an educated view of education

This is a little different blog for me. This is a response to my niece's fb post of an education advocate explaining the cause and solution to the performance deficiency of Black students. The researcher presented facts showing the gap between black and white student scores was reduced by desegregation practices during the 70's and 80's, but has reversed in the past 20 years as segregation increased from "white flight" to the suburbs.

As she and I have bantered around social and political ideas, I have expressed my greatest concern is the "stinky narratives" that have emerged in public discourse, more than the specific people and party styles and ideologies.



My niece has 2 infant boys and, like her view of mommy hood, she loves her boys but the stinky diapers are quite distasteful.

I kicked back to her that this presentation on education fell into the category of "stinky narrative." I have quite a heart for education's role in making society healthier in many ways. I also recognize the issue with education gaps among various ethnic and socioeconomic groups. BUT, I find the discussions of "solutions" stem from asking the wrong questions. When i explained to my niece that the gap between races is not the right issue but raising the overall education of our youth, which includes raising the level for Black students. She responded with a willingness to see the overall decline as long as the gap closed. This is precisely an example of a "stinky narrative" because we do not have to settle for massaging symptoms that do not address the right problems.

Here is a point by point outline of what I consider a "clean diaper narrative":

1.   When we say race is the the cause of the education gap, we are by definition being racist. If we view the conditions that constrain the education of society, race should not be a factor because we have seen that there is nothing inherent in race that constrains learning.

2.   The problem with disparate and ineffective education in society stems from institutional, educational elites who protect their self interest by perpetuating the status quo. This is quite typical of many areas in society that need transforming. While employee Unions can and have played helpful roles at times, this is one area where they are a stumbling block to reform.

3.   These problems with education require missional oriented organizations that are innovative and competent in motivating students and engaging parents. This is not the government's strength, so privatizing education with market based practices and professionals will drastically enhance outcomes with equal or less resources.

4.  Partnerships with local businesses can encourage students with greater hope for their future careers as well as provide guidance and resources the education process can use.

These are not new ideas. They have been tested and proven in small and isolated areas. What is needed now is for these ideas to frame our dialogue, not racist focused symptoms that miss the mark of greater education for all.