Young. Black. Poor. From Oakland. If someone heard that description, they probably wouldn’t picture someone well-spoken and educated. But I want to change the way the world looks at people like me.
When I was born, according to the U.S. Census, I had a 30 percent chance of being born into poverty because my parents were African-American. And I was poor.
Having no money introduced me to a life of humility. I was constantly borrowing from others and asking for favors. Hunger was no stranger to me, either.
An eager kindergarten student raises his hand to ask teacher Xavier Buster a question. Most of the teachers are black men. Photo: Mike Kepka, The Chronicle / SF Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/education/article/Oakland-school-aims-to-help-black-boys-3840007.php#ixzz266etlo5R
San Francisco Chronicle
September 4, 2012
Written by Jill Tucker
In the first hour of the first day of school Tuesday, the sixth-grade Oakland boy was sure he was in trouble for goofing off.
His teacher, Peter Wilson, had stopped his lesson in mid-sentence and turned his attention to the African American preteen, who now wore an uh-oh expression as he braced for a rebuke.
“Did you eat breakfast this morning?” Wilson asked quietly as the confused boy shook his head no. “Your actions are telling me you’re hungry.”
The teacher, also African American, then promised to bring fruit and granola bars the next day and returned to teaching. The boy’s behavior immediately improved.
That might not have been the result at other Oakland middle schools, where a third of black males were suspended at least once last year.
But at the 100 Black Men Community School, a new all-male public charter school, educators and organizers say they refuse to accept those odds – or any of the other statistics associated with black boys that include higher dropout rates, lower test scores and disproportionate placement in special education programs.
The school, started and financially supported by the Bay Area chapter of the 100 Black Men nonprofit organization, is open to all male students, but it was created specifically for issues facing black boys – including difficult family lives, street culture, community violence and lack of male role models outside professional sports and the music industry.
“We know our children can perform as well as any other children,” said Dr. Mark Alexander, an epidemiologist and chairman of the board for the local 100 Black Men. “We’re going to create a culture that hopefully will be stronger than the streets.”
Nadia Macias, center, volunteer attorney at Centro Legal de la Raza in Oakland, answers questions to young immigrants during a community forum on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals at Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. Undocumented immigrants who are applying and qualify under Pres. Barack Obama's executive order will benefit with temporary work permits and protection from deportation. About 1000 people showed up for the session hosted by Oakland Community Organizations. (Ray Chavez/Staff) ( RAY CHAVEZ )
Oakland Tribune
September 4, 2012
Written By Matt O’Brien and Theresa Harrington
As the fall semester begins, thousands of Bay Area high school students now have another reason to graduate, and thousands of young adults have a reason to return to school.
Proof of being in school or having graduated from high school could be a shield against deportation and the key to jobs for an estimated 1.76 million young, illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children if they qualify for the federal “deferred action for childhood arrivals” program announced in June.
Educators hope the lure of protection against deportation and renewable work permits will kindle the academic aspirations of young immigrants.
That hope seems a reality in East Contra Costa County, where one educator said she saw a spike in July enrollments for GED and English as a Second Language programs.
“It’s just constant all day and evening,” said Debbie Norgaard, an adult education coordinator for the Liberty school district.
“There’s just a steady flow of new students wanting either ESL or GED classes. It’s just real unusual. I’m sure it’s because of this new (deferred action) program. We have had a couple of students who have requested verification letters from our GED teacher.”
A state bill overhauling teacher evaluations, which was set to be voted on by the Legislature today, has been withdrawn. AB-5 would have made test scores optional in assessing teachers. We’ll discuss the controversy the bill has stirred up in Sacramento, and the broader issue of teacher evaluations.
Eric Heins, vice president of the California Teacher’s Association
Gary Ravani, vice president of the California Federation of Teachers, president of the Early Childhood/K-12 Council for the California Federation of Teachers and a classroom teacher for 35 years
Jill Tucker, education writer for The San Francisco Chronicle
Jill Wynns, president of the California School Boards Association and former commissioner of the San Francisco Board of Education
Tim Melton, vice president of legislative affairs for Students First, a bipartisan grassroots organization focusing on education
Sep 13, 2012
