The state NAACP has called an urgent meeting for Sunday to discuss the latest actions of the Wake County school board.
According to a flier posted on Bob Geary's blog on the Independent, the Sunday forum asks “What is the Nature of the Threat of Re-Segregation Raised by 5 out of 9 Wake School Board Members?"
The flier includes the phrase "We Will Never Go Back!"
The meeting is at 5 p.m. at the Martin Street Baptist Church, 1001 East Martin Street in Raleigh.
The meeting is being called by the Rev. William Barber and presidents of three Wake County chapters of the NAACP. Those three local chapters are among the members of the Great Schools in Wake Coalition that's anti-new school board majority.
The state NAACP has previously threatened to sue if it feels the new school board's policies lead to resegregation. Barber's request to make a 45-minute presentation at a January school board meeting was rejected by school board chairman Ron Margiotta.
Comments
"Maybe a little different
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 17:28 — shank56"Maybe a little different ... to what extent should parents be allowed to contribute to compensate for the financial deficiencies of WCPSS ... if everyone is getting the same basic education and some parent buy nicer band uniforms so be it ... but if WCPSS allows the system to sink in hopes that some parents will compensate that is unfair to everyone."
User,
Totally agree. No question this county is underfunded but I do not see the CC stepping up- especially since the new BOE members are hanging out with the Taxpayers Association.
"Totally agree. No question
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 19:43 — user12345"Totally agree. No question this county is underfunded but I do not see the CC stepping up- especially since the new BOE members are hanging out with the Taxpayers Association. "
I am guessing that the newbies will still need to be responsive to improving performance ... they did not run on reducing taxes but improving the system. I just don't see them getting any points next time around for keeping metric like graduation rates and %pass the same as the bad old status quo ... or for reducing the tax rate along with the school's perfomance ... I think their only way to survive is to improve performance (woodstock's 54% test) or they will be gone ....
The flier includes the
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 16:24 — woodstockThe flier includes the phrase "We Will Never Go Back!"
This may be representative of the root of the problem. No one is asking anyone to "go back," the suggestion is to step up, take responsibility and MOVE FORWARD. Bitching and moaning and blaming others for your plight is easy. Acknowledging that you are not powerless and taking the initiative to overcome your challenges/deficiencies takes work and commitment.
Maybe the contrast between those approaches explains why the NAACP chooses one approach over the other.
Did anyone show last night?
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 13:05 — g88ky07Wondering how the "threats and bash 'em meeting" went.
Encouraging
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 12:53 — red_balloonSo, if the goal is to get people back into their neighborhoods and the fear is that Black schools will get inferior resources, than there are ways to address those fears – policies, funding, etc.
User - That's a step forward. I hope your view is shared by the NAACP, etc.
I think if we could be
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 11:42 — user12345I think if we could be honest, we could find our way through all this. First, the mood of the present majority is to send kids to their neighborhood school …. They ran on that platform, were elected on that platform, and will execute the action to make that happen. Second, neighborhoods are segregated by income and race. There is high concentration of Blacks in SE Raleigh. Therefore, it appears that neighborhood schools will make the schools in that area all Black. There is a long history of segregating Blacks to certain schools and areas and providing them with inferior facilities and meager resources by the White power structure. I am sure that is what is driving the fear. While many will say the old BOE failed these folks, I am sure many find the present pathetic results better than what many remember as children going to all Balck school. So, if the goal is to get people back into their neighborhoods and the fear is that Black schools will get inferior resources, than there are ways to address those fears – policies, funding, etc.
When I lived in Atlanta, there was one Black school made up of middle and upper income Black families that outperformed the White schools … they had no fear of being left out or depending on the scraps Whites left them because they controlled their own resources, teachers and schools which could not be siphoned off to the White schools so they did not fear resegregation and may even have welcomed it. I think this is a battle over resources and a history of racial disparity has made many Blacks suspicious of how they are going to come out when it is all said and done.
Why is it Always
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 22:40 — local23Why is it that these conversations are always about black and white? What about Hispanics, American Indians, Asians, Eastern Indians, Multi-National's???
