Sounds like segregating without bussing.

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?

I am a white woman who teaches in a "majority minority" high school.

weird wording right?

I think it's insulting to hold these classes, as it's just another way to stigmatize a group of children. ALL kids benefit from interactive lessons. Engaging lessons include closely monitored group work where students are given roles as a way to ensure that EVERYONE participates. Once the structure is down, you can begin to work in criticial thinking skills by including material that is oftentimes controversial (the best!), timely, and w/in their grasp.

I am disgusted by these "courses." While I love learning about other cultures and am aware of cultural norms (fasting during Ramadan, for example), I don't understand how learning factors into this picture.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we didn't have it in London and half the class was Caribbean black or African. guess America is different in that respect.

Just because you didn't have it doesn't mean it isn't needed.

Many teachers in the US do not have this kind of training.

Yes, please tell me what type of training is needed for "African American" kids. Also, can you tell me what training we can have for white kids and Asian kids and Indian kids and Jewish kids...

It's all so very sperate but equal.

Interesting, my white daughter has grown up in a majority AA neighborhood and goes to a majority AA school (she is the 1% minority student).

So, you are saying that - the skills the teachers are learning are not for her? Because of the color of her skin?

Anonymous wrote:But, but, wait, aren't AA's just like the rest of us? Why the need for special classes?

We are animals that why. Didn't you know?

But, but, wait, aren't AA's just like the rest of us? Why the need for special classes?

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

What in the entire hell...

If this is true it's stupid. It treats AA as if they are a separate breed of human. Ready set kow tow to political correctness.

Anonymous wrote:we didn't have it in London and half the class was Caribbean black or African. guess America is different in that respect.

Just because you didn't have it doesn't mean it isn't needed.

Many teachers in the US do not have this kind of training.

we didn't have it in London and half the class was Caribbean black or African. guess America is different in that respect.

I am currently completing an urban education program. The classes aren't called "teaching black kids" but it's interwoven into everything we do as we are all teaching in predominantly black schools - my school is 100% black.

We read books like Reading for Their Life (http://www.amazon.com/Reading-Their-Life-Building-Adolescent/dp/0325026793) that talk about how the education system has failed black students and how to make sure that our teaching doesn't do the same. The things we talk about in relation to black kids supplement the normal ed stuff we get. It has been very helpful.

Generally the focus of these programs would be on recognizing our own biases as teachers, how textbooks, tests or schools can be biased towards black kids. Understanding how and why black boys are so disproportionally represented in sped or in suspensions/expulsions. And figuring out how to combat that.

We read literature like Sharon Flake. We considered the stress put on students who come from high poverty areas like Anacostia.

Does this answer your question?

Has anyone heard of this? What skills are teachers being taught?