Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 April 2005 — Page 6

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2005

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A6

EDUCATION DOES MATTER

\\ seems governor wants to destroy public schools

By LEROY ROBINSON There has been numerous education rallies taking place around the state to shed light on the fact that our current governor’s administration is set on reducing public education spending. School districts throughout the state are scrambling to adjust to the upcoming shortages in their school budgets. A freeze in hiring and teacher layoffs seem to be the immediate solution. Any person with an education background will tell you that teacher shortages lead to larger class sizes, which ultimately lead to less class time being spent on instruction. Sometimes I wonder if there is a movement to destroy the very fabric of what public school educators are attempting to do. We currently have a state administration that is set on making things more difficult for these educators and their march to the Statehouse aweekago overflowed with their frustrations. With the large turnout of educators, students, families, and community supporters, who oppose this reduction in funding for public schools, the governor continues on this course of action. Charter schools, select schools, school choice, and vouchers are all politically selective terms that are being used to undermine

and ultimately destroy public schools. Indeed, all students do not learn the same way, but as opposed to providing so many other options, why not correct and improve the low performing schools that we already have and provide them with the funding to do it? Regardless of what school some African-American students attend, many of them will be successful wherever they go. With the large turnout of AfricanAmerican families and educators that were present at the Madame Walker Theatre early this week for the Family Empowerment Forum, there is no doubt that we have some committed parents and educators ready to make a difference in the lives of our young people. Although there were only a few hundred families that attended the forum, when we know there are thousands upon thousands of African-American students failing in Marion County schools and the surrounding school districts, but this is a start. We started with a small percentage of dedicated parents and families and are confident that with African-Ameri-can student academic success, these numbers will grow. Many parents left the venue feeling empowered and excited about what the future holds. And to be clear, the Indianapolis Public Schools system is not the only district that has large numbers of African-American students who are struggling in the classroom.

African-American students are struggling in every school district in the area and are on the bottom of the achievement gap in Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville. School location and family income seem not to matter as much as one would think. High-income African-American students/families are also years behind in academic achievement to their high income white classmates and their families as well. Just because African Americans have higher incomes and can afford to send their students to better schools, on average, these African-American students are a part of the achievement gap as well. We have taken steps in an effort to close and eliminate this gap, recruiting dedicated parents and dedicated educators and empowering them both, which we have no doubt will lead to more and improved academic success for African-American students. Leroy Robinson is the author of the newly released books, Fall From Grace: The Family Crisis In Black America and Voluntary Servitude: Breakingthe Chains of Mental and Psychological Slavery, both of which can be ordered by contacting the author directly. For speaking engagements or education workshops, contact the columnist at: educationdoe [email protected] or write: 9701 E. 63rd St., Indianapolis, IN. 46236. For questions or comments, call (317) 502-0272.

Empowering the communit

Leroy Robinson (left), Lawrence Township teacher and Recorder columnist, introduces Debra Morrison (right), teacher at Guion Creek Middle School, at the Reaching African American Families and Achieving Student Academic Success forum held in the Madame Walker Theatre.

Right: Robinson speaks with the audience about key issues on empowering African American families and their children so

they can take control of their educational success and closing the achievement gap. (Photos/C. Guynn)

Wabash College

“I always like to say that what Wabash College taught me was how to learn. I think at Wabash there is some counseling and structure, but more than anything, Wabash provides a good and safe environment where you get an opportunity to figure things out for yourself. That ability has served me well throughout my life. ”

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