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Education. . . the Civil Rights Issue of our generation (946 hits)

President-elect Barack Obama recently announced Arne Duncan, the head of the Chicago school system, as Education Secretary, and declared that failing to improve classroom instruction is "morally unacceptable for our children." Among the initiatives supported by the President-elect is a commitment to double the funding for Charter Schools.

"No issue is more pressing than education. ... It is the civil rights issue of our generation," Duncan said in brief remarks.

One of the significant obsevations about the progress we have made as a people since the dawn of the Civil Rights movement is the state of education among African American children. The gap in performance in urban schools is characterized by high dropout rates, low performance on standardized tests, and lack of preparedness for the workforce. Young Black men represent the highest unemployment rates, and lowest in attendance and graduation from college. What can be done to reverse the trends that are alarming to everyone?

"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

I have volunteered to lead a fundraising drive for the Joseph Littles NGUZO SABA Charter School in West Palm Beach, Florida. This school will celebrate its 10th Anniversary of operations on January 20, 2009 -- the day that we inaugurate the first African American President.

This charter school is a model for others across the nation that have embraced AFRICAN-CENTERED EDUCATION based on the Nguzo Saba principles. These schools have succeeded in raising performance, improving conduct, and engaging parents and communities in improvng education outcomes where Public Schools have failed African American children.

I invite your comments and feedback about the education crisis we are facing. More importantly, I request that you consider making a donation to support the continued operation of this school. Any amount is acceptable. Your contribution will help fund a model of success that can be repeated across the nation and reverse the trends of hopelessness, and provide a foundation for meaningful participation in our society.

Visit this link to make a secure online donation:
http://www.izania.com/Support-African-Cent...

Whatever you can do to help is appreciated. The only unacceptable response is to do nothing.

Roger Madison
www.izania.com

Posted By: Roger E Madison Jr
Monday, December 22nd 2008 at 10:47PM
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I think one of the number one civil rights issues pertaining to education has more to do with the fact that our children are not being taught to learn, but are taught to pass a test. This coupled with the lack of parental participation, not because these parents don't want to be (yes we will always have that 1%) many have to decide between having enough in the paycheck for the food, rent and other bills or losing time off the job to attend many of the activities.

I thank you also for this blog, in my opinion, Education is the key out of poverty.
Tuesday, December 23rd 2008 at 5:35PM
Marquerite Burgess

Isaac and marquette, Thanks for your thoughtful respnses. Tere are many issues that contribute to the progress of our community. This is one example of parents who are fed up and doing something about the future of their children. The very concept of Charter Schools, however, requires external fundsfrom community supporters. That becomes a double challenge for parents in poor communities. They know they must seek positive alternatives to failing public schools, but they don't have the financial resources to provide the exras that help the drive toward excellence. so, they must depend on external sources of funds.

The African Centered Schools based on the Nguzo Saba princples can become a movement for change that embraces parental and community involvement for success. The successful local models eed the virtual community to support their success. Thanks for any support you are able to give. Visit http://www.izania.com/Support-African-Cent... to see more input from parents, staff and students.
Wednesday, December 24th 2008 at 2:53AM
Roger E Madison Jr