Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 December 2001 — Page 3

.PRIDAV, DECEMBER 14, 2001

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A3

Black legislators release study to improve education in urban schools

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By MASHAUN D. SIMON

Special to the NNPA

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ATLANTA — Education is still separate and unequal in o many urban school districtswcross the nation, according »“Closing the Achievement Gap: Improving Educational lutcomes for African American Children,” a study repased by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. ! Created in 1977, the group is comprised of more than 600 Sjlack elected officials representing an estimated 45 states, the group recently held its annual conference in Atlanta, i According to the report, compiled and released by JBCSL’s Committee on Elementary and Secondary Eduation, its goals are to focus national attention on balancing { ehievement levels between Black and white students. If children are to succeed they must be strong in math, inglish and science, said committee chair, Sen. C. J.

Ventiss (Ohio).

“However, according to 1999 statistics from the United •States Department of Education, the math skills of an . average African-American 17-year-old are equivalent to a Caucasian 13-year-old,” she said.

There are a variety of conditions that can be attributed to AfricarrAmericans’ lack of skills, according to the NBCSL report ’‘They include limited financial resources, overcrowded classes and a shortage of qualified teachers in urban school systems. “For the past 25 years we have concentrated on building our legacy and charting a course of action for the future." said NBCSL president Rep. James L. Thomas (Ala). "There is a growing disparity in the way children of poor and colored communities in this nation are being educated. It is our responsibility as state representatives to step forward as an organization and issue our findings to influence some form of change and equality." And don't count on vouchers to solve the problem, says the NBCSL, who oppose the practice because of the "braindrain” it has on urban school systems when bright AfricanAmerican students are bused out of their respective home schools to other districts. The NBCSL suggests that those who support vouchers create legislation that would mandate: • Open access for all students and an array of effective programs to serve the needs of all students. • The same accountability standards for voucher schools

as for public schools, including fiscal responsibility • Vouchers schools are cost effective. The NBCSL also recommends a limit on federal and state money given tocharter schools until more comprehensive data is collected on charter school operations. A newly allowed practice in Georgia and other states, charter schools are not subject to the same standards as traditional public schools and in some cases, are able to fashion their ow n curriculum independent of their respective state's while reaping state and private dollars. Other NBCSL recommendations for urban school systems include generating funds to make class sizes smaller, improving teacher quality, funding prevention-interven-tion programs and putting more money into low-income public schools. "If we solidify high quality education for African-Ameri-can students, we will surely affect the direction of change,” said Prentiss. "W.E.B. DuBois once said the problem with America is the colored problem. Forty-seven years after Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka. Kan., we now face similar inequities faced then. We must address these challenges."

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Bush, White House snub Black Caucus

‘Disappointed’

chair sends fourth letter

By HAZEL TRICE EDNEY

NNPA Washington

Correspondent

meetings on various issues, including the U.S. policy towards Haiti, the war on terrorism, the economic stimulus package, unemployment

and civil liberties.

The CBC has an upcoming meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell, the second with him this year. But Bush hasn’t met with the

President Bush and his White CBC since shortly after his inauHouse staff are apparently ignor- guration last January, ing the Congressional Black Cau- Johnson reminded Bush of his /jus and its chairwoman, who have own words to reporters after that 'Sent four letters requesting meet- meeting: “This will be the beginings with him since Sept. 21. ning of, hopefully, a lot of meet“I am again writing you to re- ings. I hope you come back, and quest a meeting between you and I’ll certainly be inviting,” he said, t the members of the Congressional calling it “an important part of my .Black Caucus (CBC),” said the job...totalktoeverybodywhoisin .most recent letter to Bush from the legislative body.” , .tBC Chair Eddie Bernice Johnson, But, much has changed since D-Texas. “I am extremely disap- the early days of the Bush adminispointed that we have not heard any tration. wben he w^s struggling )o J ‘ rtsponse 'frqm you, your Lejpsta- . 'y/iptjiipppii.fronjBlackpeppIe who * J live Affairs Office or your Sched- hatl voted against him 9 to 1. Now. ^uling Office on when such a meet- because of fear over terrorism.

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The closely kept letter, dated criticism and his general approval Nlov. 29, was forwarded exclu- rating has soared above 85 percent. . sively to NNPA by the office of Only days before Sept. 11, CBC 'Congressman Bennie Thompson, members were lambasting the D-Miss., one of the 38-member president for withdrawing the U.S. • caucus. It represents a new level of from the World Conference ^ost Sept. 11 discourse from the Against Racism in Durban, South caucus, which has been relatively Africa. Shortly after the attacks, , quiet since the early days after the several CBC members, including terrorist attacks. Johnson, freely characterized anti- .., White House Spokeswoman American sentiment abroad as a Mercedes Viana said she would response to American arrogance, check with the president’s sched- Despite controversy, the CBC i) ulingstaffbeforeansweringNNPA has consistently reached out to questions about the letters. communicate as Johnson i ndicated Chiding the president, Johnson in the latest letter, “Mr. President, M wrote that she and the caucus ha ve the American people expect us to ..sent three previous letters, ones work together, and the Congres.dated Sept. 21 and Oct. 12 from sional Black Caucus is willing to Johnson, and one dated Nov. 8 work with this administration.”

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