By Eddie Griffin
Monday, October 29, 2007
The needs of our Fort Worth school children are ABSOLUTE, not RELATIVE. Any time our children turn on their Windows 95 based computers and the lights in the schoolhouse go out, we know it is be time for a major overhaul of our infrastructure. It is evident that the FWISD curricula delivery system is so antiquated that our schools are not able to utilize the latest multimedia teaching and learning tools.
Therefore, our first priority must be to get our children as much educational resources as possible- and do it ASAP.
Even with a price tag of $587 million, we recognize there will still be needs unmet. As I noted in my article supporting the November 6 bond package, this is not a panacea for all the deficiencies in our assets of educational resources. The learning gap between different school districts directly correlates with the disparity in resources. The bond package attempts to bridge that ever-widening gap, in a thoughtful, foresighted way- with built-in contingencies for the life of the bond cycle.
Of course, I am disappointed that we will not have students coming out of school, with machine shop technology skills, knowing how to set up machining operations and how to read measuring instruments, and using scientific calculators. Also, someone else has pointed out that there is no budget for upgrading alternative schools to put them on par with regular schools. These are terrible, terrible shortcomings for the critical needs of our students and local job market.
But shortcomings cannot be the basis of rejecting the bond package, when the overriding needs of our children are so high. If we reject the bond package this time around, we will only come back with a much larger bond package proposal next year, or the year after. In the meantime, another year or two is lost for the students. It would be better to take part now and part later. Therefore, I agree with Black Chamber Dee Jennings. Approve this bond package and come back with another one in the near future. In the meantime, we would hope that our local industries make financial investments and commitments to supplement the education of our future workforce in the local FWISD.
We realize that, historically, minority schools receive the short end of the stick, in terms of educational resources and quality teachers. But Superintendent Melody Johnson promised “parity” in distributing resources coming out of the bond package. And, the budget itself is transparent.
The question can only be: If everything is done according to the bond’s proposal, will the ISD achieve “parity”? Maybe not as we hope, but it provides a measuring rod to determine which schools are better equipped. Therefore, we must insist that, at a very minimum, inner city school children get every dollar allocated to them by the state. It is up to the school district to repair the breach created by previous disparities.
Secondly, there is the question of leadership- at the institutional and board level. Now I can criticize leadership from here to Washington, but in the final run we must dance with the one that “brung” us. Always get as much money as possible for the kids first. Then, if leadership is lacking, at least we have the money. We can replace the leadership, if necessary, without ever disturbing the pot.
Pastor Kyev P. Tatum writes: I am dazed and confused by your support of the over half billion dollar school bond.
As I said above, it is not necessary for the bond package to be perfect in order to support it.
Tatum further writes: How can you ask us to boycott and call for a "Sliver War" on November 2Th and then turn around and ask us to vote for the "largest" tax bonds increase in the history of Fort Worth ISD on November 6Th... Double standard and message
This is not a ‘double standard” nor a mixed message, unless there is a misconception between “Silver War” and “Civil War” (spelled with an S). The objective of a civil war by economic boycott relates specifically to issues of injustice carried out by the state against our youth and the hate crimes that have followed. The presupposed tax increase from the bond package is a different issue, altogether.
According to the graphic rendition, actual property tax rate is supposed to go down over the next few years as a result of a previous legislative measure. To compensation for loss revenue from reducing property taxes, the state raised cigarette sales taxes- an unwise tax swap, seeing the number of cigarette smokers are declining. Nevertheless, we were very conscientious of how the state robs Peter to pay Paul- in this case, by inflating property values. If memory serves me correctly, we put a cap on how much property values can be appraised from year to year. Of course, this means we have to stay vigilant.
Again Tatum says: We are tired of not receiving our "fair share" and equal justice for our children... You are asking people to give FWISD more money to "refinance" debt from the last bond which you and I both know was grossly mismanaged.
For sure, we can do nothing about past mismanagement other than send the crooks to jail (which we did). A portion of the new bond package will liquidate the balance of the previous bond, which is the normal course for any new bond package. Does that say we condone the previous schemes and scams? With the old bond package balance from the Toco administration out of the way, Dr. Melody Johnson can start with a clean slate. There would be no vestige of the past affecting her administration’s performance. After all, Dr. Johnson has been stuck with “old baggage” from the day of her arrival.
Low performing and unsafe schools are NOT ABSOLUTES either. They are as RELATIVE as the politics involved in school administration and oversight. Things can and do change. I agree: We need more education for our money rather than more money for our education. But wherever there are largest sums of money being spent, there will be sales people “selling the Brooklyn Bridge”. I believe that we are already paying too much for the new accounting system and that we underestimate the learning curve for assimilating new hardware and software.
But then again, if we were looking for perfection, we would just put God in control and let the system run on its own. Otherwise, we have to made do with partial solutions and imperfect people.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Former Sec. of Ed. Rod Paige to Lecture at Texas Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact person: Rev. Kyev Tatum at 817-829-5455
TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS—Rod Paige, the former Secretary of Education (2001-2005) under President George W. Bush, will speak at Everman High School, Tarrant County College South Campus, and The University of Texas at Arlington on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007. Dr. Paige's lectures are entitled "Help Our People Excel" in which he will encourage local educators, parents and students to continue to pursue excellence in education.
