{"id":461,"date":"2016-03-20T21:25:23","date_gmt":"2016-03-20T21:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/how2manageaclassroom.com\/?p=461"},"modified":"2017-11-04T00:44:01","modified_gmt":"2017-11-04T00:44:01","slug":"african-american-education-improving-current-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/poweredutoday.com\/african-american-education-improving-current-state\/","title":{"rendered":"African American Education: Fixing the Current State"},"content":{"rendered":"

African Amercan Education-The progress of Black Education in America does not look good. There is still a significant achievement gap between black students and their Caucasian counterparts.\u00a0 Despite the millions of dollars dedicated such programs as \u201cNo Child Left Behind\u201d, the state of African American Education is largely in the same predicament as they were in previous years.<\/p>\n

According to Roland G. Fryer at Education Next, \u201cOn average, black students typically score one standard deviation below white students on standardized tests\u2013roughly the difference in performance between the average 4th grader and the average 8th grader.\u201d<\/p>\n

This Achievement gap remains highly discouraging.<\/p>\n

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According to \u00a0Valerie Strauss of the \u00a0Washington Post, \u201cThe persistent gap in the District reflects on the questionable nature of some of the reforms that have been implemented in the city and elsewhere around the country \u2014 which too often ignore the outside-of-school influences that affect how well a student does in class.\u201d<\/p>\n

Non-academic influence plays a significant part in a child\u2019s motivation to succeed in school.<\/p>\n

No doubt, there has been some educational progress made on various local levels across the United States. But the overall initiative to elevate African American students to the level of academic competence needed to be successful in life has been elusive.<\/p>\n

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So the question is why African Americans students are still behind and why the achievement gap is so difficult to close. I believe there are several reasons.<\/p>\n

Lack of Understanding of Life Skills<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

One reason African American student trail other students in academic achievement<\/a> is the misconception of how life works. \u00a0Millions of black students are not aware that hard work and perseverance is a necessity in life if success is to be achieved. These principles are largely ignored on the domestic front. Many African American homes are in turmoil day in and day out.<\/p>\n

Poverty, drugs, crime and disregard for meaningful progress a\"\"<\/a>re the pitfalls of the black community in America.\u00a0 A mentality of living for today characterizes daily existence. The preference for pleasure over hard work and purpose is the dominant mentality, especially in many oppressed African American communities.<\/p>\n

The parents are not largely to blame for this overwhelming preference for pleasure.\u00a0 African American culture, especially in the music sphere, has had a massive influence on the young black Americans. The entrance of gangster rap music in the black community played a significant role in hijacking the minds of young black men.<\/p>\n

The negative messages sent into the black community created a poisonous perception of life, a life in which women are degraded, and bitterness against others is glorified. \u00a0Others may disagree, but I believe this conclusion with immense conviction.<\/p>\n

Before the introduction of gangster rap, a sense of brother and sister hood existed in the black community.\u00a0 Strong brotherhood, respect for women, teachers, and the community were powerful attributes of black culture.<\/p>\n

Lack of Life Altering Discussions <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The most important person in a child\u2019s life remains his or her parents. Whatever words parents say or don\u2019t say will lead and guide their children throughout life. \u00a0A parent\u2019s failure to have life altering discussions with their children is like allowing a toddler to walk toward an open well where snakes and crocodiles dwell in massive numbers.<\/p>\n

If you examine the lives of the most successful people in life, you will discover that they attribute their success to an encouraging message their parents told them at a younger age. This parental obligation is the key. Parents must instill a success mentality within their child at an age (infant to 10 years) in which the child is still receptive.<\/p>\n

But what should a parent tell her child? The most important words I think a child should hear from the lips of a parent is that they are\u201d unique, loved, and made for excellence in all which he or she does.\u201d \u00a0A child should hear these words over and over again over the course of many years.<\/p>\n

The sole responsibility of African American<\/a> parents is to teach their children the value of success and progress in life.<\/p>\n

Not only should a parent teach their children success, but they should also do all in their power to talk and walk success as well. Small children are imitative. For the most part, children do what they see their parents or other adults do.<\/p>\n

Lack of Teachers of Color<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it. Studies show that African American Students, as well as Hispanics, Asian and Native Americans, can often relate more effectively with teachers that represent their ethnicity. Not to say the Caucasian teachers are not effective. This myth is furthest from the truth.\u00a0 Some of my best teachers were Caucasian. I related well to them. But I also delighted in sitting in a classroom where black teachers were in charge.<\/p>\n

Studies show that black children often rebel because they are cast into an environment in which they cannot relate. They find it difficult relating to Caucasian teachers. \u00a0Many come from op\"stock<\/a>pressive homes and environments which are hostile toward Caucasian people in general.<\/p>\n

Some students are going to be rebellious regardless of whether the teacher is black or white, but I have discovered in many instances were black children acted totally different when in the presence of a black instructor.<\/p>\n

Warnings and Recommendations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In examining the reasons for failure in African American education community, the next step is to discover ways to resolve the issue. The plight of African American Education cannot be ignored.\u00a0 For society to pretend as if nothing is happening is a gross betrayal.<\/p>\n

Initiatives which include all facets of society must be implemented to close the achievement gap between black and white students.<\/p>\n

Districts must discover new and better ways to enhance African American Education:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n