With Good Reason

Cynics Unlimited has written an excellent follow up to the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) historically regressive decision last night to approve the offering of segregated programs and a blacks-only high school to open in the fall of 2009.

I will not call it a black-focused school today because that is the politically correct wording of a decision that everyone involved in this decision will come to regret. How can anything be visionary or focused when it is born of such misunderstanding, anger and hate?Normally, when parents “choose” a certain type of school for their children, a completely different attitude is present.  Rather than repeat what Cynapse has written, read what he said about last night’s board meeting.

What is interesting and unfortunate is that all day the television was reporting the board event and referring to the fact that the reason so many black youth were dropping out was the “system’s” fault, that it was the “system” that had somehow failed them. If that were true, most if not all black youth would be dropping out but that simply isn’t the case.  In fact, my assumption is that the majority of black youth are doing very well.  A system does not fail a child. The child fails in the system. While politically incorrect to say that, it is reality.  

So, why is it that most Toronto black youth succeed in school while a minority do not? Well, here is a link to a wonderful website on “What Makes Kids Succeed in School?” And, no surprise, the biggest ingredient is positive parental support, parental involvement and parents as “role models.” Author Julie Williams says, based on the findings of two renowned researchers, there are Ten hallmarks for children who succeed in school.

For example, children who succeed in school:

1. Are eager to learn;
2. Pursue learning, asking questions and seeking help;
3. Put effort into their work;
4. Use solid emotional and social skills;
5. Have an accurate view of their own knowledge and skills;
6. Look to parents as role models for learning;
7. Have homes that promote learning by natural teaching;
8. Follow helpful family routines;
9. Know that rules count;
10. Attend schools with high expectations, strong and effective staff development and good communication about kids’ progress.

And, most important of all, even when children are struggling, positive parental role models and involvement is the key to a positive self-image.

Isn’t that what this Toronto situation is all about? Is it the “system” that is to blame for youth dropping out of school too soon? Or, are the students themselves partly to blame, not because of their colour or culture, but because they do not have any or few of the hallmarks for successful learning? Or, most important of all , what is the role the parents play in a youth’s decision to drop out?

Political explosive questions for sure but ones that need to be truthfully answered by  those in society who find such truth difficult to admit. The TDSB just made a historically regressive decision that will not have any positive outcomes no matter how the authorities try to rig the results. Who then will be blamed when that becomes obvious?

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Note: C/P at Crux-of-the-Matter and Jack’s Newswatch.