While discussing the American Education History timeline in class, I began to see that we really have done that much to improve our education system in regards to segregation by race or by special needs. I grew up in a suburban area of upstate New York and although our school is predominately white, many other races and ethnicities are represented. During class I started to think about an incident that happened a few years ago that further proves that ideologies about race and difference are similar to those just a few decades ago, and that if you can't change the ideology, you can't change the system.
A few years ago there was a white male in my high school who apparently for quite some time would make racial slurs to a black male. The black male repeatedly went to the Principal's office making formal complaints about it because he felt extremely uncomfortable, however no action was taken by the administration. The black male also told he administration that if they didn't do anything he would take it into his own hands, still, the administration did nothing. Finally, right after football season the black male started a huge fight in the cafeteria, and he ended up getting arrested and it was all over the news.
Another thing I wanted to discuss was some things people said in class that bothered me. First off, someone said something about special ed students not being as smart, I realize they might have not meant it that way but I wanted to make it clear that special ed students are just as smart as those without a learning disability, the only difference is they may process things slower or differently. Another thing is that special ed students definitely take tests to be labeled with an IEP. As I said in class, my mom often comes home frustrated because there seem to be many kids without the necessary attention and they often fall through the cracks and end up failing and having to stay extra years. It's truly sad that as stated in class politics is filled with discussion of improving our education system but when it comes down to it, it gets screwed. As someone stated in class, education is not a moneymaking institution. They're absolutely right, and in the capitalist society we live in where everything is basically about money and everything seems to become a business, if there's not money, we don't care. This needs to change.
http://www.myshortpencil.com/schooltalk/cgi-bin/board-profile.cgi?action=rate&topic=2&page=3382&post=9959
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Wow! That case is interesting. Thanks for the clarification concerning students with special needs.
That definetly was an interesting situation that took place at your school. The black student was doing the right thing and not recieving the help the situation warrented. Starting the fight isnt the right solution but i sympathize with him due to the circumstances that led up to it.
As far as the special ed situation and your mom - i hear where shes coming from - my dad is a special ed teacher. He too gets frustrated with the way they get treated. The students like you said are their because they need assistance or some extra time. None the less there is a lot of work involved in special education and it seems like there the department under the most scrutiny. Towards the end of each year all he does is fill out IEP forms and write recommendations over his students.
Anyway im not sure where i was going with that but yea good points in the blog.
If they only took the time to research how much a "poor education" really costs the government and society -- or maybe they have but they don't really care, because not only is it a money thing but also it is a power thing.
It truly upsets me that the black male at your school did not receive the attention he deserved from the principal. It sounds like a situation that could have taken place during the civil rights movement. Things must change within our society. If all races are not treated fairly in the education system, then this problem will never be solved and situations like the one in your high school will never end.
The situation that occured in your high school is actually dispicable. It really makes you wonder what officials of schools are really doing if they aren't even there to protect the welfare of their students, not only based on racial connotations but those with learning disabilities often hear derogatory comments directed at them as well.
Post a Comment