The October issue of Ebony magazine features a sit-down interview with Bill Gates and his efforts to improve America’s educational system. The multi-billionaire (and head of the Gates Foundation) has infused billions into U.S. schools and is startled by the lack of urgency surrounding the “dropout factories” we call schools.
So 10 years after starting the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation””and deciding to put billions into improving education in America””he knows that access to technology is no longer the issue. How we use that technology in the classroom, and whom we hire to teach are.
America’s public school system, particularly in the inner city where dropout rates top 50 percent in some cases, is failing at both.
“That’s when you say, “˜Oh, my goodness!”...This is a stark situation,'” says Gates of learning that some schools were little more than dropout factories, even though low-cost technology was supposed to be the great equalizer.
In fact, once Gates got over the shock at the continued disparity in the education system, he says he got angry. Now, he struggles to figure out why Blacks, particularly in inner cities, aren’t also mad as hell and ready to pound the pavement for change. “Why isn’t there outrage, absolute outrage over this issue? Why aren’t there protests every day? I don’t understand,” he says. “Why wouldn’t this activate people the way that it did during the Civil Rights Movement?”
He goes on to say that America’s failing educational system should be the top civil rights issue of our time. Do you agree? Disagree?
Rishona Campbell says
Easy; we aren’t outraged because we are disillusioned. I did very well in HS, graduating in the top 5% of my HS senior class of 382 students. I’ve earned by BA degree and I’m currently working on a Master’s. Yet I am among the working poor…making less than 30K annually. We need more than education; we need mentors, networks and connections. It can be from within or outside of the Black community. THAT is the key…because with a good network, you don’t even need an education.
jbledsoejr says
I think it is pretty disappointing…read this article yesterday about the 2011 class and their reading skills/scores.
https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/09/14/140466907/class-of-2011-reading-scores-on-sat-fall-to-lowest-level-on-record?ft=1&f=1001
writingprincess says
Because most Black folk are still swallowing the poison that has been fed to them by the race pimpers and the ego-maniacal so-called Black leaders who tell them that the government is responsible for everything instead of emphasizing personal responsibility. So all these parents vote Democrat which is the party of the union which fights for union benefits instead of educating children. It’s sad that a billionaire can see the defunct education system as it is and the folks who live down the street are blinded by ideology, phantom cries of racism and all manner of ridiculous excuses so as to keep supporting a profoundly broken system. Education is the civil rights issue of the day there is no more important issue because we’re raising a nation of ignorant children who can’t read, think or even master their own emotions and will NEVER make it in the real world. Yet we keep going to the ballot box and voting for white Democratic hypocrites who fight to keep failing schools open and steal from taxpayers’ pockets to support an institution where only 1/2 of its pupils achieve minimal success. These same white Democrats who refuse to send their sons and daughters to the schools they say black and Hispanic kids must go. Thanks Mayor Emmanuel of Chicago.
I am OUTRAGED and I don’t even have children I am OUTRAGED at the apathy surrounding education in the black community. I am OUTRAGED at the stranglehold teacher’s union have on the system allowing black and brown children to fail while they keep their jobs and their pension. If teaching is hard get another job! In Singapore teachers are paid higher than engineers you know why THEY GET FREAKIN’ RESULTS!
I’m not going to up teacher pay for failure in what world does that make sense?
The more we sit around and say “Oh woe is me…”and hold our hand out the more children will be lost to this defunct and utterly broken system. DO SOMETHING PEOPLE!!! If you’re out of work apply to be a volunteer mentor at your neighborhood school, be a tutor, be a voice of reason when you see a group of young black kids acting out, do something because if we don’t who will? Bill Gates and Oprah can’t save us we can only save ourselves.
writingprincess says
Because most Black folk are still swallowing the poison that has been fed to them by the race pimpers and the ego-maniacal so-called Black leaders who tell them that the government is responsible for everything instead of emphasizing personal responsibility. So all these parents vote Democrat which is the party of the union which fights for union benefits instead of educating children. It’s sad that a billionaire can see the defunct education system as it is and the folks who live down the street are blinded by ideology, phantom cries of racism and all manner of ridiculous excuses so as to keep supporting a profoundly broken system. Education is the civil rights issue of the day there is no more important issue because we’re raising a nation of ignorant children who can’t read, think or even master their own emotions and will NEVER make it in the real world. Yet we keep going to the ballot box and voting for white Democratic hypocrites who fight to keep failing schools open and steal from taxpayers’ pockets to support an institution where only 1/2 of its pupils achieve minimal success. These same white Democrats who refuse to send their sons and daughters to the schools they say black and Hispanic kids must go. Thanks Mayor Emmanuel of Chicago.