On January 21, 2001, the United States Senate confirmed Dr. Rod Paige as the 7th U.S. Secretary of Education. For Paige, the son of a principal and a school librarian, that day was the crowning achievement of a long career in education. Born in 1933 in segregated Mississippi, Paige's accomplishments speak of his commitment to education. He earned a bachelor's degree from Jackson State University and both a master's and a doctoral degree from Indiana University.
Paige is the first school superintendent ever to serve as Secretary of Education. His experience as a practitioner—from the blackboard to the boardroom—paid off during the long hours of work needed to pass President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The driving force behind his work as Secretary was his belief that education is a civil right, just like the right to vote or to be treated equally.
Paige's visit to the area is part of his Texas Hope Tour, sponsored by the Ministers for Education of America. "We are honored and humbled to host an American Hero in our community," said, the Rev. Kyev Tatum Sr., President of Ministers for Education of America. "Dr. Paige will go down in history as a leader who helped to change the course of history in education for years to come," Rev. Tatum said.
All lectures are free and open to the public. Dr. Paige tour will begin at Joe C. Bean Everman High School at 1000 S. Race Street in Everman, Texas at 9:00 a.m. and at Tarrant County College-South Campus at 5301 South Campus Drive in Fort Worth at 1:00 p.m.
The UTA event will be from 7 to 8 p.m. in the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library, 702 Planetarium Place.
For media opportunities, contact Rev. Kyev Tatum at 817-829-5455.
9:00 A.M.
JOE C. BEAN
EVERMAN HIGH SCHOOL
1000 S. Race Street
Everman, Texas 76140
Mr. Cutis Amos
817-568-3552
1:00 P.M.
TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE-ROTUNDA
5301 S. Campus Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76134
Mr. Zeb Strong
817-515-4206
7:00 P.M.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
AT ARLINGTON LIBRARY
701 Nedderman Drive
Arlington, Texas 76019
Mr. Daniel Woodward
817-272-2101
Media contact person: Rev. Kyev Tatum at 817-829-5455
TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS—Rod Paige, the former Secretary of Education (2001-2005) under President George W. Bush, will speak at Everman High School, Tarrant County College South Campus, and The University of Texas at Arlington on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007. Dr. Paige's lectures are entitled "Help Our People Excel" in which he will encourage local educators, parents and students to continue to pursue excellence in education.
On January 21, 2001, the United States Senate confirmed Dr. Rod Paige as the 7th U.S. Secretary of Education. For Paige, the son of a principal and a school librarian, that day was the crowning achievement of a long career in education. Born in 1933 in segregated Mississippi, Paige's accomplishments speak of his commitment to education. He earned a bachelor's degree from Jackson State University and both a master's and a doctoral degree from Indiana University.
Paige is the first school superintendent ever to serve as Secretary of Education. His experience as a practitioner—from the blackboard to the boardroom—paid off during the long hours of work needed to pass President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The driving force behind his work as Secretary was his belief that education is a civil right, just like the right to vote or to be treated equally.
Paige's visit to the area is part of his Texas Hope Tour, sponsored by the Ministers for Education of America. "We are honored and humbled to host an American Hero in our community," said, the Rev. Kyev Tatum Sr., President of Ministers for Education of America. "Dr. Paige will go down in history as a leader who helped to change the course of history in education for years to come," Rev. Tatum said.
All lectures are free and open to the public. Dr. Paige tour will begin at Joe C. Bean Everman High School at 1000 S. Race Street in Everman, Texas at 9:00 a.m. and at Tarrant County College-South Campus at 5301 South Campus Drive in Fort Worth at 1:00 p.m.
The UTA event will be from 7 to 8 p.m. in the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library, 702 Planetarium Place.
For media opportunities, contact Rev. Kyev Tatum at 817-829-5455.
9:00 A.M.
JOE C. BEAN
EVERMAN HIGH SCHOOL
1000 S. Race Street
Everman, Texas 76140
Mr. Cutis Amos
817-568-3552
1:00 P.M.
TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE-ROTUNDA
5301 S. Campus Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76134
Mr. Zeb Strong
817-515-4206
7:00 P.M.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
AT ARLINGTON LIBRARY
701 Nedderman Drive
Arlington, Texas 76019
Mr. Daniel Woodward
817-272-2101
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Eddie Griffin Supports $587 Million School Bond Package
I will have seen most everything when I see an elephant fly. This is a big baby- Fort Worth Independent School District’s half-billion dollar bond package.
I have a confession to make. Secretly, I confided to some friends that I would oppose the November 6 proposition up for voter approval- not because of the size of the bond, but I was not altogether confident in the school’s leadership to fly this big baby.
Our kids need a massive capital infusion to reinvigorate our public education system. Most of our schools are 50 years old or older, and some 100. While children in Japan and India are racing light years ahead of our children in the competitive global economy, our Fort Worth children are still wrestling with Windows 95. They cannot access new digital curriculum without major upgrading and too much online activities will cause the lights in the school to go off. The technological infrastructure is woefully inadequate.
Yes, we are that far behind in the Fort Worth ISD.
