Learning While Black: Creating Educational Excellence for African American Children by Janice E. Hale

Learning While Black
Creating Educational Excellence for African American Children

Janice E. Hale
with a foreword by V.P. Franklin

In Learning While Black Janice Hale argues that educators must look beyond the cliches of urban poverty and teacher training to explain the failures of public education with regard to black students. Why, Hale asks simply, are black students not being educated as well as white students?

Hale goes beyond finger pointing to search for solutions. Closing the achievement gap of African American children, she writes, does not involve better teacher training or more parental involvement. The solution lies in the classroom, in the nature of the interaction between the teacher and the child. And the key, she argues, is the instructional vision and leadership provided by principals. To meet the needs of diverse learners, the school must become the heart and soul of a broad effort, the coordinator of tutoring and support services provided by churches, service clubs, fraternal organizations, parents, and concerned citizens. Calling for the creation of the "beloved community" envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Hale outlines strategies for redefining the school as the Family, and the broader community as the Village, in which each child is too precious to be left behind.

"In this book, I am calling for the school to improve traditional instructional practices and create culturally salient instruction that connects African American children to academic achievement. The instruction should be so delightful that the children love coming to school and find learning to be fun and exciting."—Janice Hale

Janice E. Hale is professor of early childhood education at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She is the founder of Visions for Children, a demonstration school designed to facilitate the intellectual development of African American preschool children. Her two previous books, Black Children: Their Roots, Culture, and Learning Styles and Unbank the Fire: Visions for the Education of African American Children, are also available from Johns Hopkins.

Minneapolis Public Schools Educational Equity Framework

Minneapolis Public School Educational Equity Framework

Theory of Action 

This MPS Educational Equity Framework has been developed through the effort, ideas and expertise of more than 50 people representing diverse roles, experiences, expertise, and perspectives within the district and greater community. 

In order to meet the needs of underrepresented students and their families, we must: 

- recognize personal and collective responsibility 

- aim for true transformational change

- leverage a pedagogy of equity

- utilize equity and diversity impact assessments 

- engage families as partners in education

- ensure equitable practices in operations

- maintain alignment with both the district mission and the strategic plan

Together, we can overcome persistent and predictable system barriers to racial equity and create an equitable educational system.

This is a 35 page document.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Theory of Action 
Medicine Wheel Metaphorical Meaning 
What and Why  
Purpose 
Student Emphasis 
Areas of Focus: Big Levers 
Alignment with Acceleration 2020 
The Big Picture and Ultimate Goal  
Systemic Change Barriers 
How We Will Use this Framework 
Contact for Information  

Pedagogy of Equity 
   Vision, Definition and Beliefs 
   Implementation Goals and Action Plan  
Equity and Diversity Impact Assessment 
   Vision, Definition and Beliefs 
   Implementation Goals and Action Plan 
   EDIA (Equity and Diversity Impact Assessment)Tools and Process 
Families as Education Partners 
   Vision Definition and Beliefs 
   Implementation Goals and Action Plan 
Equity in Operations 
   Vision, Definition and Beliefs 
   Implementation Goals and Action Plan  

Appendix A: Implementation Resources Needed 
Appendix B: Contributors 
Appendix C: Research and Resources 

MPS Educational Equity Framework Executive Summary

The Will to Lead, the Skill to Teach: Transforming Schools at Every Level by Anthony Muhammad and Sharroky Hollie

The Will to Lead, the Skill to Teach: Transforming Schools at Every Level 

by Anthony Muhammad and Sharroky Hollie

176 pages Publisher: Solution Tree

School improvement begins with self-examination and honest dialogue about socialization, bias, discrimination, and cultural insensitivity. In The Will to Lead, the Skill to Teach, the authors acknowledge both the structural and sociological issues that contribute to low-performing schools, and describe how leaders can create a healthy school culture. They offer multiple strategies and activities to improve classroom management, increase literacy, establish academic vocabulary, and create an engaging learning environment.

After making a distinction between a staff's will--that is, their belief in all students' abilities along with their determination to make student learning and success a schoolwide priority and a staff's skill their use of quality, responsive methods and activities--the authors submit that healthy school cultures grow out of a marriage of the two.

Examine four broad steps to developing a positive learning environment (aligning philosophies, managing frustration, creating a culture of collaboration, and institutionalizing a healthy culture) and uncover the components of responsive pedagogy--a skillful and balanced framework of traditional and culturally responsive activities used in the classroom.

Benefits

* Reflect on current practices and identify areas for improvement.

* Spot the factors that can be harmful to school cultures.

* Identify your school as high will/low skill, high skill/low will, low will/low skill, or high will/high skill.

* Develop a blueprint for achieving skilled pedagogy and successful school improvement.

* Gain practical classroom management strategies and activities.

