Posted on Feb 28, 2021
Boston public schools cancel new advanced classes for high performing students because of racial...
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Boston Public Schools officials said that a program with advanced learning classes would be cancelled over concerns that the classes served disproportionate racial groups.
The program known as Advanced Work Classes was intended to serve high-performing students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grade. Students are encouraged to study their subjects in a deeper and non-traditional manner.
School officials became concerned when a report showed that the program was disproportionately serving white students, and underserving black and Hispanic students.
The district analysis found that more than 70% of the students in the program were white or Asian, while nearly 80% of the students in the district are Hispanic or black.
"This is just not acceptable," said School Committee member Lorna Rivera in a school meeting in January. "I've never heard these statistics before, and I'm very very disturbed by them."
Rivera cited one finding at one school that showed the program included 60% white fourth graders though a majority of third graders are black or Hispanic.
Superintendent Brenda Cassellius told WGBH News on Friday that they would put the program on hiatus over the racial findings.
"There's been a lot of inequities that have been brought to the light in the pandemic that we have to address," Cassellius said. "There's a lot of work we have to do in the district to be antiracist and have policies where all of our students have a fair shot at an equitable and excellent education."
Students would be eligible in the program if they scored high on a test in third grade. Of those, participants were chosen by lottery. Officials said 453 students were invited to the program last fall, 143 students applied and 116 enrolled for the 2021 year.
Cassellius said students already enrolled in the program could continue, but it would be phased out for fourth and fifth grades.
The program known as Advanced Work Classes was intended to serve high-performing students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grade. Students are encouraged to study their subjects in a deeper and non-traditional manner.
School officials became concerned when a report showed that the program was disproportionately serving white students, and underserving black and Hispanic students.
The district analysis found that more than 70% of the students in the program were white or Asian, while nearly 80% of the students in the district are Hispanic or black.
"This is just not acceptable," said School Committee member Lorna Rivera in a school meeting in January. "I've never heard these statistics before, and I'm very very disturbed by them."
Rivera cited one finding at one school that showed the program included 60% white fourth graders though a majority of third graders are black or Hispanic.
Superintendent Brenda Cassellius told WGBH News on Friday that they would put the program on hiatus over the racial findings.
"There's been a lot of inequities that have been brought to the light in the pandemic that we have to address," Cassellius said. "There's a lot of work we have to do in the district to be antiracist and have policies where all of our students have a fair shot at an equitable and excellent education."
Students would be eligible in the program if they scored high on a test in third grade. Of those, participants were chosen by lottery. Officials said 453 students were invited to the program last fall, 143 students applied and 116 enrolled for the 2021 year.
Cassellius said students already enrolled in the program could continue, but it would be phased out for fourth and fifth grades.
Boston public schools cancel new advanced classes for high performing students because of racial...
Posted from theblaze.com
Boston
Education
Schools
Equality
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 13
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What a travesty to children of all skin color!!! It is not about race, it is about educating those who aspire to learn faster and more complicated subjects as these children are more advanced, mentally than the average student... It's open to all those who meet the higher levels of learning requirements... Period!!! These administrators want to hold children back!!! Sad scenario!
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It's a rotten deal for those not chosen because of race, there could be the next Einstein or Booker T. Washington in the group Lt Col Charlie Brown
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
How about expanding the classes rather than getting rid of them? And give the underperformers more assistance?
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SSG Robert Perrotto
My question is - why? just because something is disproportionate does not mean race is the reason for it. Is there a certain grade percentage required to take advantage of this opportunity? I am also starting to see a trend beginning that Asians are being lumped in with White people as those with "Privilege". Throughout my life, I have seen Asian people work their mom & pop business over 12 hours a day, their children sitting in a corner of the shop/food establishment/business - doing schoolwork. as their Mothers and Fathers, even aunts and uncles, work themselves to the bone to provide the opportunities for their children.
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So much for creating the best and brightest to lead their generation into the future. I digress, they need stupid collective drones to lord over.
"...the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology.... The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated. When the technique has been perfected, every government that has been in charge of education for a generation will be able to control its subjects securely without the need of armies or policemen. As yet there is only one country which has succeeded in creating this politician’s paradise."
The Impact of Science on Society by Bertrand Russell
"...the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology.... The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated. When the technique has been perfected, every government that has been in charge of education for a generation will be able to control its subjects securely without the need of armies or policemen. As yet there is only one country which has succeeded in creating this politician’s paradise."
The Impact of Science on Society by Bertrand Russell
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