THE NEW SEGREGATION

 There are Motivated Black Boys Out There!

At the beginning of the school year, a Black student told me, "I'm not supposed to be here;  I'm supposed to be in AP.  I have to see my guidance counselor because I can't learn anything in here."  I had to agree with him.  I could tell, even during the first week of school, the students who had a history of failure.  Some were rough around the edges and needed guidance for the appropriate way to respond.    I knew I would  have to use  tough love and teachable moments to reach some of them.   I would differentiate my instruction and modify my assignments.  I would make my intentions clear.  By the middle of the school year, the honeymoon would be over. The class would be difficult for a student who did not want to be around disruptive students.  That Black boy wasted no time getting his schedule changed.  He knew he would be a minority in his advanced course; but he also knew he would be with motivated learners.  I was proud of him for advocating for himself as I signed his change grade form.  However, I also felt sad because I would lose a motivated learner.

Why are Students Falling Behind?

Every student does not want to take Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureat (IB) courses, and that's okay.  But every class should be filled with motivated learners who feel respected and who respect their teachers.  Even if a student is disruptive for only 2 or 3 minutes, the energy can be draining.  Too many students get used to the negative energy caused by unmotivated students.  Black and Hispanic students were surprised when I told them that schools were more segregated now than during the 1960s.  Some looked around the room, confused.  Many had grown accustomed to the disruptions.

As a student was being removed from my class, I told him that I hoped his behavior would improve the next time he was there.  He said nothing.  Another student heard me and offered her advice: "He's not going to get better.  He's going to get worse--just like last year!"  I held on to the belief that his behavior would improve.  And it did--during the last few weeks of class.  Many teachers do not have the patience that I have.  They quickly ask for special education assessments.  Some students enter a cycle of suspensions and many are even arrested.  Some teachers do will whatever it takes to get rid of disruptive students.  However, this only creates a cycle of failure. 

Less Time in Class Means Less Time Learning

A Hispanic boy in my English class got a 10-day suspension.  I gave him work and told him he would not fall behind if he completed all of the assignments.  Ten days later, he came back.  I asked him for the assignment; and he said he did not do it.  "Why not?" I was sure he could do  the assignments; I made sure to modify it and provide clear directions.  "Oh, I went to Puerto Rico." "What?  Puerto Rico?"  I asked, shocked.   "Why didn't take the assignment with you?"  "...Because I was in Puerto Rico."  I was angry at the parents and annoyed because of the time I wasted creating the assignment.  I tried not to judge the parents.  There have been many reasons why the parents chose to send the boy to Puerto Rico: personal problems, family problems, school problems...

However, the less time a student spends in class, the less information s/he is getting.  If the work is not modified, many students fall further behind.  Too many students do not know how to ask for help.  Others have given up before they even enter your classroom.  Where ever a student was when he stopped learning, that's where he is when he enters your classroom.  Breaking the cycle is difficult, especially if you are a female teacher and the student is a young, Black or Hispanic male.

Educators Must Shift Their Focus

I think that ambitious Black boys are ignored while all of the attention goes to the young men who are failing.  I decided to change my focus.  When I gave my attention to what was working, I saw the young, Black male who was motivated and wanted to learn.  I saw the Black male who worked diligently at his sheet music because he wanted to become concert pianist. I remembered the Black male who wanted to become a scientist.  I saw the Hispanic boy who wanted to own his own restaurant and the other who wanted to become a reporter. They are motivated, respectful, and get along with their classmates.   They are completing the coursework with A's and B's.

I had a balanced day when I did not focus most of my attention of the struggling learners.  Yes, I believe many Black and Hispanic boys lag behind.  But many others are thriving, and every little is said about them.   I think educators must shift their focus in order to have a balanced view of Black and Hispanic males.

Questions to Consider

I hope educators will consider the following in order to end the New Segregation:

What are Black and Hispanic Boys doing well?


The achievement gap seems wide between Black and white students.  Instead of  comparing Black students to white students, how about focusing on methods to help ALL students to move forward academically?


Instead of blaming, what can educators (and parents) do to encourage all students to become motivated learners?


What can educators do to close the gap for ALL struggling learners?