So, it was with great anticipation that School Superintendent Melody A. Johnson brought her school bond presentation to Wednesday’s Minority Leaders and Citizens Council. It was the first time I heard what Dr. Johnson had in her plan.
She wants parity for all schools- that is to say, we wants each school brought up to its full educational potential. This would technological infrastructure, curricula upgrade, capital improvements, and expansion. In order to relieve overcrowding, Dr. Johnson proposes building six new schools, adding 342 new classrooms altogether (including expansions at eight existing schools). She offers improvement of science labs and other upgrades, with built in contingencies for changing technology and future needs over the life of the bond.
What I saw, I like immensely, and most other minority leaders also. But woefully missing from the wish list was the re-capitalization of trade skills programs, particularly in machine and manufacturing technology critically needed for our local aerospace industry. That would take more money. The current bond package was not a big enough elephant.
Nevertheless, I commend Dr. Johnson for doing the best she could for a school district that has fallen so far behind the times. She was wise enough to bring in professionals to assess the needs and pull together a committee of 400 to evaluate the plan. Even so, the Providence, Rhode Island native has yet to get her feet on the ground after only three years in office. She has yet to realize that she is now a Fort Worth Texan. Nevertheless, she is learning who’s who and the “Fort Worth Way” of community collaboration. Her presence at the MLCC weekly luncheon was a big step in reaching out to the minority home base.
Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Brooks spoke for all of us in “unequivocally” endorsing the bond package. But Black Chamber leader Dee Jennings went further in addressing the immediate need for skill sets for our business and manufacturing industries not being fulfilled by the public school system.
“We will support this bond package and look forward to supporting the next bond package to address those needs,” Jennings declared, as he presented Dr. Johnson with a Chamber resolution.
A recent news article appearing in the Dallas Morning News describes new vocational education centers cropping up in Grand Prairie, Frisco, Lewisville, Birdville, and now Dallas. People are looking at career and technology school programs like those offered at Denton’s state-of-the-art LaGrone Advanced Technology Complex, which offers advance technology at the junior and senior high school level, and certification in professional career fields.
Compared to our rich neighbors, our FWISD inner city schools are just now getting started. LaGrone ATC offers its students courses in Advanced Engineering with curriculum that includes, Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, and Engineering design. And, that is just the Advance Engineering Academy.
There is an Advanced Visual Arts & Communications Academy offering exciting courses in Advertising Design, Animation, Media Technology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), NASA Space Technology, and Spatial Technology and Remote Sensing.
LaGrone has an Advanced Computer Technology Academy offering Computer Maintenance Technician training and Cisco Networking. On and on, the school offer Aerospace Manufacturing, Computer Numerical Control (CNC), Programming, Automotive Technology, Welding, Culinary Arts, Accounting internships, Marketing, E-Commerce, Financial Planning, Securities Operations, Banking internships, and a Medical/ Allied Health Academy, Education Career Academy, and Personal Services Academy.
Fort Worth ISD offers little by comparison, with no financial commitment to doing so. The issue is cost. Although it is rumored that LaGrone only cost $30 million, that would be thirty million more than the big elephant can swallow.
So I asked Dr. Johnson had she heard of the Texas Workforce Solution’s $1 million exploratory grant for an Aerospace Space Academy. She had barely heard of the agency, and no one had spoken to her about the academy. No surprise- she is still new. And, at last sight, TWS was looking at Birdville ISD as a potential site for the Aerospace Academy.
How can our Fort Worth children compete in the global economy against China, Japan, and India, if all the resources are going to cities like Grand Prairie, Frisco, Lewisville, Birdville? Sure, we need the $587 million bond package, and then some. We need the Fort Worth-base business community to step up with financial commitments to assist educating our children to meet the future needs of their industries. We need fairness in grant giving, such as the million-dollar grant to explore a Space Academy. And, we need trickle down funding for the myriad of support services that go unrecognized in contributing to our students’ success.
I have a confession to make. Secretly, I confided to some friends that I would oppose the November 6 proposition up for voter approval- not because of the size of the bond, but I was not altogether confident in the school’s leadership to fly this big baby.
Our kids need a massive capital infusion to reinvigorate our public education system. Most of our schools are 50 years old or older, and some 100. While children in Japan and India are racing light years ahead of our children in the competitive global economy, our Fort Worth children are still wrestling with Windows 95. They cannot access new digital curriculum without major upgrading and too much online activities will cause the lights in the school to go off. The technological infrastructure is woefully inadequate.
Yes, we are that far behind in the Fort Worth ISD.
So, it was with great anticipation that School Superintendent Melody A. Johnson brought her school bond presentation to Wednesday’s Minority Leaders and Citizens Council. It was the first time I heard what Dr. Johnson had in her plan.
She wants parity for all schools- that is to say, we wants each school brought up to its full educational potential. This would technological infrastructure, curricula upgrade, capital improvements, and expansion. In order to relieve overcrowding, Dr. Johnson proposes building six new schools, adding 342 new classrooms altogether (including expansions at eight existing schools). She offers improvement of science labs and other upgrades, with built in contingencies for changing technology and future needs over the life of the bond.