Have you really looked at the demographics of all of Wake County and then the surrounding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 miles radius of the schools to the demographics? Don't you also realize the BOE has plans to allow for choices? If parents don't want their children to go to a neighborhood school, then they can choose a Magnet, YR or even the next neightborhood school. I believe they are allowing for parental choices - not forcing as what has been done in the past!
If anyone has a complaint, IMHO - it's the American Indian children..their hertiage has faced extreme difficulty in schooling and society..but that's for another conversation.
Thank you
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 18:56 — SDR256Hey User - in fact I think this is a breakthrough. Keep going.
"There is a long history of segregating Blacks to certain schools and areas and providing them with inferior facilities and meager resources by the White power structure. I am sure that is what is driving the fear. "
And yet, from many perspectives we are such a long way from that terrible past that segregation was. And from many perspectives, throwing that up in front of us now minimizes what those folks struggled against. Face it. The freedom fighters of that day were stronger than any of us are. They would have scorched us in their day as far as reaching for what is best. Let's respect what they did by not trying to boil it down into 'headlines' and sensationalism that fits today's needs and - mostly - wants. I respect and and am in awe of what they did. I don't know if I could do it. What offends me is the constant use of that work, that deep moral core they had to have to do what they did, as some kind of flag. Some kind of re-usable shirt. We all have a moral core and we need to find it and connect it with what we're doing. This 'us vs them' mentality that has been promoted on this topic is just our culture's attempt to create a feedback loop for our own thoughts to power the media that is the center - apparently - of all of our lives.
You're on to something here user. Find the levels of grey. Don't bow down to the us vs. them/ black and white world.
All of the interactions I've had over the last year have taught me that maybe I have even more to learn than I thought I did. The main thing is that we all need to, want to, must do more for the children in Wake County. And that's good, right? That there are more people concerned and focused on education? The key will be to find common ground and move forward.
And yet........
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 19:07 — lferreri"And yet, from many perspectives we are such a long way from that terrible past that segregation was." I understand what you are saying and I agree but, at the same time, the SAS report and other E&R reports indicate that there is still a long way to go.
True
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 21:12 — SDR256Yes, and this is the conundrum. We have come such a long way in one regard, and slid back in another regard. Ask any older African American if they feel that their community is better and more cohesive now or in the past. I cannot tell you the answer. I just wonder based on what I have heard myself and theorize. This might be a very interesting survey to do.
I think
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 12:50 — Bob_SconceI think you have the wrong impression of the current majority's view. Under your impression, the current majority would also end the magnet program, because it means sending kids to distant schools. Yet, they have specifically said that they have no intention of doing that.
I suggest that a better view is that students ought to be able to go to a neighborhood school if they choose to and, further, that we should presume that students want to go to their neighborhood school unless they say otherwise.
On another note, I've always thought that it was insulting to people of African descent to assume "the only way for you to suceeed is if we surround you by white people."
Fear is absolutely driving
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 12:21 — jenmanFear is absolutely driving this. We've had these discussions before and I think that we are in agreement for the most part. WSCA tried reaching out to Calla but I think she is so driven by fear and suspicion that she can't get past it.
While many will say the old BOE failed these folks, I am sure many find
the present pathetic results better than what many remember as children
going to all Balck school.
There is a major shift in thought between the older and younger generations. Many of the leaders in the black community seem to be older or older learning in thought. They are the ones who remember getting bused past 5 nice white schools to get to the 'black dump' (words of speaker at one of the CCCAAC meetings). Younger ones are beginning to realize that the bigger issue is not where the kids are going to school but what's happening to them in the schools. You can get bused out to brand new, shiny Green Hope but if you're still not getting the education you deserve then that's a problem.
Balance
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 12:34 — supportwcpssBut Jenn - how do you balance both?? This is not a 'old people still have prejudice" and youg people do not. It's not that clear cut.
I've said this before but race is still an issue in ths country so I believe some of their concerns are still valid. It might not be for you and I but overall we have to find a balance of both.
Hmm...
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 13:22 — Bob_SconceThere is still something to the "old people still have prejudice and young people do not" theory, but I think it should be cast differently. First of all, I've met prejudiced young people, so it's certainly not universally true.
