Comments on: African-American Students Report to the Gym http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2009/04/30/african-american-students-report-to-the-gym/ Closing the Achievement Gap: Teaching Content Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:41:06 -0500 hourly 1 By: RJO http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2009/04/30/african-american-students-report-to-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-6702 RJO Sun, 03 May 2009 00:42:31 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=2566#comment-6702 I mainly focus on college and university-level issues, but readers here might be interested in the parallel popularity of "theme halls" in higher ed -- segregated housing arrangements that group (say) all the science students in one dorm, or all the nursing students, or all the artists. There are some that are ethnically or socio-culturally based as well: a Latino dorm, or a first-generation freshman dorm. The fixation on population segmentation is very strong in some sectors of higher education. I have written a few things against the segregated theme-hall idea, and in favor of cross-sectional liberal education, here: http://collegiateway.org/news/2007-against-theme-halls http://collegiateway.org/news/2009-thematic-housing I mainly focus on college and university-level issues, but readers here might be interested in the parallel popularity of “theme halls” in higher ed — segregated housing arrangements that group (say) all the science students in one dorm, or all the nursing students, or all the artists. There are some that are ethnically or socio-culturally based as well: a Latino dorm, or a first-generation freshman dorm. The fixation on population segmentation is very strong in some sectors of higher education.

I have written a few things against the segregated theme-hall idea, and in favor of cross-sectional liberal education, here:

http://collegiateway.org/news/2007-against-theme-halls

http://collegiateway.org/news/2009-thematic-housing

]]> By: Ben F http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2009/04/30/african-american-students-report-to-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-6699 Ben F Sat, 02 May 2009 15:52:50 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=2566#comment-6699 A few days ago, this story would have just seemed bizarre. But now I know why the principal resorted to these "heritage" rallies...our California middle school has just been notified that it's on the dreaded "program improvement" list, wherein the state takes over and restructures the school per NCLB. Why?, we asked our principal, our scores have been going up. Not, apparently, in two "subgroups": socioeconomically disadvantaged and Hispanic. So in our small school, getting ten or fifteen Hispanic kids to improve their scores might have saved us from this draconian fate. Our principal's message: we have to focus intensely on these "subgroups". A few days ago, this story would have just seemed bizarre. But now I know why the principal resorted to these “heritage” rallies…our California middle school has just been notified that it’s on the dreaded “program improvement” list, wherein the state takes over and restructures the school per NCLB. Why?, we asked our principal, our scores have been going up. Not, apparently, in two “subgroups”: socioeconomically disadvantaged and Hispanic. So in our small school, getting ten or fifteen Hispanic kids to improve their scores might have saved us from this draconian fate. Our principal’s message: we have to focus intensely on these “subgroups”.

]]> By: Diana Senechal http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2009/04/30/african-american-students-report-to-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-6696 Diana Senechal Sat, 02 May 2009 15:06:20 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=2566#comment-6696 This is wrong, even if it sends the test scores soaring. It may result in test score increases, but do those affect learning? Most likely, such pep rallies encourage some students to do their best; when they do their best, they do better when they do not do their best. But one's best is limited by one's learning. Thus the positive effects will only go so far. I have seen many students give up on tests--they fill in bubbles randomly or just sit still and refuse to write. If all these students made an earnest effort, the school average could well go up. But it will stop at a certain point. Other students who were already trying may be aided by encouragement. But does it have to take the form of rallies like this? And the negative effects? Hyping up a shallow sense of heritage for the sake of a test score. Pitting ethnic groups against each other. Making students choose between one ethnic group and another. Promoting ethnic jingoism. Exalting the tests to a status they do not deserve. Breaking up a school community and damaging common culture. Ignoring subtleties of heritage and of education. Downplaying the learning that must take place in order for students to do well not only on tests but in life. This is wrong, even if it sends the test scores soaring. It may result in test score increases, but do those affect learning? Most likely, such pep rallies encourage some students to do their best; when they do their best, they do better when they do not do their best. But one’s best is limited by one’s learning. Thus the positive effects will only go so far.

I have seen many students give up on tests–they fill in bubbles randomly or just sit still and refuse to write. If all these students made an earnest effort, the school average could well go up. But it will stop at a certain point. Other students who were already trying may be aided by encouragement. But does it have to take the form of rallies like this?

And the negative effects? Hyping up a shallow sense of heritage for the sake of a test score. Pitting ethnic groups against each other. Making students choose between one ethnic group and another. Promoting ethnic jingoism. Exalting the tests to a status they do not deserve. Breaking up a school community and damaging common culture. Ignoring subtleties of heritage and of education. Downplaying the learning that must take place in order for students to do well not only on tests but in life.

]]> By: Stephen Lentz http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2009/04/30/african-american-students-report-to-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-6695 Stephen Lentz Sat, 02 May 2009 13:11:31 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=2566#comment-6695 I gotta go with "horrifying" on this one. Any gain in test scores has to be offset by increasing the divisions within the school community. If parents really do support this model, then perhaps a group of them should propose a charter school based on an HBCU model of ethnically isolated education. But dividing students within a single school into race-based activities? That is indeed horrifying. I gotta go with “horrifying” on this one. Any gain in test scores has to be offset by increasing the divisions within the school community. If parents really do support this model, then perhaps a group of them should propose a charter school based on an HBCU model of ethnically isolated education. But dividing students within a single school into race-based activities? That is indeed horrifying.

]]> By: Elissa Klein http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2009/04/30/african-american-students-report-to-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-6682 Elissa Klein Fri, 01 May 2009 04:26:52 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=2566#comment-6682 These rallies may sound "horrifying," but if they help the students, I'd say they're worth it. African American students score lower on tests if their race is highlighted before the exam. Small studies have shown that watching a clip of Obama before taking an exam eliminates that gap. Perhaps rallies highlighting an ethnic group's academic gains will help those groups feel more confident going into tests. These rallies may sound “horrifying,” but if they help the students, I’d say they’re worth it. African American students score lower on tests if their race is highlighted before the exam. Small studies have shown that watching a clip of Obama before taking an exam eliminates that gap. Perhaps rallies highlighting an ethnic group’s academic gains will help those groups feel more confident going into tests.

]]> By: Gina http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2009/04/30/african-american-students-report-to-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-6677 Gina Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:21:59 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=2566#comment-6677 Horrifying was my reaction. Those that cry that America is still "racist" are working hard to keep it that way. Horrifying was my reaction. Those that cry that America is still “racist” are working hard to keep it that way.

]]> By: Brian Rude http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2009/04/30/african-american-students-report-to-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-6676 Brian Rude Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:40:18 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=2566#comment-6676 Am I the only one that thinks that NCLB's requirements of reporting data based on ethnic groups is at best well-intentioned and wrong-headed? Am I the only one that thinks that NCLB’s requirements of reporting data based on ethnic groups is at best well-intentioned and wrong-headed?

]]> By: Souzanne A. Wright http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2009/04/30/african-american-students-report-to-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-6674 Souzanne A. Wright Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:08:33 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=2566#comment-6674 You've got to be kidding me! For once, I am speechless. You’ve got to be kidding me! For once, I am speechless.

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