What I saw, I like immensely, and most other minority leaders also. But woefully missing from the wish list was the re-capitalization of trade skills programs, particularly in machine and manufacturing technology critically needed for our local aerospace industry. That would take more money. The current bond package was not a big enough elephant.
Nevertheless, I commend Dr. Johnson for doing the best she could for a school district that has fallen so far behind the times. She was wise enough to bring in professionals to assess the needs and pull together a committee of 400 to evaluate the plan. Even so, the Providence, Rhode Island native has yet to get her feet on the ground after only three years in office. She has yet to realize that she is now a Fort Worth Texan. Nevertheless, she is learning who’s who and the “Fort Worth Way” of community collaboration. Her presence at the MLCC weekly luncheon was a big step in reaching out to the minority home base.
Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Brooks spoke for all of us in “unequivocally” endorsing the bond package. But Black Chamber leader Dee Jennings went further in addressing the immediate need for skill sets for our business and manufacturing industries not being fulfilled by the public school system.
“We will support this bond package and look forward to supporting the next bond package to address those needs,” Jennings declared, as he presented Dr. Johnson with a Chamber resolution.
A recent news article appearing in the Dallas Morning News describes new vocational education centers cropping up in Grand Prairie, Frisco, Lewisville, Birdville, and now Dallas. People are looking at career and technology school programs like those offered at Denton’s state-of-the-art LaGrone Advanced Technology Complex, which offers advance technology at the junior and senior high school level, and certification in professional career fields.
Compared to our rich neighbors, our FWISD inner city schools are just now getting started. LaGrone ATC offers its students courses in Advanced Engineering with curriculum that includes, Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, and Engineering design. And, that is just the Advance Engineering Academy.
There is an Advanced Visual Arts & Communications Academy offering exciting courses in Advertising Design, Animation, Media Technology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), NASA Space Technology, and Spatial Technology and Remote Sensing.
LaGrone has an Advanced Computer Technology Academy offering Computer Maintenance Technician training and Cisco Networking. On and on, the school offer Aerospace Manufacturing, Computer Numerical Control (CNC), Programming, Automotive Technology, Welding, Culinary Arts, Accounting internships, Marketing, E-Commerce, Financial Planning, Securities Operations, Banking internships, and a Medical/ Allied Health Academy, Education Career Academy, and Personal Services Academy.
Fort Worth ISD offers little by comparison, with no financial commitment to doing so. The issue is cost. Although it is rumored that LaGrone only cost $30 million, that would be thirty million more than the big elephant can swallow.
So I asked Dr. Johnson had she heard of the Texas Workforce Solution’s $1 million exploratory grant for an Aerospace Space Academy. She had barely heard of the agency, and no one had spoken to her about the academy. No surprise- she is still new. And, at last sight, TWS was looking at Birdville ISD as a potential site for the Aerospace Academy.
How can our Fort Worth children compete in the global economy against China, Japan, and India, if all the resources are going to cities like Grand Prairie, Frisco, Lewisville, Birdville? Sure, we need the $587 million bond package, and then some. We need the Fort Worth-base business community to step up with financial commitments to assist educating our children to meet the future needs of their industries. We need fairness in grant giving, such as the million-dollar grant to explore a Space Academy. And, we need trickle down funding for the myriad of support services that go unrecognized in contributing to our students’ success.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Senator Deuell Announces Start of 2007-2008 High School Aerospace Scholars
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Don T. Forse, Jr.
October 4, 2007
(512) 463-0102
Senator Deuell Announces Start of 2007-2008 High School Aerospace Scholars
( Austin ) - Senator Bob Deuell (R-Greenville) is pleased to announce the launch of this year's High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS). HAS will enable selected Texas students to explore and become a part of NASA's plan for space exploration, which will send humans back to the moon, then on to Mars and beyond. After they employ their math and science skills to complete 10 web-based assignments during the school year, they will travel to Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston during the summer and use those same skills to help investigate options for sending humans to Mars alongside their peers and real NASA scientists and engineers.
Eligible students are required to meet the following criteria
1.) U.S. Citizen
2.) Texas resident
3.) Currently a high school junior
4.) Interest in science, math, or engineering
5.) Able to commit to a relationship with JSC, including a one-week residential experience during the summer
6.) Access to the Internet and e-mail (home, school or public library)
The State of Texas , in partnership with JSC and the Texas educational community, developed High School Aerospace Scholars in 1999 to encourage more students to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Additional partnerships include the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, University of Houston System , and Rotary NASA. More than 1,750 students from across Texas have participated in the program.
High school juniors interested in applying for the 2007-2008 program should visit the web at: http://aerospacescholars.jsc.nasa.gov/
DALLAS LEADERSHIP HAS PROBLEMS:
Read Eddie Griffin opinion column
White Rats and Black Mice
Contact: Don T. Forse, Jr.
October 4, 2007
(512) 463-0102
Senator Deuell Announces Start of 2007-2008 High School Aerospace Scholars
( Austin ) - Senator Bob Deuell (R-Greenville) is pleased to announce the launch of this year's High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS). HAS will enable selected Texas students to explore and become a part of NASA's plan for space exploration, which will send humans back to the moon, then on to Mars and beyond. After they employ their math and science skills to complete 10 web-based assignments during the school year, they will travel to Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston during the summer and use those same skills to help investigate options for sending humans to Mars alongside their peers and real NASA scientists and engineers.