But, more importantly, we all see the world in terms of our own experiences -- people who grew up in the South in the 40's and 50's are much more suspicious of "returning" to those times than people of my generation who didn't because they are partially blinded by their experience. It's hard for them to understand that ending a program that was intended to solve a problem may not cause a return to that problem.
When the 55 mph speed limit was repealed, lots of people thought it would lead to a huge increase in highway deaths because instituting that limit led to a huge decrease in deaths. But, the repeal didn't lead to that huge increase. And, that's because cars, roads and drivers all became a lot safer in the meantime. Ending the "diversity" program is the same way.
support--I don't know how to
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 13:11 — jenmansupport--I don't know how to balance both, and I do realize that that its not clear cut. Most definitely race is still an issue in the country and I definitely think it is a major issue in Wake county. But nobody seems to be willing to really talk about it.
I spoke with Kevin Hill once when he was running for BOE. I told him that although I support having a diversity policy, I didn't agree with how its being carried out. (long distances, the usual stuff) I said that this area still has a lot of baggage from segregation and that it really affects how things are done. He didn't see that at all. Not even a little and frankly, that shocked me. I didn't say it was bad and I wasn't being 'accusing'. Just saying that its an issue and one that we need to start addressing. Again, I was absolutely floored when he said, "really? I don't see that at all." Not at all?
Anyway, I've always said that you and I agree much, much more than we disagree. WSCA reached out to the AA community and made a little bit of progress but never any reciprocation. The incident that got WSCA people kicked off of Calla's website was completely benign. I wish that she had asked the person directly instead of just kicking her off and then posting a 'warning' to the rest of the group basically implying that we had been there with ulterior motives.
Frankly, I don't know how to bridge that gap. It feels very much like a one-way street but we'll keep trying. So much of it is political. It seems that people can't discuss these issues without it turning into 'us against them', republican vs dem, and that's just not how it is.
Thanks for asking the question--what thoughts do you have on how to move ahead?
Jen, can you give any more
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 14:40 — carson79Jen,
can you give any more information on what efforts were made to reach out to the AA community? I posted to you below but not sure you saw it. Can you tell us what the incident was that got WSCA people off the website?
I asked below what WSCA's policy was on diversity? Was there one?
Since CCPAAC is specifically pro-diversity, I thought I could understand exactly why people were removed from the list - if you know of something otherwise, fill us in.
One of our leaders contacted
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 16:02 — jenmanOne of our leaders contacted Calla and they had coffee or lunch together--I think for about 2 hours. This person felt very hopeful after the conversation and thought good communication had come out of it. We were then inviited to a program at Martin Street Baptist on the diversity policy. Several of us went, a few of us spoke during the 'open mike' session and we talked with other members in the audience afterwards. I received nice comments from some people on my remarks. It was a little negative as well, with lots of 'we know what this is really about' comments from some speakers. But nothing awful or confrontational.
We were invited again to the next session (these are all open to the public as well) about minority/low income achievement. Some members went again and asked questions of Dr. Holdzkom and spoke with a prominent black leader afterwards. They had a good conversation and left feeling progress had been made. We invited Calla to come to our meetings but she didn't take us up on it.
Other communications with some black leaders have taken place with some members, particularly our 'research team' but I don't have all the detailed info on those.
Several of us had been members of CCCAAC for a while. I know I had been a member for at least 2 years. I joined because I was interested in finding out what the parents really think about the assignments and what they need from the system. There wasn't much conversation at all, mostly just announcements of upcoming programs. Around the time of the elections, things starting moving on the yahoo group. Discussions about different issues and there was a discussion started on suspensions and the high number of AA students suspended. One of our members emailed one of the people who was talking about organizing something to work on the issue. the email said:
Hi xxx,
I have been following the posts on the CCCAAC yahoo group
this week (starting with yours below) and greatly appreciate your candor and
perspective on the problem!
Could you possibly find some time to call me today or this
weekend? I would very much like to talk to you about how our volunteers might
help support these families. My numbers are below.
Thank you for your compassion and willingness to roll up the
sleeves and get the parents involved!