I am OUTRAGED and I don’t even have children I am OUTRAGED at the apathy surrounding education in the black community. I am OUTRAGED at the stranglehold teacher’s union have on the system allowing black and brown children to fail while they keep their jobs and their pension. If teaching is hard get another job! In Singapore teachers are paid higher than engineers you know why THEY GET FREAKIN’ RESULTS!
I’m not going to up teacher pay for failure in what world does that make sense?
The more we sit around and say “Oh woe is me…”and hold our hand out the more children will be lost to this defunct and utterly broken system. DO SOMETHING PEOPLE!!! If you’re out of work apply to be a volunteer mentor at your neighborhood school, be a tutor, be a voice of reason when you see a group of young black kids acting out, do something because if we don’t who will? Bill Gates and Oprah can’t save us we can only save ourselves.
allpraises says
Democrat or Republican it’s all the same. I agree with that, however the reason Black parents seem to be missing the bulletin when it comes to the poor state of education is because they aren’t educated. They didn’t go to college, they can only do what they know. My husband and I homeschool our children and my daughter who is 5, goes to a public kindergarten for socialization purposes only!! We need to start raising black children to have pride in themselves the way white parents do for their children. Teaching self efficacy and self reliance is more important than the racial aspect of life at this point. We had to learn to live in white society but we must teach our children to thrive in it. I think you really hit the nail on the head. We have to something as a collective, for our children to make it.
Estabien says
I am a teacher and apart of a Teacher’s Union. I go to work faithfully and love and pray for my students. I teach, teach and teach some more but what I get is YOUR CLASS IS BORING. I am tired of people like you who constantly blame the teacher. You all say the teachers don’t do their job. How many classrooms have you visited or volunteered in? How many parents are you asking “have you talked to your child’s teacher to see if they are up to par?,” “are you reading to your child?” “do you check on your child’s grades?” What are you, as the community, doing to help our children become successful? You guys have no idea what a teacher contends with on a daily basis nor do you care. ALL of us have a part to play in educating our children. BE the CHANGE for our community! Good teachers are doing it every day but people like you, sister, are blaming one part of the whole.
Teacher'sDaughter says
Of what municipalities do you speak? (regarding: I am OUTRAGED at the stranglehold teacher’s union have on the system…. while they keep their jobs and
their pension. “)
Interesting point on Singapore; I’ll check it out – I wonder if their teachers get spit at, cursed at, and go yearssss without visionary leadership or real training (note: training is USELESS unless there’s a vision behind it).
JustBeingMe says
It is soooo sad, but true. Unfortunately, somewhere and somehow, mediocrity began to rule the world. I truly believe the quote “…my people perish for lack of knowledge” however, I want to add…depression and feelings of hopelessness. What I observe is that many parents, are just so overwhelmed with work and surviving, they have no energy left to get involved. Then I look at this younger group of parents…WHOO-SAH!! Many of them just seem glad the kids are out of the house for a few hours, and seem to care less about what’s really going on. I was fed up with the public school system when my daughter was in 3rd grade, and I pulled her out and homeschooled her myself. I graduated college, and had a career that I left to give her what she deserved. I didn’t feel supported AT ALL. But….she’s now a freshman at a selective enrollment High School here in Chicago, and I’m pleased with the education she’s getting. As a matter of fact, she’s in Arabic III, doing great, and this October she’ll be traveling to Doha, Qatar, for an all expense paid academic excursion to help build relations in the middle east (proud mama plug..lol). I did what I had to do. If I wasn’t married, I couldn’t have done that.
The problem is, I live across the street from the former school. WHY ON EARTH DO MY KIDS HAVE TO TRAVEL ACROSS TOWN TO GET A PROPER EDUCATION?? I feel so sorry for the kids I see entering that school, and that just ain’t right! Every kid, regardless of where they live, should be able to attend their neighborhood school (which would build the community relationships), and get AT LEAST a decent education! As a society we have to care for the children, especially if the parents seem to not care (often because no one cared for them). We are ALL to blame….
