. “I walked in and the teacher asked: ‘Are you sure you are in the right classroom?’” “I knew the answer, but my study group members wouldn’t accept it.” “My middle school classes were much more diverse. What happened at Wilson?”[/quote]

And the "How will we ensure that all students will be challenged?" section:

[quote]The curriculum is not less rigorous than the former honors classes. Teachers are using standard and accepted measures, such as Lexile scores, to ensure  that the level of challenge remains the same.[/quote]

Finally, the contact for questions is Rachel Laser at rachel@rachellaser.com.

[/quote]

You can find more information about Rachel Laser and HFA on her public professional website: https://www.rachellaser.com

On this website you can read her article "Why I Am Atoning For Racism" where she declares "Today, I, a white American, atone for my racism." Cliff notes: she is not atoning for any personal act of racism or even any racist thoughts but rather for "white privilege".

On her website, you can also see how Rachel uses her role in creating the diversity committee and implementing HFA at Wilson High School to market her professional consulting services on “racism and white privilege”.  Yes, that's right - she is using our Wilson High School to sell her professional services. It’s even on her resume. See her webpage titled “White Privilege & Rascism”: https://www.rachellaser.com/white-privilege-race where she states “Rachel Laser is founder and facilitator of the Wilson Diversity Task Force and works as a consultant on bridging racial and cultural divides.”

On Rachel’s website, Principal Martin actually provides a "testimonial" that identifies her as "Principal Kim Martin, Woodrow Wilson High School, Washington, DC".  See https://www.rachellaser.com/testimonials. Here is Principal Martin’s full testimonial:

[i]Throughout this school year, I am most proud of [b]the formation of the Diversity Task Force (DTF), which Rachel facilitated and helped create.[/b] When we started the DTF, all we knew was that we wanted to figure out concrete and measurable goals to bridge the achievement and well-being gap at Wilson. Each month, Rachel and I met to figure out an agenda that would ensure a productive and forward-moving meeting and she brought fresh ideas and models from other schools for me to consider. [b]In our early meetings, we discussed bias, the definition of racism and white fragility in way that laid a fertile and receptive foundation for our work to come.[/b] At many meetings, I used current Wilson data to highlight some inequality, and students who were affected by these inequalities spoke about their pain. Within six months, this committee was so focused on a goal that we could not prevent them from trying to “do something.” I am hopeful that what we are doing will move Wilson towards our goal. I am certain that the process we are using has tremendous merit and [b]I have asked Rachel to stay with us for another year.[/b] With Rachel’s help, I have also been reflecting on how my own background, experiences and perspectives have impacted the school change process. If you too are committed to concrete and measurable change in your workplace, [b]I highly recommend Rachel to work with your school, company or organization.[/b]
Principal Kim Martin
Woodrow Wilson High School, Washington, DC
[/i]
This testimonial is improper on multiple levels. First, a school principal should not publicly endorse anyone or any service, especially someone who is trying to profit from controversial changes to critical course offerings.  Second, let’s unpack what Principal Martin referred to as “the definition of racism” because it is not what you think it is.  Rachel has redefined the term “racism”. Here is how Rachel defines it on her website:

[i]“[b][u]Racism[/u][/b] is a deeply-rooted system in our country that [b]disadvantages and devalues people of color[/b] as a group and advantages and empowers white people as a group. Racism is also individual instances of hatred, prejudice or discrimination [b]by a person in a dominant racial group[/b] directed at a person of a marginalized racial group.” [/i](https://www.rachellaser.com/definitions)

Racism in her definition—and the definition embraced by Principal Martin—means that in the U.S. only white people can be racist. This is wrong and dangerous, and it shocks me that a principal of a diverse school would embrace such an inaccurate and intentionally biased definition.

Then there is the term “white fragility”.  I can thank Principal Martin for introducing me to this racist term.  Here is the definition on Rachel’s website:

[i][b][u]White fragility[/u][/b] is “a state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive moves. These moves include the outward display of emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and behaviors such as argumentation, silence, and leaving the stress-inducing situation. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium.”[/i] (https://www.rachellaser.com/definitions)

Again, the idea that a principal of a diverse school would use such a term is just wrong.  This term is intended to suppress discussion and stigmatize those that disagree.

I think it is useful for parents and students to know more about the public views of the two people responsible for bringing HFA to Wilson High School. It helps explain the trust issues that some parents have with the information provided by Wilson.

[/quote]

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