Best regards,
xxxxx
An announcement was made warning that this person was from WakeCARES (wrong org) and she found other members on the group as well. A new, private group was established and this message was sent out:
I am developing a new email list serve that will allow us to have more
privacy because we had some outsiders who are monitoring our emails.
I caution you to limit your comments/emails in an effort to not provide detail information.
If you would like to be apart of this private group
please forward me your email, and you must be recommended by someone who attends our monthly sessions.
Here's the description of the organization on the yahoo group page: We are a parent based organization advocating for students who attend
public schools. Our goal is to empower parents to become effective
advocates for their children while providing them with information on
Wake County Public School System's laws, policies and procedures that
govern our children, and to assist parents in helping their children
make choices that will enhance their children's educational
opportunities.
The CCCAAC believes all children should receive a quality education
that will give them the skills necessary to become productive citizens
in today's society.
Wow. That's why I hate
Sat, 01/09/2010 - 00:19 — ApexterWow.
That's why I hate that a group like this is allowed to say that they speak for a segment of the population. A group that closes itself from dialogue is not going to be part of a solution.
Someone in the WSCA reached
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 21:40 — red_balloonSomeone in the WSCA reached out to a member or lower level official in the CCCAAC? I guess that can upset a weak leader.
I forgot to mention that I
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 23:08 — jenmanI forgot to mention that I left several messages for members of El Pueblo as well. 3 different voice mails for the director. Explained who I was, that I was a member of WSCA. That I wasn't intending to push an agenda on anybody, just wanted to reach out to the latino community to find out opinions and needs. What do their children and famillies need to succeed? Never got a response. I finally called a lower level employee (not one of the VPs or directors but still a person with responsibility) and spoke with this person for a while. Got the impression that the org itself would not be too interested in us--they've got a member working for WCPSS as their latino/hispanic liason or something.
And so,
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 23:37 — SDR256Here we are trying to reach out with no response or worse yet an aggressively negative response - normal every day folks not politicians, reaching out trying to do something outside our comfort zone, trying to do the right thing and so ..... now what? Keep trying? Keep knocking our heads against the wall? Keep - as we did at the convention center at the Friends of Diversity 'forum' - reach out and share information which was greedily snapped up but not reciprocated or even recognized and even worse - thrown back in our faces?
How to start a dialog? HOW?
"How to start a dialog?
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 10:00 — user12345"How to start a dialog? HOW? "
Sponsor a meeting in SE on how to improve the graduation rate of AA. Bring all the good research that has been mentioned on the blog. Present all the alternative programs like KIPP that are possible. Follow up with a workshop to investigate/vet the ideas, problems. Formulate 5-10 steps needed for improvement, create a time table to make it happen, and publish metrics to measure progress ... have the new majority vote on a non-binding resolution to investigate and implement the recommendations ... personally, there is nothing more attractive than someone who wants to help your kids.
If WCSA could bring the same energy and brain power that goes into fighting and researching MYR to improving AA graduation rates the results would be amazing and participation and dialog would follow.
You speak as if that hasn't
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 11:54 — ApexterYou speak as if that hasn't been attempted --- multiple times, by different groups.
You yourself on these blogs have been one of the folks most likely to shriek "You can't speak for these groups! You can't claim to have in mind the best interest of these groups!" That is a strong roadblock in the way to a dialogue.
Dialogue, in order to be dialogue, must run in two directions. When there is no response, or worse, a slap back from those you are trying to communicate with (or, worse, a third party that inserts themselves into the attempted dialogue and attacks those that are trying to dialogue), it is becomes a very difficult task.
When you are investing a great deal of time and effort into volunteer efforts, it helps to believe that there will be a payoff at the end other than having someone call you a racist and a segregationist.
(Discliamer: I am not in the leadership of WCSA and I do not attempt to speak for them.)
Apexter ... what I am saying
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 12:10 — user12345Apexter ... what I am saying is if they are talking to the wrong people (e.g. NAACP) and not getting cooperation maybe they should talk to a different group of people (Black churches, younger leaders) instead of banging their head against the wall harder hoping for results.
