Thursday, March 27, 2014

Over Zealous Schools


            In its efforts to control school climate and maintain discipline, some schools have become over zealous and find themselves on the wrong side of what they believe is right.  A Charter school in Colorado provides a perfect example of what happens when a school becomes over zealous in maintaining school climate and discipline.

            A nine year old girl who wanted to support her friend and classmate with her battle with cancer, shaved all of her hair to makes sure her friend would not feel isolated and teased for her hair loss due to chemotherapy.  Instead of praising the little girl for her act of sensitivity, empathy and maturity, the school suspended the little for violation of the schools “dress code[i].”

            When notified of the suspension, the parent contacted the school and informed the school her daughter wasn’t trying to violate school policy, her daughter wanted to support her friend.  Unfortunately, the school upheld the decision to suspend.  It wasn’t until the incident reached the attention of the local media that action was taken to reverse the suspension.  The Charter school board voted 3-1 to overturn the suspension and allow the little girl to “be an exception” to the dress code policy[ii].

            The rise in the number of innocuous incidents that result in suspension and/or expulsion demonstrates that school leaders are looking to punish instead of changing behaviors.  When a school moves to suspend and expel a kindergarten student for turning his finger into a gun and make a shooting sound, why not use that incident as a “teachable” moment and address the behavior with the whole class and discuss why you shouldn’t make your hand a gun?

            Every parent would like their child’s school to be a place where learning occurs, positive climate and where there are rules and consequences for violation of the rules (student discipline).  However, student discipline should have some flexibility and not categorize every act by a student as an intentional attempt to violate school rules; especially at the kindergarten and elementary school level.

 

 

 



[i] http://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado-girl-shaves-head-for-pal-with-cancer-temporarily-suspended/
[ii] ibid

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Other Ways to Empower

            Recently it was reported that a number of high profile women have begun a campaign to ban the “b-word.”  What is surprising is the campaign is not focused on ending the infamous “b-word” that is a slur against women.  The “b-word” these high profile women want to ban is “bossy.”

            The campaign to ban the word bossy is led by Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg and endorsed by high profile celebrity Beyonce who believe the word bossy discourages young girls and women from seeking leadership positions.  The campaign seeks to empower young girls and women to utilize their voice to be recognized for their accomplishments and strive to close the pay and leadership gap that exists between men and women.  So far 100,000 people have signed a pledge to stop saying the word bossy[i].

            While this is a noble campaign, I believe there are a number of causes that high profile women could focus their attention to empower young girls and women.  Shouldn't there be a campaign to ban the marketing of provocative clothing to young girls?  Shouldn't there be a campaign to ban the body image and perceptions of beauty in the fashion industry?  Finally, what about campaigning against the portrayal of young girls and women in many of the television shows?  Shows that portray young girls and women as shallow, petty and vindictive also send messages to young girls that to be popular, date the cute guy and to be part of the “popular” group, you cannot be smart.

            Instead of starting a movement to ban the word bossy, why not lend their celebrity to a movement for women and young girls to consider other fields where women are not traditionally represented?  Why not campaign to ban something that matters like helping young girls learn how to cope without a father?

            There are a number of things that are far more important to the empowerment, health and overall well being of women and young girls than banning the word bossy.  Since I am not a woman, I guess being called “bossy” is more offensive than being called the other “b word.”


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Legislating Hope for Young Men in Public Education

                Many people wonder why today’s young men are not motivated or engaged in their education.  Is it the fault of the parent? Is it the fault of the school? Is it the fault of the young man?  Of course all three share some blame, but should we begin to consider another member to blame: our State and Federal representatives?  With all the budget cuts, layoffs and school closures in public education, many students have come to believe legislators don’t care about their education.  A perfect example of this can be seen in a comment made by a State Representative from Oklahoma last April.

            Addressing the expansion of Oklahoma’s Promise Program which provides post-secondary scholarships to qualified students living in economically distressed communities, the State Representative made the following statement in a debate to the Legislature over the bill:

                        “They {the Legislature} have no responsibility to ensure students have
                         access to a college education[i].”

The State Representative continued this belief in an e-mail exchange with a legislative colleague when discussing an academically talented student young man who did not have enough money to pay for college.  The Representative stated:

                        “It is not our job to see that anyone gets an education.  It is not the 
                        responsibility of me, you, or any constituent in my district to pay for
                        another persons education…their potential to benefit society is
                        irrelevant[ii].”

            It is this type of belief that discourage young men to become motivated and engaged in school.  During a time when young men are being told they have to go to college in order to get a job and succeed in society, they are seeing college graduates unable to secure a job and living at home with huge student loan debt, you can see how easily some stud can learn not to care about their education.

            Luckily, President Obama has created the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative to help young men and young men of color become motivated and reengage in their education and take control of their lives.  By addressing the obstacles young men and young men of color face such as access to male role models, abuse of drugs, truancy and involvement in the juvenile justice system, it is believed young men and young men of color will be able to become successful adults.

            Programs and initiatives that focus on young men and young men of color comes at a time when young men of color are under attack and being murdered for “looking” like they are about commit a crime when walking home from the store to the “appearance” their music is too loud by a community of individuals who have embraced bias and stereotypes about young men of color.

                By embracing all young men, hopefully My Brother’s Keeper will break the cycle of generational bias and stereotypes and initiate a new generation of young men who refuse to continue the cycle of hate and intolerance and embrace the idea of equal access and opportunity for all men.  Maybe then young men and young men of color will reach their potential in school.
           



[i] www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/mike-reynolds-education_n_3038157.html
[ii] ibid