Eligible students are required to meet the following criteria
1.) U.S. Citizen
2.) Texas resident
3.) Currently a high school junior
4.) Interest in science, math, or engineering
5.) Able to commit to a relationship with JSC, including a one-week residential experience during the summer
6.) Access to the Internet and e-mail (home, school or public library)
The State of Texas , in partnership with JSC and the Texas educational community, developed High School Aerospace Scholars in 1999 to encourage more students to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Additional partnerships include the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, University of Houston System , and Rotary NASA. More than 1,750 students from across Texas have participated in the program.
High school juniors interested in applying for the 2007-2008 program should visit the web at: http://aerospacescholars.jsc.nasa.gov/
DALLAS LEADERSHIP HAS PROBLEMS:
Read Eddie Griffin opinion column
White Rats and Black Mice
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Grandpa Day at School could be Freaky Experience
Tomorrow is a very important day for me. It’s Grandparent Day in the Crowley ISD.
Yep! Grandpa is on the hook.
I will be with my first grade granddaughter, Dee Dee, during the first lunch period, and with my second grade grandson, Little Ed, during the second lunch break. As you can see, this is a first for me.
How in the world did Eddie Griffin survive long enough to become a grandpa? A bank robbing Black Panther, kidnapper who cheated death in the electric chair, who cheated death in prison in hand-to-hand combat, only to survive another day?
I think I’m going to cry on Grandparent Day, and none of the teachers will know why. I only hope the kids will understand.
You see, my grandkids are by mix marriage, but they look more white than black. Lately, Dee Dee has been letting all the Negro come out of her. So, Grandparent Day will be the day that grandpa meets little Dee Dee’s teacher.
I have already instructed Dee Dee to apologize to the teacher. But she has a terrible speech impediment. Even I can barely comprehend her and she is six years old. All four grandkids have the same speech problem and all are supposed to be in speech therapy… the damages caused by boom box parents that love blast their babies’ ears with loud vibrating music… damaged eardrums… damaged babies… frustrated babies… imagine “crack babies” coming of age.
The Crowley ISD was once a predominantly white school district. More and more, it’s becoming interracial.
When my son went to school here in 1990s, I was one of the few black parents in the PTA. With more integration came “white flight”, depreciating property value, and lower income residents and renters.
My daughter-in-law is a white welfare mom, struggling to raise three children, after divorcing my son while he was in prison… tough life… tough consequences. But grandpa is grandpa, and grandpa doesn’t play the race card, hate card, or political card. Grandpa loves his babies. Damn the mama and the daddy for their sins.
Okay, Grandpa is nervous about his first day of grandparent school. Some kids are going to freak when they find out my grandchildren are not white. The teacher is going to freak when my grandson boast about my being a Black Panther bank robber and kidnapper, who took a police squad car. Damn! I think grandpa might panic. Y’all pray for grandpa.
Yep! Grandpa is on the hook.
I will be with my first grade granddaughter, Dee Dee, during the first lunch period, and with my second grade grandson, Little Ed, during the second lunch break. As you can see, this is a first for me.
How in the world did Eddie Griffin survive long enough to become a grandpa? A bank robbing Black Panther, kidnapper who cheated death in the electric chair, who cheated death in prison in hand-to-hand combat, only to survive another day?
I think I’m going to cry on Grandparent Day, and none of the teachers will know why. I only hope the kids will understand.
You see, my grandkids are by mix marriage, but they look more white than black. Lately, Dee Dee has been letting all the Negro come out of her. So, Grandparent Day will be the day that grandpa meets little Dee Dee’s teacher.
I have already instructed Dee Dee to apologize to the teacher. But she has a terrible speech impediment. Even I can barely comprehend her and she is six years old. All four grandkids have the same speech problem and all are supposed to be in speech therapy… the damages caused by boom box parents that love blast their babies’ ears with loud vibrating music… damaged eardrums… damaged babies… frustrated babies… imagine “crack babies” coming of age.
The Crowley ISD was once a predominantly white school district. More and more, it’s becoming interracial.
When my son went to school here in 1990s, I was one of the few black parents in the PTA. With more integration came “white flight”, depreciating property value, and lower income residents and renters.
My daughter-in-law is a white welfare mom, struggling to raise three children, after divorcing my son while he was in prison… tough life… tough consequences. But grandpa is grandpa, and grandpa doesn’t play the race card, hate card, or political card. Grandpa loves his babies. Damn the mama and the daddy for their sins.
Okay, Grandpa is nervous about his first day of grandparent school. Some kids are going to freak when they find out my grandchildren are not white. The teacher is going to freak when my grandson boast about my being a Black Panther bank robber and kidnapper, who took a police squad car. Damn! I think grandpa might panic. Y’all pray for grandpa.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
PROJECT PREVAIL
Comprehensive School Completion Plan
Project Prevail is a comprehensive effort to increase the number of students graduating from high schools fully prepared for post-secondary education or gainful employment. We will use what works and we will call upon students, parents and the larger community to support this initiative.