Going to black churches is
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 23:58 — jenmanGoing to black churches is something that WSCA has talked about. We also made some good progress with one particular older black leader. We were advised not to push too hard before the election for fear of seeming like we were trying to win their votes and then would dump their concerns after our candidates won.
Its a very tricky rope to balance on. We haven't given up and we're still discussing ways to reach out. Its hard because people don't know what goes on behind the scenes and just assume what they want to. They make us (and others) into what they want us to be.
Well..
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 09:39 — supportwcpssMaybe you need new leadership Jen. Not those that come with baggage. I have been involved for many years and have heard your voice from many avenues and enjoying reading your blog even if I don't agree all the time. If you were in the leadership of WSCA I might lend more creedence over there.
Where as Mr. Ciaulla and Ms. Redpath's past history are a different story. I've listended to their antics on other boards and in the paper. That approach leads to predisposed opinions. And the recent 'upheaval' in WSCA supports the opinion.
Get more people like you leading these groups and I might have more faith in their purpose.
"We were advised not to push
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 08:45 — user12345"We were advised not to push too hard before the election for fear of seeming like we were trying to win their votes and then would dump their concerns after our candidates won. "
Good advice ... just like I always ask folks here is why did you wake up this year concerned about poor Black kids - years resolution ... that would be my first question if I were Black and you came to my church. White people come and go but they will want to know if they have staying power ... so, if the focus is actually on ALL kids WCSA has a reason to be there ... with next stop Hispanics .... My bet is there is some idealistic and energetic Black family working to form a PTA in some >40% F&R school with no support or encouragement from a community that is out of energy and hope... there are some teachers in that school that still think they can make a difference though they have more kids, more paperwork, no computers, no TA and no paper to copy HW assignments ... they could use a PAC, webpage, business support, advocates with the power structure.
...
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 09:00 — SideburnsWhere is that school?
I can not speak for the
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 09:52 — user12345I can not speak for the Black schools in SE that started the discussion but last year my wife had to buy her copy paper because someone stole it, the audio equipment does not always work and the CD's are missing for classes which she buys again herself, and this year she does not have a TA and much of the support staff appears to be part time ... I am guessing affluent schools PTAs would make up for those short comings ... for example, I noticed that Davis Drive turned one of their trailers into a exercise room with weights and treadmills donated by the parents ... I am guessing they have copy paper ... btw, I am guessing things like converted trailer for non-class usage may be part of the missing capacity people are confused about at some schools ...
...
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 11:11 — SideburnsAs a parent, I have been asked to purchase copy paper for many years.
Our school also has a wellness program that was funded through the Wake to Wellness grants program. Students have a weekly health/nutrition special and, I believe, staff have access to workout equipment.
You seemed to change your mind about the missing capacity. Not the fire marshall?
"You seemed to change your
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 14:58 — user12345"You seemed to change your mind about the missing capacity. Not the fire marshall? "
If the numbers were simple, smart people here would have already figured these thing out ... the fact that someone who send their kid to a school can not figure out how many kids can fit in that school over the course of the last year is amazing ... how long has this blog struggle with how many kids will fit in LES ... I say go look at the sign to start ... btw, the fact that the BOE just ordered five more trailers while at least one unused one is being use as fitness center seems unusual. How many other empty trailers are taking up room?
Did anybody ever determine
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 15:34 — jenmanDid anybody ever determine where these 5 new trailers were going? It costs money to move trailers--maybe they thought it was better to leave the one at Davis Drive in case they need it again?
I think that the numbers get screwed up because WCPSS (Chuck D in particular) manipulates data to serve whatever their current purpose is. I've seen it done several times over the years, for several different reasons.
Haves and have nots- rambling
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 10:59 — shank56User,
Having TA's is a site based decision made by the principal and School Improvement Team. Funds are allotted for them in K-2 or K-3 IIRC- may not be the case now. Each school can decide how to use those positions- whether part time or for other purposes.
Your wife did have paper but it was stolen.
Not sure which DD school has an exercise room, but sounds as if this is a bonus extra for staff to use. This school has money to burn that others don;t have.
To me there is a difference between "have and have nots" and "basics vs extras."
A bigger question is to what extent should parents be allowed to contribute to a school beyond the basics given or allotted by state and local government? Isn't that the real issue you raise?
