Get your tissues ready…. The Grio reports that during an interview with NBC’s chief education correspondent Rehema Ellis, 29-year-old Rasan Portlock brought tears to the eyes of his 10-year-old son Ryheim over his son’s academic achievement. The father and son sat down with Ellis to talk about the academic improvements made at Devonshire Elementary School in Charlotte, … [Read more...]
Philadelphia’s Priorities: Does Philly Prefer Prisons Over Schools?
Due to budget cuts and a debt of $304 million, the Pennsylvania School Reform Commission voted on June 1 to close 23 Philadelphia public schools. This will lead to almost 3,000 jobs lost, numerous students without resources such as textbooks, extra-curricular activities, and even administration positions like assistant principals, librarians, and counselors. On the other hand, … [Read more...]
The Problem with Chicago’s School Closings
At the end of this year my city, Chicago is closing a total of 49 Elementary Schools which is the largest in the city’s history. The largest source of revenue for the district, 40% comes from local sources (mostly local property taxes). The state provides 31% of funding via the general state aid (GSA), based on a complicated formula set by the state legislature and finally the … [Read more...]
VIDEO: 9 Year Old Gets Fed Up and Tired of Rahm Emmanuel & Chicago School Board
Video of 9 year old Asean Johnson has taken off over the web, after he took the podium and energized a crowd, organized to protest the closing of more Chicago city public schools. In the video young Asean passionately explains why his school, Marcus Garvey Elementary should not be closed. Asean is definitely not alone in his passion or concern about violence in the streets … [Read more...]
5 Things to Consider When Choosing a School For Your Child
A great school is so much more than fresh paint and new computers. Don't get caught up in thinking that a school with well-behaved children is a good school. Good behavior does not mean that students are actually learning. Many parents get caught up in the physical appearance of the school without considering other options. Look for these 5 things when choosing a … [Read more...]
4 Ways To Instill Courage, Persistence, and the Will to Achieve In Our Children
What I loved about being a classroom teacher was that I could teach beautiful brown girls and boys that looked like me some of the habits of success and life skills that served me well in my pursuit of love, happiness, and personal fulfillment. Earlier this week, as an administrator, I had to support the proctoring of some serious high-stakes State exams. And for some … [Read more...]
Future Debt a Concern for Students Considering College
At one time, at the forefront of the decision on where to go to college was some dialogue on the college’s reputation. Depending on what you were looking to get your degree in, one would opt to pick a school that was “known” for such. For those who were looking to get in on the social scene the school’s reputation when it came to school involvement and engagement might have … [Read more...]
61 Schools Will Close in Chicago
"When you take away access to simple necessities such as education and jobs, you end up with a city that lives and breathes violence." The above quote is from Yesha Callahn, of Clutch Magazine. Her piece focuses on the state of Public Education in Chicago. The town of Chicago has come to be known for violence as its streets have been plagued by homicide. And now, at a time … [Read more...]
VIDEO: 23 Philadelphia Schools Will Be Closing Their Doors
While four of Philadelphia’s public schools are safe from closure, it is hard not to focus on the “more than two dozen” schools that are not. As a result of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission’s recent vote as part of their efforts to save the school district “about $24 million a year” 23 schools are “slated” to close their doors to students. These schools are described … [Read more...]
It’s Never too Late: 106-year-old Woman to Receive Diploma
A 106-year-old woman will be receiving her high school diploma. An example to all that as long as you have breath in your body there is still a chance to accomplish your goals. “Reba Williams said she completed high school in Ohio but was denied her diploma because she refused to read a final book assigned by a teacher. She’d read it once and didn’t want to read it … [Read more...]
Let’s Talk About Sex: How Young Is Too Young?
Lately there’s been a lot of talk about sex. An already hot topic amongst adults is now making its way to a kindergarten classroom near you, if you live in Chicago of course. For many parents the idea of their innocent five year old being taught about sex is a scary thought, but for Chicago, home of the "third-largest public school system in the country," this will be their … [Read more...]
Changes in Loan Polices May Impact Your Child’s Ability to Attend College
Due to changes in the way the U.S. Department of Education evaluated the credit of parents applying for a federal PLUS loan many students are having to make significant changes while on their path to college graduation. Faced with having to change schools or even stay home, black students have been negatively impacted by these new polices which result in their parents no longer … [Read more...]
Homeschooling Family With 7 Kids Gets It Done and Done Well
A family with seven kids is defying the odds by not just homeschooling all their kids, but sending them to college at the age of 16. The Henderson family, a black family living in Colorado has done things their way for many years. Wayde and Janelle Henderson have seven children, and have homeschooled them all for the past 21 years. Making education a priority As … [Read more...]
School Fails to Cast Any Black Students to Star in Their Rendition of ‘The Wiz’
Would you be upset if a theatrical rendition of a historically black film or play was done only the leading characters weren’t black? It has happened at a New York High School whose production of The Wiz won’t include any of their black students in the leading or supporting roles. For those of you who aren't familiar with The Wiz, it was the black version of The Wonderful … [Read more...]
5 Skills Parents Can Teach Their Children to Start Preparing Them for College at an Early Age
I have been a higher education administrator for over a decade. In that time I have worked primarily with first year students, and I have done so in various capacities. I’ve done everything from planning concerts to providing academic advisement. I’ve worked for large schools and smaller ones, both private and state. I’ve interacted with students who are humbled by the … [Read more...]