Will Okun is a Chicago high school teacher whose column about his inner-city school appears regularly in the New York Times. His personal observations about what goes on in an inner-city classroom and school makes a good argument for rescuing those kids who do desire to learn by providing them with other options.
Will’s colum can be viewed here and it’s well worth the read: http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/25/the-mire/index.html
He makes the argument for charter schools.
He says: “I do not blame parents for wanting to surround their children with other children and parents who give education top priority. As her teacher, I wish motivated students like Shatara could attend a charter school where her desire would be the norm and not an aberration. At a charter school, Shatara would probably not have to share a classroom with students whose only interest in school is chaos, money and the opposite sex. She would not be surrounded by failing students actively pressuring their classmates to also denounce academic achievement. She would not have to wait in frustration as a teacher explains the coursework to students who are beginning the class five weeks into the ten-week quarter. More importantly, I believe that Shatara would flourish as a student and as a person in an encouraging and hopeful school community that still believes education is the foundation for a successful future.”
(emphsasis added)
And how exactly are you an expert on inner-city schools?
When was the last time you attended or taught at one?
I’m not, which is why I cited an article from someone who has taught at one and writes about it frequently in The New York Times. (did you even read my blog?)
Also, are you not courageous enough to leave a comment that is not from “anonymous”?