writingprincess says
So happy for your daughter darling and when she’s mastered Arabic tell her to call me I’d like to give her a job! Good for you proud mamma, you should be proud! My mom and dad were like you and they sent me on two buses and a train to my school across town in Chicago so that I could get the best education there was to get. And I’m so glad they did because the teachers at my school made a 1/3 less than the teachers at public school yet they got much better results. Mmmmm, I wonder why? Active parents or not you had to achieve in our school and we had teachers who believed every child could achieve. Many of my friends who went to that school are now teachers and they are dedicated and loyal to their students. But they also know it’s almost impossible to fire a bad teacher and just as impossible to keep one who was last hired even though he/she may have been getting results. Until we fix that broken system, until we start merit-pay not just pay for teachers I don’t see what incentive a teacher would have to get 100% of his/her kids up to par. Why would you care if you succeeded or failed if you knew you were getting a paycheck anyway and a job next school year? Parents definitely need to take responsibility for their children but I say we have to rethink our definition of who should be a teacher. I’m not blaming teachers I’m just saying if I worked at a job and 50% of the time I failed at that job I would not have that job very long.
GoddessCeCe says
This is what my husband and I have been talking about. It isn’t just the parents or the teachers sometimes they are the only ones who have it right. It’s when you start playing politics with the education system. Schools are underfunded. Kids see it, sense it and don’t want to be there. Teachers struggle to make sure their classroom is even able to accommodate the number of students they have. I don’t know what to do I don’t think I can home school my boys but we both believe that is the best option for them. The public education system is atrocious but the private schools around here are faith based, which bothers me because I don’t want my children raised in any faith I want them to find their own spiritual path, and out of our price range. I’m trying to figure out how to cut spending in other aspects of our lives to afford preschool for my oldest. Education in this country just isn’t right. I graduated high school in 2008 top 5% of my class and really the school I went to didn’t properly prepare me for college. Sadder there are people in these classes with me who honestly can’t even comprehend the material. There is a bigger rant I want to go on but I won’t.
Doci says
I agree with many of the comments. I am outraged. The numbers do not lie. These are complex issues and a lot of mis-education is involved. When two kids can sit in the same classroom, parents both engaged, and one has a poor outcome we have to look at the instruction and school environment.
For too long it has been assumed that when a child did not do well, on standardized tests, that it automatically meant 1) the families weren’t doing enough or 2) there was a learning disability. Research does not support these claims, the issues of parent involvement suggests most families are doing the same things with their children. Jeynes (2005) suggests it was more about things a school does to create s supportive environment than the specific set of activities parents do that increase student outcomes. So we can no longer say, the parents need to do this or that. Most parents are, so why the disparities?
Too many of us are okay with what is going on. Although my children are soaring and will do well in life, I am still concerned about the inequities in school and am sure to work with principals, teachers, and other parents to ensure that things change. We have to be concerned as a country about this or it won’t change.
Doci says
I also agree with the comment about Unions and the Democratic party. Very sophisticated manipulation, although the Republican Party won’t give us much better.
We should know that the Union funds most of the Democratic Party, yet, most of their work is about protecting educators and not children.
Estabien says
Please!!!! Go visit a classroom. You guys are talking about the minority of teachers who don’t care. I don’t care what political party you think is manipulating the system. Unfortunately, good teachers acquire the spirit of apathy when influenced by it on a daily basis. The classroom is not like it was when any of us on this board was in school (I am only 33). Yes, teachers have the option of getting another job; yet, it will be a matter of time before the new ones gets burn out and say, “what’s the use?” Thus, a high turnover rate.
Teacher'sDaughter says
sounds like you’ve sung in the choir ==> ” Unfortunately, good teachers acquire the spirit of apathy when influenced by it on a daily basis.”
Teacher'sDaughter says
MACRO level politics – yes, sophisticated by definition.
But protecting educators at the LOCAL level – FROM? May I suggest:
– Visit a few classrooms. Look at the environment: starting from the parking lot.
– Review the BUDGET allocations. Look at SPECIFICS of how program dollars are implemented. Since you’re sure to hear about “data” and “results”, do your own sample size validation of how the “outcomes” were measured.
nylse says
as these comments echo, blacks know and are mad, but they dont have enough resources and know how behind them to make a difference. can you imagine if bill gates were black and saying and doing the things he’s doing? sufficient people know about the state of inner city education in this country, but its about money and being in the majority – thats what it takes to affect change. if not its another movement and maybe we’re all just tired!
Michael Batie Ph.D. says
Well look at this. Not a single dissent to the premise of whether there should be outrage at the state of the education of our Black children. I have been a long and LOUD voice in Los Angeles regarding the state of mathematics education. I posted on various social media outlets data from the three high schools in Los Angeles that were still predominately African American (Crenshaw, Dorsey and Westchester high schools). The graphs presented showed that there were only 27 students among the three high schools that tested proficient in Algebra I. In fact I only got two or three responses, and one of those was a comment that they did not see the criminality in those types of numbers! WAKE UP community!
