Reply to Moving to Bethesda or Kensington

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/whos-to-blame-for-the-black-white-achievement-gap/2020/01

Wealth, schools, parenting, expectations, etc. matter.

How about such things as talking to your infant/child/preschooler? We know how much that matters in terms of wiring the brain for language acquisition, grammar and writing. [/quote]

So does race. If you think achievement gaps are explained entirely by socioeconomic differences or "parenting" (the majority of Black fathers live with their children and are actually more involved than White fathers https://www.vox.com/2015/6/21/8820537/black-fathers-day ), you aren't paying attention. Schools matter too, but race determines access to housing (because of both discrimination and the theft of Black people's wealth from slavery to redlining) which determines access to schools.[/quote]

Yes, I know all about systemic racism, redlining, etc. It’s literally my life’s work.

But I fear the response has been diluted if not derailed by fixating on history rather than addressing issues in real time. History is important, but redlining isn’t relevant to the op’s current decision of where to buy a home and enroll her child. They have resources that most county residents do not.

Nonetheless, they must make a choice that contemplates many issues, including race in terms of student body and teachers. Very important.

Lastly, the data (some of which has been shared already) doesn’t say it’s exclusively socioeconomics. Race matters. But it doesn’t only matter through the lens you assume; it’s not just “racism.” Race and culture matter when it comes to the educational level of the parents, fluency in oral and written English, expectations when it comes to behavior, subcultural norms related to school not being “cool,” etc.

This stuff is complex. Advocates and some researchers attempt to oversimplify it (often chasing research dollars seeking a spin). We should be able to properly educate kids in one of the more affluent public school systems in the country, yet we continue to struggle. I don’t think it’s because mcps is racist; it is indeed one of the most diverse, progressive and well-resourced systems on the planet. [/quote]

The fact that you put racism in quotes is pretty troubling. Racism works in tangible and documented ways. Bad parenting exists among families of all cultures and races. This stuff is complex but you sound extremely biased.[/quote]

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