It is time to engage the larger community. The actions outlined here are a starting point, for discussion, for development, and for implementation. High school graduation for all of our students is much more than a worthy goal. The individual, community and societal consequences of an interrupted education are both tragic and costly. Working together, we will prevail.
A "CAN DO" APPROACH TO HIGH SCHOOL RENTENTION & GRADUATION
What Businesses Can Do
Develop and support business practices that encourage school success and completion.
Make school enrollment a condition of employment for school age workers.
Provide employee (student) incentives for school performance and attendance.
Limit employee (student) work schedules to 10 p.m. on school nights.
Monitor school attendance and performance by requesting report cards, progress notes, etc.
Allow hourly employees (non-student) to participate in the education of their children by allowing them to attend school/teacher conferences without penalty.
Participate in outreach efforts such as neighborhood walks and phone banks/telethons to recover dropouts.
Establish, solicit for and award college scholarships for students.
Establish college trust funds at local banks and match student/parent contributions.
Establish internships leading to certifications/licensure and other school-to-work opportunities.
What Parents Can Do
Insist that your child is in school all day, every day, on time – and with homework and materials in hand.
Monitor homework and grades.
Read and respond to progress reports, failure notices and report cards.
Ensure your child attends middle and high school (6th/9th grades) summer transition camps.
Insist on a rigorous schedule or classes.
Communicate with teachers and administrators.
Visit schools.
Volunteer.
Insist on the recommended graduation plan.
Review child’s individual Learning Plan every year of school.
Participate in parent training and education classes offered at school.
Be an active member of the PTA or other parent/school groups.
Refuse to allow your child to drop out.
What Students Can Do
Attend school every day, arrive on time and have homework and materials in hand.
Actively participate in class and ask questions.
Develop short and long-term goals as part of your high school individualized Learning Plan and discuss them with your parents.
Take rigorous courses to prepare for post-secondary education.
Be responsible for your own learning through (1)Monitoring your own test results; (2) Attending tutorials; (3) Joining a study group; (4) Asking for help when needed; (5)Participate in extra-curricular activities; (6) Study/read every day, whether there are homework assignments or not; (7) Find at least one adult, other than a parent, who will support your success in school; (8) Say “no” to drug, alcohol & tobacco use; (9) Stay healthy through proper eating and exercise.
What Higher Education Can Do
Waive tuition & fees for high school students taking dual credit courses.
Increase number of needs-based scholarships and work-study opportunities.
Provide middle & high school students: (1) College student mentoring programs; (2) Life-skills/college readiness retreats; (3) Leadership development training; (4) Collaborate with the FWISD in the development of an early college high school; (5) Develop strategies to engage parents; (6) Sponsor campus “VIP” tours to acquaint parents with college options and opportunities; (7) Provide representation at campus-level career fairs, career days and college nights; (8) Give priority to FWISD for student-teacher and intern placements to better equip future teachers for the challenges and benefits of teaching in the urban environment.
What Schools Can Do
Establish District-wide focus and organization for school completion initiatives.
Redirect human and financial resources to support the initiatives.
Establish protocols for early identification, support for and tracking of “at risks”.
Expand prevention and intervention counseling and support services at all levels.
Expand initiative that support students’ pursuit of post-secondary education: AVID, AccuPlacer testing, financial support for SAT preparation, PSAT administration and others.
Design and implement peer study groups.
Enhance truancy enforcement at all levels.
Provide summer transition programs (5th – 6th and 8th – 9th grades).
Expand dropout recovery opportunities at the district and campus level (i.e. Success HS, AdvancedPath, and District charter school).
Implement alternative learning opportunities with flexible schedules and expanded hours.
Actively engage all stakeholder groups: parents, students and families, businesses, social service agencies, higher education and faith-based organizations.
Clearly communicate organization vision, mission and goals.
Evaluate programs and services for outcomes and impact.
Conduct annual transcript audits to monitor students for on-time graduation.
Insist on annual Parent/Student/School review of the high school individual Learning Plan.
What the Faith Community Can Do
Assist in locating and registering all students within parish or attendance boundaries.
Support school-aged students and parents in school success, character development and church attendance.
Provide homework help/tutorials at the place of worship.
Host school events and community forums and key dates to include open house, report card dates, test dates, etc.
Announce school events and key dates to include open house, report card dates, testing dates, etc.
Celebrate academic and school accomplishments at church events and in newsletters.
Develop community-service and work opportunities that provide financial support for college.
Establish scholarship fund for aspiring youth members.
Assist with school clothing and supplies.
Set annual and long-term goals for increasing youth attendance at worship service
What Social Services Can Do
Expand campus-level and Family Resource Center collaborations and services.
Expand medical/health services through the Family Resource Centers and campus-based clinics.
Include information about educational requirements and opportunities during service delivery.
Sponsor back-to-school events that include provision of school clothing and supplies.
Collaborate with school to make educational outcomes a part of the agency’s service plan.
Consider on-site tutorial and homework support.
Thanks to the Fort Worth Independent School District
The District has reviewed the literature and best practices, conducted an audit of existing programs and services, and prepared a report and recommendations for action. Already, human and financial resources are being identified and redirected to accomplish this goal.
