In last week’s paper, Julia Masters wrote about the stark racial achievement gap in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, which by other measures is considered the best school district in North Carolina.
Commenter George P says the problem starts at home: “I know how difficult it can be keeping kids focused and on track as a parent. That is, as I’ve experienced it, the most important element in ensuring academic success. Much of the achievement at school is a result of focus at home. If some kids aren’t measuring up, regardless of race or color, I would look at that dimension. Maybe the answer is as simple as a little after-school help and not all of this racialist mumbo-jumbo—none of which sounds convincing.”
“Yours is an incredibly stupid comment,” counters John H. “It’s not ‘some’ kids. It’s a pattern of black students not doing as well in our system as white students. Pop quiz: If you live in a racist society and make less money than your white peers, but you live in an affluent area and have to work two jobs, do you have a) more time or b) less time to spend with your children?
“If some parents don’t have time to spend with their children, could there be a systemic reason—like a history of racism in America? Or, as you clearly imply, are black parents just worse at parenting? Because that’s what you just said.”
“Leaving education to the ‘home life’ perpetuates institutional racism and achievement gaps,” adds Eleanor M. “Socioeconomic factors decide whether that student is able to access additional out-of-school help. The idea is that by being aware of these biases, we can restructure certain systems within school that are barriers for students.
“Whether or not you are ‘convinced,’ the data indisputably points to racism within these schools.”
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