In my kids 38% F&R school, I spent at least $800 out of pocket in kindergarten alone. Fortunate to be able to afford it, but most non F&R parents supplied the teacher with stuff beyond the basics which she could use to enhance her teaching. We sent in and paid for extras such as t-shirts (to be theme decorated), snacks for the entire class to be used daily. Field trips- I personally paid for 9 kids to attend the circus- imagine gettting a note from the grade teacher telling us that if all children weren;t paid for- the entire grade level could not attend.
A high F&R school without supportive parents will miss out on some of these extras. I certainly hope the basics are there. BTW, my school had very weak field trips compared to others. Mostly local. No Old Salem, no Battleship trip. Cousins at Durant El. years ago took overnight AG trip to the coast for team building and Sound to Sea program. We did get the Asheboro zoo and Durham Museum of Science though.
"Your wife did have paper
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 16:03 — user12345"Your wife did have paper but it was stolen." I think it also had something to do with some schools ordered a year's worth of paper and had a place to store it so when the budget crisis happened with the edict not to buy anymore paper some schools who did not have the space and ordered month to month got screwed. 'Not sure which DD school has an exercise room, but sounds as if this is a bonus extra for staff to use. This school has money to burn that others don’t have." I do not begrudge DD since they are promoting fitness and getting donations to do it ... my only complaint would be that they first try to turn in the unused trailer to see if it could be used elsewhere .... if not, and it was going to be empty anyway ... fitness center is as good as any ... ....http://www.carynews.com/news/story/14241.html To me there is a difference between "have and have nots" and "basics vs extras." "A bigger question is to what extent should parents be allowed to contribute to a school beyond the basics given or allotted by state and local government? Isn't that the real issue you raise? " Maybe a little different ... to what extent should parents be allowed to contribute to compensate for the financial deficiencies of WCPSS ... if everyone is getting the same basic education and some parent buy nicer band uniforms so be it ... but if WCPSS allows the system to sink in hopes that some parents will compensate that is unfair to everyone. "Field trips- I personally paid for 9 kids to attend the circus- imagine getting a note from the grade teacher telling us that if all children weren’t paid for- the entire grade level could not attend."
Congratulation ... that should warm your heart...
"I do not begrudge DD since
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 21:26 — Apexter"I
do not begrudge DD since they are promoting fitness and getting
donations to do it ... my only complaint would be that they first try
to turn in the unused trailer to see if it could be used elsewhere"
"Turning in" a trailer is not a decision made by the school. Locating the mobile units is decided by Facilities.
There are a number of mobile units that are being "stored in place" on campuses. Since it costs, I think, about $50K to move a trailer, they rightfully don't move one until they have a place where they know it is needed. They also have some in storage over at the facilities offices.
"There are a number of
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 21:37 — user12345"There are a number of mobile units that are being "stored in place" on campuses"
It is hard to reconcile we are over capacity, but have empty classrooms and trailers that are being stored while buying five new trailers ...I am surprised they don't lose half the kids on the bus each day.
...
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 21:52 — SideburnsNo kidding. It's unreal, isn't it?
So one has to weigh the
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 22:09 — shank56So one has to weigh the cost of moving trailers or moving kids.
shank--Our elem school with
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 12:12 — jenmanshank--Our elem school with similar F&R (its been btw 34-38% the past few years) has 2 amazing field trips. 4th graders go to the outer banks overnight and 5th graders go to DC overnight. Not just AG, but all students are eligible to go. There are fundraisers to help pay and donations are accepted for kids who can't afford to go.
I have heard from a teacher friend that Brentwood Elem 5th graders went to DC. If Brentwood can do that, any school can.
BTW, Durant Elem is 29.5% F&R this year, was 34% last year and 33% the year before. So its not like they're all wealthy there.
I go back to when Durant was
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 14:23 — shank56I go back to when Durant was well under 10% F&R.