Project Prevail is a comprehensive effort to increase the number of students graduating from high schools fully prepared for post-secondary education or gainful employment. We will use what works and we will call upon students, parents and the larger community to support this initiative.
It is time to engage the larger community. The actions outlined here are a starting point, for discussion, for development, and for implementation. High school graduation for all of our students is much more than a worthy goal. The individual, community and societal consequences of an interrupted education are both tragic and costly. Working together, we will prevail.
A "CAN DO" APPROACH TO HIGH SCHOOL RENTENTION & GRADUATION
What Businesses Can Do
Develop and support business practices that encourage school success and completion.
Make school enrollment a condition of employment for school age workers.
Provide employee (student) incentives for school performance and attendance.
Limit employee (student) work schedules to 10 p.m. on school nights.
Monitor school attendance and performance by requesting report cards, progress notes, etc.
Allow hourly employees (non-student) to participate in the education of their children by allowing them to attend school/teacher conferences without penalty.
Participate in outreach efforts such as neighborhood walks and phone banks/telethons to recover dropouts.
Establish, solicit for and award college scholarships for students.
Establish college trust funds at local banks and match student/parent contributions.
Establish internships leading to certifications/licensure and other school-to-work opportunities.
What Parents Can Do
Insist that your child is in school all day, every day, on time – and with homework and materials in hand.
Monitor homework and grades.
Read and respond to progress reports, failure notices and report cards.
Ensure your child attends middle and high school (6th/9th grades) summer transition camps.
Insist on a rigorous schedule or classes.
Communicate with teachers and administrators.
Visit schools.
Volunteer.
Insist on the recommended graduation plan.
Review child’s individual Learning Plan every year of school.
Participate in parent training and education classes offered at school.
Be an active member of the PTA or other parent/school groups.
Refuse to allow your child to drop out.
What Students Can Do
Attend school every day, arrive on time and have homework and materials in hand.
Actively participate in class and ask questions.
Develop short and long-term goals as part of your high school individualized Learning Plan and discuss them with your parents.
Take rigorous courses to prepare for post-secondary education.
Be responsible for your own learning through (1)Monitoring your own test results; (2) Attending tutorials; (3) Joining a study group; (4) Asking for help when needed; (5)Participate in extra-curricular activities; (6) Study/read every day, whether there are homework assignments or not; (7) Find at least one adult, other than a parent, who will support your success in school; (8) Say “no” to drug, alcohol & tobacco use; (9) Stay healthy through proper eating and exercise.
What Higher Education Can Do
Waive tuition & fees for high school students taking dual credit courses.
Increase number of needs-based scholarships and work-study opportunities.
Provide middle & high school students: (1) College student mentoring programs; (2) Life-skills/college readiness retreats; (3) Leadership development training; (4) Collaborate with the FWISD in the development of an early college high school; (5) Develop strategies to engage parents; (6) Sponsor campus “VIP” tours to acquaint parents with college options and opportunities; (7) Provide representation at campus-level career fairs, career days and college nights; (8) Give priority to FWISD for student-teacher and intern placements to better equip future teachers for the challenges and benefits of teaching in the urban environment.
What Schools Can Do
Establish District-wide focus and organization for school completion initiatives.
Redirect human and financial resources to support the initiatives.
Establish protocols for early identification, support for and tracking of “at risks”.
Expand prevention and intervention counseling and support services at all levels.
Expand initiative that support students’ pursuit of post-secondary education: AVID, AccuPlacer testing, financial support for SAT preparation, PSAT administration and others.
Design and implement peer study groups.
Enhance truancy enforcement at all levels.
Provide summer transition programs (5th – 6th and 8th – 9th grades).
Expand dropout recovery opportunities at the district and campus level (i.e. Success HS, AdvancedPath, and District charter school).
Implement alternative learning opportunities with flexible schedules and expanded hours.
Actively engage all stakeholder groups: parents, students and families, businesses, social service agencies, higher education and faith-based organizations.
Clearly communicate organization vision, mission and goals.
Evaluate programs and services for outcomes and impact.
Conduct annual transcript audits to monitor students for on-time graduation.
Insist on annual Parent/Student/School review of the high school individual Learning Plan.
What the Faith Community Can Do
Assist in locating and registering all students within parish or attendance boundaries.
Support school-aged students and parents in school success, character development and church attendance.
Provide homework help/tutorials at the place of worship.
Host school events and community forums and key dates to include open house, report card dates, test dates, etc.
Announce school events and key dates to include open house, report card dates, testing dates, etc.
Celebrate academic and school accomplishments at church events and in newsletters.
Develop community-service and work opportunities that provide financial support for college.
Establish scholarship fund for aspiring youth members.
Assist with school clothing and supplies.
Set annual and long-term goals for increasing youth attendance at worship service
What Social Services Can Do
Expand campus-level and Family Resource Center collaborations and services.
Expand medical/health services through the Family Resource Centers and campus-based clinics.
Include information about educational requirements and opportunities during service delivery.
Sponsor back-to-school events that include provision of school clothing and supplies.
Collaborate with school to make educational outcomes a part of the agency’s service plan.
Consider on-site tutorial and homework support.
