Black Education
by Walter E. Williams
"Hard Times at Douglass High," is an HBO documentary that aired last June. It captured much of the 2004-2005 school year at Baltimore's predominantly black Frederick Douglass High School. The tragedy is that what is seen in the documentary is typical of most predominantly black urban schools.
Douglass' students are four to five years below grade level. Most of its ninth-graders read at the third-, fourth- or fifth-grade levels. In 2006, only 24 percent of its students tested ...
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Posted by: R. Buhrman
Comment: #1
Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:49 AM
the discussion sounds race-related, when, actually, I believe that it is inner-city kids who come from poor families. Wouldn't it be great if some wealthy person would pick some very young inner-city kids, provide them with the best quality teachers, small classrooms, and cleanest facilities, but, you know, they've got to go home sometime, and there is little support from the families these kids belong to. When at home, these kids are witnesses to things that normal people would find appalling...murder, assaults, suicides, and the results of drugs and alcohol. Sociologists have studied this stuff for decades, and as far as I know, nobody has found the first solution. There's got to be a limit to the number of prisons we can build, and we will always have the poor with us, what can we do? How about another economic stimulus check?
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Posted by: Jamie
Comment: #2
Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:44 AM
What a well-written and to the point article! I myself taught in a similar-sounding high school in Philadelphia, and made the extremely difficult decision to leave last year for many of the reasons articulated in that article- the lack of ownership on the parts of students/parents/school district administration, the constant focus on everything but teaching, the apathy. I saw myself running in place, or even being run over at times, and it was simply too discouraging. I don't know what the solution is, but it really is sad that people like myself- certified, full of energy and desire to work hard and help these kids- burn out so quickly. I'd like to go back someday, but honestly am not sure I would be able to handle it.
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Posted by: Eric Jensen
Comment: #3
Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:42 AM
Another great article! How do you turn this around? I believe racial pandering by both political parties are to blame. Low expectations beget low expectations. I believe failing these students would be a start. Everyone is always taught at the lowest common demoninator. Good luck in trying to change this.
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