Ah, you're old. ;-) On a
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 15:31 — jenmanAh, you're old. ;-) On a side note, Durant still does that Sound and Sea fieldtrip. Or at least they did a year or two ago. Our school does mostly free stuff like Wright Bros museum, the aquarium, stuff like that. I don't know how much S & S costs, but I would imagine more than our school's program. It really is amazing that our school takes the kids to the Outer Banks and then DC--what a great experience. I know some of the kids had never been to the beach before and probably wouldn't ever make it to DC if it weren't for the field trip.
User has better examples of
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 10:18 — JSBinNCUser has better examples of the have and have not stuff I was trying to get to last week. Soap and water were not good examples... ;) <grin>
Haves (and have nots) do impact the educational experience of children. That's all I wanted to get to. And it sort of sounded like Dr. Morrison was implying that WCPSS doesn't have a "have/have not" enviroment already - today. It does. Changes might alter the landscape of the have and have not - but it's not introducing it for the first time.
Actually, that is a very
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 12:50 — ApexterActually, that is a very good point.
I don't doubt that some of the organized groups (NAACP, CCCAP) wll continue to try to insinuate themselves into the conversation and fling accusations, but it is an opportunity to catch the attention of those who are open minded enough to listen and make their own judgements and reject the flappers who try to tell them who to listen to.
Just my opinion
Sat, 01/09/2010 - 10:19 — lferreriIt's just my opinion, but I think a dialogue will happen with some groups when people begin to see concrete evidence that there are going to be changes in the system that benefit the traditionally ignored groups in Wake County. I don't think there is much chance of a dialogue with those who want the system to remain the way it is.
The traditionally-disenfranchised (of which I am a tangential member) have heard for years that the WCPSS is well and fairly run. Yet every day they see that it is not. I remember when we first moved here that the system touted a goal of 95% passing for all Wake County students. It sounded good but little was done to make it work. Pretty soon that goal was deemphasized and eventually it disappeared altogether. People become cynical after a time. It isn't enough to say that there are going to be real changes. People have to see actual alterations to the system. It is likely to be a long term process but, with persistence, it could pay off. A coalition of people who have historically been disenfranchised and those who have been mistreated by the WCPSS could be a very powerful force to create a fairer system with higher achievement for all students.
Several
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 22:44 — SDR256Several WSCA members reached out to several CCCAAC higher level 'officials' over the course of time, and attended meetings where the invitations were not reciprocated. We will continue to try. It has to be both hands reaching though. Instead it has been reach/slap, reach/slap. So, the reaching side gets more tentative every time. NAACP are you listening? Or is it just more fun to fight?
"So, the reaching side gets
Sat, 01/09/2010 - 11:19 — user12345"So, the reaching side gets more tentative every time. NAACP are you listening? Or is it just more fun to fight?"
Why don't you just send your Black steering committee members who live in SE to the Black churches which is the traditional Black community center to work with them directly and by pass the NAACP?
are there Black steering
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 16:35 — carson79are there Black steering committee members? are there any members who live in SE Raleigh? other than Venita Peyton.
If only
Sat, 01/09/2010 - 17:36 — SDR256If only it were that easy.
Hmm...
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 14:00 — supportwcpssWell, I think it needs to start with a cross sectional group of people that didn't come from an organization that was already predisposed to a certain view. I think everyone of them (including WSCA) have their 'proprietary' view. These groups only form for a specific purpose (Wake Cares for a lawsuit, WSCA for the elections, CCCA (?) for black kids, etc.)
We need a 'vendor' neutral educated group of people of varying backgrounds and experiences. I would hope this new committee formed by the Board might help a little but unfortunately it will probably just end up being a political firestorm with Board members picking specific people. I have seen this in the past on parent committees in Wake County from both sides.
What was WSCA's position on
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 12:31 — carson79What was WSCA's position on diversity? I guess I don't understand why anti-resegregation groups would choose to work with a group that has no position on the topic? unless there was a position?
I haven't been to the website in a while bc it never had much information to begin with and hasn't been updated since the election last I checked, which is a little discouraging ...
Do you have any information on what the group is doing to close the racial achievement gap that they so profited from and used to their advantage in the last election?
Have you read Cash Michaels' piece in the Carolinian by the way (the 3-parter) - I can send to you if you are interested - it shows an AA perspective on Wake's successes and failures in educating minorities over the past 10-20 years.