Thanks to the Fort Worth Independent School District
The District has reviewed the literature and best practices, conducted an audit of existing programs and services, and prepared a report and recommendations for action. Already, human and financial resources are being identified and redirected to accomplish this goal.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Mind over Matter to the Outer Limits
Don’t go there, because I don’t even want to hear it. You cannot offer me a better standard less than perfection. If being the best that I can be means what I think it means, then it agrees with the Bible. Be ye perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Who would argue against Perfection being the highest standard to which to aspire? Bring on the standard bearers of low expectation, and I will fight them head on. Indeed, I welcome the challenge, rather than lose their friendship.
But no one is perfect, and no one can be perfect, they say. And, who are you to judge, seeing that you yourself is not perfect.
I know, I know. But it is kind of like what Paul said: “I press towards the mark”.
It’s all about pressing to be the best that you can be.
MIND OVER MATTER
On the television set of my mind, our society looks like Cartoon World. I cannot turn it off, even if I wished. When I came out of a prison death chamber, being given a reprieve to see the light of a new day on the outside, the world has looked different to me, ever since- kind of two-dimensional like a cartoon.
I had experienced the world in a different way during my incarceration. You see, in prison, I saw the human will do some amazing things. I saw a man fake his own death by willing his heart to stop beating. The doctor declared him dead, rolled him into the morgue in El Reno, Oklahoma, where he later escaped.
On another occasion, I saw a man’s stomach cut open “like a can of beans” (so said the victim). I saw him fold the separated layers together and walk to the prison infirmary without dropping a single drop of blood on the gym floor.
To will is to do. It’s all a matter of mind over matter, setting your sights beyond the physical realms in life. Similarly, goal-setting is a matter of looking up, not down- looking beyond mediocrity.
No man knows what goes on inside the minds of men. Some people hear voices. I hear singing. Some people’s thinking runs the full gambit, through a complex maze of meandering, through layers of logical assumptions and still come out babbling idiots. My words of wisdom can only increase the current level of idiocy. That is why I try not to lean on my own understanding.
Even so, whatever a man thinks in his heart, so be he. And, if he thinks he is living in Disneyland, so be it.
“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?" The Shadow knows!
The old 1940s radio and 1950s television show made me afraid to sleep at night when I was a child. (Think no evil. The Shadow knows what you think. What a strange way of saying that God knows the hearts of men?) What a strange way of saying that God knows the hearts of men?)
But when I was a child, my thinking was that of a child. My understanding was that of a child. And, just because I could use adult language, my profane words were the words of a child. (Something teachers often forget)
The human mind is a delicate thing. Although we are all part of the same species, some people are still living in caves- carved out as a refuge in their minds. This is why Mr. and Mrs. America looks like the Flintstones and the Simpsons.
Ultimately, Cartoon World will come in conflict with Reality TV. You need not adjust your sets, Reality TV comes live from the Outer Limits.
Who would argue against Perfection being the highest standard to which to aspire? Bring on the standard bearers of low expectation, and I will fight them head on. Indeed, I welcome the challenge, rather than lose their friendship.
But no one is perfect, and no one can be perfect, they say. And, who are you to judge, seeing that you yourself is not perfect.
I know, I know. But it is kind of like what Paul said: “I press towards the mark”.
It’s all about pressing to be the best that you can be.
MIND OVER MATTER
On the television set of my mind, our society looks like Cartoon World. I cannot turn it off, even if I wished. When I came out of a prison death chamber, being given a reprieve to see the light of a new day on the outside, the world has looked different to me, ever since- kind of two-dimensional like a cartoon.
I had experienced the world in a different way during my incarceration. You see, in prison, I saw the human will do some amazing things. I saw a man fake his own death by willing his heart to stop beating. The doctor declared him dead, rolled him into the morgue in El Reno, Oklahoma, where he later escaped.
On another occasion, I saw a man’s stomach cut open “like a can of beans” (so said the victim). I saw him fold the separated layers together and walk to the prison infirmary without dropping a single drop of blood on the gym floor.
To will is to do. It’s all a matter of mind over matter, setting your sights beyond the physical realms in life. Similarly, goal-setting is a matter of looking up, not down- looking beyond mediocrity.
No man knows what goes on inside the minds of men. Some people hear voices. I hear singing. Some people’s thinking runs the full gambit, through a complex maze of meandering, through layers of logical assumptions and still come out babbling idiots. My words of wisdom can only increase the current level of idiocy. That is why I try not to lean on my own understanding.
Even so, whatever a man thinks in his heart, so be he. And, if he thinks he is living in Disneyland, so be it.
“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?" The Shadow knows!
The old 1940s radio and 1950s television show made me afraid to sleep at night when I was a child. (Think no evil. The Shadow knows what you think. What a strange way of saying that God knows the hearts of men?) What a strange way of saying that God knows the hearts of men?)
But when I was a child, my thinking was that of a child. My understanding was that of a child. And, just because I could use adult language, my profane words were the words of a child. (Something teachers often forget)
The human mind is a delicate thing. Although we are all part of the same species, some people are still living in caves- carved out as a refuge in their minds. This is why Mr. and Mrs. America looks like the Flintstones and the Simpsons.
Ultimately, Cartoon World will come in conflict with Reality TV. You need not adjust your sets, Reality TV comes live from the Outer Limits.
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