TeachersDaughter says
Maybe they don’t understand that Algebra is 9th grade – soon to be 7th/8th grade – math.
Maybe they are in occupations that don’t require advanced math skills (like the sciences, statistical research, or computer science).
Maybe you don’t need alot of responses (as in quantity), but an attentive, prepared response (as in quality).
Shannon says
I applaud Gates for his efforts and for the your article bringing up the issue. Personally, I don’t think it’s an educational system failing as much as I would say it’s a familial failing, no matter the ethnicity. I know that’s not popular to say but if you want change then it’s families you have to help. Families years ago had a lot of tough economic and social issues as well but they valued education. They went to exhausting efforts to see that their children were educated despite their hardships. Families have it tough today but until they make it a familial priority, taking precedence over anything else, then it won’t matter how many computers you put into the school room.
Daisy says
I do not have kids but I have recommended books to my sister who has a 5yr old son. Tavis Smiley had a great piece on PBS the other night “Too Important to Fail”. I want to read Dr. Steve Perry’s new book about education as well.
Fbennett83 says
Let me put this as calmly as I can without erupting. During the Civil Rights Movement we were fighting for something we could not have! A denied right. But today there is no real future to fight for! The teachers know it, and the students know it. For twelve years the students are baby sat an or processed for the penal system. The ones that do make it to the higher educational level are bombarded with credit card offers that help them go in debt on top of the higher educational debt — they must pay for the knowledge they never received. Ok now they graduate in debt, and stressed because they’ve got to pay off student loans. Guess what that glorified education cannot land a job to sustain their needs. Or worst yet their are no jobs that will pay higher than a twelfth grade education. No matter how much you dream if there no system to sustain it — why try!
Briana Myricks says
From my experience, the parents who are outraged have the kids who aren’t suffering. The kids who are suffering are going through so much at home they couldn’t possibly be focusing on school. Moms working 20 hour days or missing in action at the club. Dads who don’t want to be bothered if they’re around at all. Then there’s the parents who just figure the kids are the school’s problems. It has to be a joint effort. Teachers who give a damn + parents who give a damn. No good parents? Mentors who give a damn. It’s a struggle. I would love to do something but sadly when you try to advocate for issues like this, you find people who have their priorities all messed up and want you to get out of their way.
Teacher'sDaughter says
another choir mouse in the house!
==> regarding “you find people who have their priorities all messed up and want you to get out of their way.”
“… want you to get out of their way.” “… want you to get out of their way.”
Jane says
I don’t understand this assumption that we aren’t outraged. Whoever thinks we aren’t is clearly unaware of the huge trend towards homeschooling and the proliferation of homeschool support programs in our communities throughout the country…and they are clearly also unfamiliar with any of the work of our great scholar and ancestor, Amos Wilson, and his prophetic foresight about this current state of educational collapse for us in this contracting economy.
RonnieTyler says
I agree with Jane..perhaps the question should be why aren’t MORE black people outraged!!! Because I know that there are black parents that are outraged, I know that there are black parents that are taking an interest and taking action…..working in the PTAs…helping with homework…. but we need more.
If we don’t have the resources, then we do what we did in the past …..we work together until we get the resources…. and yes that will be hard….but that’s what we have to do if we want change.
We need more mentors for underprivileged kids….so that we can expose them and perhaps their parents to more possibilities… perhaps then there will be more outrage.
Papa Lemon Books says
Excellent dialogue. I believe numerous people are upset about this situation, however, its not discussed enough in the media. What if more African American magazines, newspapers & radio stations had regularly scheduled stories/columns & information sessions about “Improving African American Education”? It’s almost important to consider not criticizing the families & youth who are not achieving. They need LOVE & guidance from as many people as possible–mentors, educated family members, church leaders, community leaders, etc. We also need more solutions that make Education FUN. I have faith this trend of challenging education achievement for African American students WILL change. It will take time, however, somehow someway more & more people will focus on this issue.
trex says
Some would have you to believe it takes a village to raise a child. It takes TWO parents to raise a child!
It takes two concern, involved and committed parents to raise well-adjusted articulate children.
Gather an entire neighborhood of likeminded individuals and you have the raw ingredients for a great community school. Get an entire city to sign on to educational excellence and you have the making of an outstanding school system.
Schools and educational systems simply reflect the culture of it members.
