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Permalink Reply by Rebekah L. Pierce on July 24, 2010 at 11:20pm

Oh, Lord! This is a loaded question. As a college English teacher, I'd say yes and no. No because over the past five years, I have seen the quality of students in terms of academic skills go down the tubes. They lack critical thinking skills because the public school systems seem to be too busy pushing them to pass standards. So, testing is the priority, not effective thinking or problem solving.

Yes because most of my students of color have no idea about their ancestors/history or their place in it. Schools have pushed them through because they have not the patience nor the desire to spend time teaching these children who are already behind at least 3 grade levels in many cases. So, by the time they get to me, they are not only too far academically challenged, but are so used to being pushed through, they have no idea what it means to think for themselves or how to learn.

So, that's my two cents! Believe me, I could go on forever on this topic.

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Permalink Reply by Rosita on July 25, 2010 at 1:03pm

I agree with you Rebekah. I believe too that children are not raised with enough confidence or self-esteem. When the family does not vaule education than the child does not value education.

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Permalink Reply by Vivian McKelvey on July 26, 2010 at 10:16am

I also agree with you Rosita. The parents do not value education the same. If parents speak out against standardized tests, then it will invoke change. However, I guess with the new wave of parents, education is not as important as, "Live and Love" or Live and Let Live". Common phrases I hear repeatedly.

The community isn't concerned with the children, the parents aren't conerned with the children, the teachers are somewhat scared of the children and the Administration won't back the teachers, because they are scared of the parents and the children themselves appear to just don't give a damn about any of it.

Children of color 'ARE' invisible, and the sad thing about that is, they don't care that they are. I am continuously wondering, how we can change this new mentality.

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Permalink Reply by Rosita on July 26, 2010 at 11:47am

Thanks for your comment Vivian. Its a cycle of poor parenting. Parents raise their kids based on how their parents raise them.Sometimes their parents parenting may have not been all that great.

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Permalink Reply by Joslyn Pickens on July 26, 2010 at 10:27am

im not invisible : ) ! see?
I AM going to be very successful and people WILL know my name. I CANNOT stand to see my friends and other lack confidence and never think of their future. I have mines set all out and I will NEVER give up. : ) I guess I AM that child who will walk amongst the INVISBLE and help them to become VISIBLE ... with my stength from God!


Joslyn Shavonne Pickens
http://www.bronzediva.ning.com

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Permalink Reply by Rosita on July 26, 2010 at 11:48am

Your right we need people like you working with our youth. Your comment inspires

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Permalink Reply by Kim Thomas on July 26, 2010 at 10:02pm

Loaded discussion question indeed! Although their positive presence has improved, for the most part they are not invisible when used to discuss the things they are doing wrong. It is my hope, my prayer, that we begin to acknowledge and accentuate the positive; uplift and assist, and that we do so in a manner that there is very little time or desire to cover the negative...my two cents :-).

Ms. Pierce: you are so true regarding students being pushed thru and I know it has to be frustrating for you.


great discussion!

Afro Puffs and Ponytails
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