While in loco parentis in our public schools originally controlled students, if the Charleston County School District wishes to narrow the achievement gap between the races, it must expand its reach to their parents. Resources devoted to what the edublob now calls "under-resourced" students must dwarf those for the "over-resourced." Yet the district must come to grips with the role of parents if more than minimal progress is to be made. Too often, the elephant in the room is ignored.
Why are Superintendent Postlewait and the Charleston County School Board and the Post and Courier ignoring the elephant?
It's not politically correct to point out that the child's parents frequently aid and abet the "under-resourcing."
Let's be realistic for a change. Many poor (in more ways that one!) students have poorly-educated parents, a result of decades of failing schools. Some single parents (not all!) are so distracted by financial problems and poor health that sufficient attention is lacking. What about fathers (and/or) mothers in prison or daily drugged out? Grandparents lacking the energy to keep on top of what the children they must raise are getting into? Neighborhood cultures (and gangs) jeering at achieving students for "acting white." that is, acting middle-class.
We can never erase every factor dragging down the achievement of these children, but the school district must explore avenues regarding parental care that will put them back on the playing field.
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