But mostly, the ability to offer “choices” follows a popular law of physics from Newton – for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In DeKalb, these programs cost money – and there’s only so much to go around. So – it comes off the backs of others. We now have some programs that offer and abundance of teachers of the arts, enrichment, library and media services, technology and career prep, and AP courses, while others literally do not have the books and supplies required to teach the basics – and spend their day in 50-100 year old, crappy buildings.

Maureen – your children attend Decatur City Schools – average per student expenditure is $13,000 I believe. In DeKalb it varies — from about $8500-$10,000 and that doesn’t even include the cost of transporting kids all around the county for these special programs.

DeKalb ain’t “all that” for everyone, my friend. I would suggest you dig a little deeper before going to press with news of how it is in DeKalb.

Please provide me with the statisctics (no doubt must be a credible source) that prove black children are not excelling academically, and are not on par with their Asian and White counterparts in other parts of the world.

This statement is simply not true.

It is fairly safe to say that based on the way some posters present their opinions, they have never left this great continent and travelled overseas and integrated themselves into any other country for any period of time. Black children are excelling academically, and are on par with their Asian and White counterparts in other parts of the world..

As an immigrant, I tend to think that it is a matter of culture and the value placed on education from birth, rather than race. In my home growing up outside of America, my parents had nine (9) children, while we were not living in penury sacrifices were made daily, but the emphasis was on education, not on expensive sneakers and bad behavior. We all graduated high school, sat and passed the exams set by GSCE (national testing written in Britian) and graduated college. All have led productive, drug-free, crime-free lives here in our adopted homeland. I am the youngest, certainly not considered “educationally challenged” because I excelled and made the President’s list at a tier one college here and have worked in corporate America for more than 20 years.

Yes, we do currently live in an affluent, predominantly white area, but our child was never condititoned from birth to believe that all he can be is a basketball player, football player, rapper or thug. The emphasis is on education and discipline. He has been raised on the premise that we WILL not get a call from his prinicpal about his lack of discipline and respect. It is not negotiable! He knows that from elementary school until now he is a junior in high school, all his teachers have our e-mail addresses, cell and work phone numbers and are allowed to call me late at nights at home. I can honestly say that he is 16 years and I have had to spank him only once in his life. We are also actively involved in his extra curriculum activites. Our son is captain of the varsity Academic Bowl team for his high school. He has also been selected for State recognition for the SAT. So much for black kids not excelling at academics! Since he has been competing in these academic bowls years, I have been fortunate to sit and observe the different races perform in many competitions over the years. While I will agree that black kids are underrepresented at these competitions, those that turn up to compete are impressive.

What has not been presented strongly in these arguments, is how being conditioned from birth to think that one will be a failure by the media, parents, society and the school systems can affect black and hispanic kids here in America. Maybe there should be research done as to why black kids from the Caribbean islands and those whose parents are first generation immigrants here excell in ways that black American kids do not? Should be interesting reading.

I tend to agree with Dr. Potter. I know for a fact that Asians do well academically because in their culture it is almost a disgrace to bring home a failing grade. Asian parents do hire tutors to help their children succeed and yes they do prepare for years for the SAT.
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http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/09/derrion-albert-vigil-and-march-postponed.html

“mom3″ (aka Catlady, jim d, Lee, ScienceTeacher671)”

Sorry Trotter, these are all long time posters to this blog, not pseudonyms from the same person. And speaking of boring…..