The Trouble with Black Boys Ch. 10 and Overall Thoughts

NCLB: I think all of us as educators can point out the main issues with this. Unfortunately, "bad" schools get less financial support, fewer highly qualified teachers, fewer supplies, and more students in classrooms. Thus, it's a never-ending cycle that perpetuates failure of schools and students. Additionally, in very few circumstances (if ever?) does a "one-size-fits-all" solution work in educating students, because (surprise) every student is different.

I did think that his point that we have set high standards on students but not high standards on schools was an interesting one. I do think all schools would be better off with access to highly qualified teachers, well-kept facilities, and access to educational materials. However, he says, "Moreover, there is no effort afoot to ensure that schools provide students with an education that meets the new high standards." I am confused by this. Is that not what NCLB is? If you don't do ________, your school won't get __________. Isn't placing high expectations on our students likewise placing high expectations on us? I do agree that we focus entirely too much on standardized testing and tested subjects, for sure! But it is a difficult thing to assess whether millions of students have been adequately prepared or not without giving a test.

I like that he is finally outlining some practical solutions after he has spent nine chapters showing what dire circumstances many of our students our in, including taking measures to address the non-academic needs of students and focusing on the low-performing schools. I also really appreciated his stressing to form relationships with parents and communities of our students, as I truly believe education and the "value" of education starts at home.

However, my biggest issue with this book is that so many of the solutions are BIG-oriented. What I mean by that is that none of the solutions are focused upon what I as a family member, community member, and teacher can do. It is all about holding governments accountable and literally changing the way our nation treats education and poorer Americans. That's a huge "call to action" for a reader to encounter and endure. After reading how awful the state of things are for almost every group but white middle/upper-class students, I would've liked to also read how I can actually impact things within my classroom.

Another thing that I feel has been left out overall is the plight of lower-class white Americans. I teach in a very rural area. I have many students who are white, but they are legitimately very poor and lost within the system. These are kids who teachers are buying food and clothes for and taking them to the doctor when they're sick in the winter and have kids sleeping in a guest room at a teacher's house when the parents or guardians or foster parents don't (or can't) have a bed for them. While they don't get much attention because they are still the color of the majority, they are still in grave danger of not graduating and not having much of a future. I would've liked to see some statistics and projections for these kids, especially in light of the fact that by 2020, they will be part of the minority.

That's all I can think of for now! I will add some comments if I think of them later as I'm processing all of this information!

Have a great week working on your projects, guys! Good luck!