Find a community with solid homeownership, solid marriages and lots of two parent households and you’ll find Good schools there. The greater the parents expectations the greater the schools are at educating.
On the otherhand, fine a community with lots of renters and people shacking up and you will find a lot of apathy. The lack of committment in one area usually reflects in others.
Outrage.!??? There was non in the City of Detroit – Ground Zero for urban educational disfuntion, the first day of school when only 55% of 80,000 students showed up for class. Think about it. 36,000 students didn’t show up for schools on the first day of class. Most of these children live in home conditions that would make your stomach turn.
You can build new buildings, hire the best teachers, implement stellar programs and non of it will make any differnce if the children won’t show up.
I’m sorry people, non of this will change until we learn to love ourselves and commit to one the other.Only then will we pass that love and devotion to our children. When we learn to love and comnmitt to one the other and trust one another (or at the minimum – repect on another) in our community only then will we prosper.
GoddessCeCe says
Why does homeownership really impact our educational system? I really agreed with you at first but then you just started getting offensive. My parents were never married. They were together long enough to create me and my brother but they were both equally devoted to our education. We lived in apartments. We couldn’t afford to buy a house but we still had our parents, cousins, grandparents, Hell we even had a few drug dealers and gang bangers who were vested in the education of the kids on the block. They would take the time to sit down and check homework if mama and daddy were working to late, ask what we learned in each class everyday and give us each a dollar if we could answer which made kids that wouldn’t usually pay attention in school pay attention and do a lot better.
So yes it does essentially as you described take a village. But that village does not have to be homeowners and married folks. It just takes concerned adults. How the system is now doesn’t work. Many of these homeowners are complaining because they don’t have a child in the first in any body’s school. Some are complaining and get their taxes back because their children are receiving a private education. The funding of schools needs an overhaul, our entire education system needs and overhaul. Many of the people you describe as apathetic really aren’t but they are brushed off because people like you categorized them that way and won’t even listen to what they have to say. Just like the people who fit into your doing right category are being ignored as well. The very educators who are in the classroom with these kids day in and out are being ignored so don’t just put it on “renters and folks shacking up”.
The whole Detroit thing is a damn shame though. But that also comes from kids not wanting to be in a place where they feel unwanted. If the school is not up to par doesn’t have enough books and desks and the teachers have basically become apathetic and just there for the pay check the students won’t thrive. Did you know that the past few years schools have been turning away students that do not do well on standardized tests so that the schools stats don’t drop? That could be part of the problem too. Did you not just read about the two or three women who just this year and last got arrested for sending their kids to better schools? Yes those women care about their children’s education and are facing probation and jail time for it. So don’t lump those who can’t afford to live as you do as uncaring because they do care just as much as you do.
GoddessCeCe says
Why does homeownership really impact our educational system? I really agreed with you at first but then you just started getting offensive. My parents were never married. They were together long enough to create me and my brother but they were both equally devoted to our education. We lived in apartments. We couldn’t afford to buy a house but we still had our parents, cousins, grandparents, Hell we even had a few drug dealers and gang bangers who were vested in the education of the kids on the block. They would take the time to sit down and check homework if mama and daddy were working to late, ask what we learned in each class everyday and give us each a dollar if we could answer which made kids that wouldn’t usually pay attention in school pay attention and do a lot better.
So yes it does essentially as you described take a village. But that village does not have to be homeowners and married folks. It just takes concerned adults. How the system is now doesn’t work. Many of these homeowners are complaining because they don’t have a child in the first in any body’s school. Some are complaining and get their taxes back because their children are receiving a private education. The funding of schools needs an overhaul, our entire education system needs and overhaul. Many of the people you describe as apathetic really aren’t but they are brushed off because people like you categorized them that way and won’t even listen to what they have to say. Just like the people who fit into your doing right category are being ignored as well. The very educators who are in the classroom with these kids day in and out are being ignored so don’t just put it on “renters and folks shacking up”.
The whole Detroit thing is a damn shame though. But that also comes from kids not wanting to be in a place where they feel unwanted. If the school is not up to par doesn’t have enough books and desks and the teachers have basically become apathetic and just there for the pay check the students won’t thrive. Did you know that the past few years schools have been turning away students that do not do well on standardized tests so that the schools stats don’t drop? That could be part of the problem too. Did you not just read about the two or three women who just this year and last got arrested for sending their kids to better schools? Yes those women care about their children’s education and are facing probation and jail time for it. So don’t lump those who can’t afford to live as you do as uncaring because they do care just as much as you do.