Educational Equity: Examples of School Equity Policies in the United States

Minneapolis Public Schools Policy 1304 Equity and Diversity

RACIAL EQUITY POLICY BRIEF 16 Solutions that Deliver Equity and Excellence in Education By Jermaine Toney and Hillary Rodgers

Portland Public Schools Racial Educational Policy

ENSURING EDUCATIONAL AND RACIAL EQUITY - Seattle Public Schools

Bellevue School District Equity Department

Bloomington Public Schools Office of Educational Equity

Hopkins School District - Equity Strategy Framework

Portland Public Schools Racial Equity Plan (DRAFT)

Vision and Mission for Equity and Diversity in Our School/District - Nebraska Department of Education

A Promise to Act: Educational Equity and Excellence for All of Our Children - Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe leaders, Isle Schools, Nay Ah Shing Schools, Onamia Schools, Wewinabi Early Childhood Program, and Central Lakes College 

Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC) - Ensuring Equity in Education

Denver Public Schools - Definitions Helpful to Understand Equity and Inclusion in Education

How Does Your Organization Define Equity? Education Funding Advisory Board - Illinois State Board of Education

Saint Paul Public Schools Policy - Racial Equity

REIMAGINING EQUITY AND DIVERSITY: A Framework for Transforming the University of Minnesota

Growth Mindset

The Two Mindsets: Cultural Competency by Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee

What’s Missing from the Conversation: The Growth Mindset in Cultural Competency by Rosetta Lee

Fixed vs. Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

Promoting Racial Literacy in Schools: Differences That Make a Difference by Howard C. Stevenson

Promoting Racial Literacy in Schools: Differences That Make a Difference 

by Howard C. Stevenson 

240 pages Publisher: Teachers College Press (December 20, 2013)

Based on extensive research, this provocative volume explores how schools are places where racial conflicts often remain hidden at the expense of a healthy school climate and the well-being of students of color. Most schools fail to act on racial micro-aggressions because the stress of negotiating such conflicts is extremely high due to fears of incompetence, public exposure, and accusation. Instead of facing these conflicts head on, schools perpetuate a set of avoidance or coping strategies. The author of this much-needed book uncovers how racial stress undermines student achievement. Students, educators, and social service support staff will find workable strategies to improve their racial literacy skills to read, recast, and resolve racially stressful encounters when they happen.
Book Features:
* A model that applies culturally relevant behavioral stress management strategies to problem-solve racial stress in schools.
* Examples demonstrating workable solutions relevant within predominantly White schools for students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
* Measurable outcomes and strategies for developing racial literacy skills that can be integrated into the K-12 curriculum and teacher professional development.
Teaching and leadership skills that will create a more tolerant and supportive school environment for all students.

See inside here.

200+ Education Strategies to Teach Children of Color by Jawanza Kunjufu

200+ Education Strategies to Teach Children of Color 

200 pages, Publisher: African American Images (November 1, 2009) $14.95 

With an emphasis on pragmatic approaches that can be accomplished in the classroom, this almanac of teaching solutions provides inner-city educators with 100 all-new strategies to daily challenges. As turnover rates remain excessively high among teachers in urban schools—83 percent of whom are white females who were ill-prepared by their college programs—the type of firsthand experience offered by this helpful manual continues to be an essential source of training. The advice and expertise presented is fully supported by real-life examples rather than intangible theory, and the details directly tackle issues of race and class while offering a legitimate criticism of the American school system that poses many of the problems that teachers face.

Look inside here.

“You don’t teach the way you want to teach, you teach 

the way your children learn. You must adjust your pedagogy.”

- Jawanza Kunjufu

There is Nothing Wrong with Black Students by Jawanza Kunjufu

There is Nothing Wrong with Black Students 128 pages, $12.95

Publisher: African American Images (February 24, 2012)

Refuting common ideas about the racial achievement gap, this exploration of the education system posits that the gap is not the result of the students, their parents, or the larger community, but rather stems from the limited effectiveness of the schools they attend. With a focus on what principals and teachers can do, this instructive resource explores ways that schools can change in order to better serve the needs of these students, such as gaining a better understanding of different learning styles, implementing a curriculum that is more relevant to students’ lives, focusing on the amount of time each task takes each student, and experimenting with single-gender classrooms. This book also looks at examples of the success of black students in schools that have taken the time to apply some of these policies, demonstrating that any student can thrive when benefited with a passionate and comprehensive education.

Read pages here.

What Great Teachers Do Differently: 17 Things That Matter Most by Todd Whitaker

          What Great Teachers Do Differently: 17 Things That Matter Most 

          144 pages Publisher: Routledge; 2nd edition (November, 2011) $28.45

In the second edition of this renowned book, you will find pearls of wisdom, heartfelt advice, and inspiration from one of the nation’s leading authorities on staff motivation, teacher leadership, and principal effectiveness. With wit and understanding, Todd Whitaker describes the beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and interactions of great teachers and explains what they do differently. New features include:

·        Meaning what you say

·        Focusing on students first

·        Putting yourself in their position

Read some pages here.

Courageous Conversations About Race: A Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools by Glenn Singleton

 Courageous Conversations About Race: A Field Guide for 

Achieving Equity in Schools 

312 pages Publisher: Corwin; Second Edition (October 21, 2014) $36.95

Create a system wide plan for transforming the district office, schools, and classrooms into places that truly support ALL students achieving their highest levels!

This updated edition of the bestseller continues to explain the need for candid, courageous conversations about race so that educators may understand why achievement inequality persists and learn how they can develop a curriculum that promotes true educational equity and excellence.

·    Revised Courageous Conversation Compass

·    Racial autobiographies

·    Case study on St. Paul Public Schools, which has stayed on track with the Courageous Conversation protocol and framework

·    Links to video segments of the author describing the work

·    Activities and checklists for school and district leaders

·    Action and implementation steps

Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning: Classroom Practices for Student Success by Sharroky Hollie

          Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning

          216 pages Publisher: Shell Education (October 1, 2011) $24.95

Implement these strategies and suggestions to support culturally and linguistically diverse students. The five pedagogical areas addressed in this resource are Classroom Management, Use of Text, Academic Vocabulary, Situational Appropriateness, and Learning Environment.