Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 September 2005 — Page 2

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2005

LAWMAKERS ► Continued from Page 1 parities in that area over the last few years. Dr. Rickie Keys, president of the National Institute to Combat Health Disparities, said he knows the numbers are alarming, but emphasized that it underscores the need for serious change in the way many African Americans maintain their health. “Sometimes you have to scare people to draw attention to important issues,” he said. “It’s good to be caring, but we also have to give people incentive and motivation to do what needs to be done for the changes that will give them a better quality of life.” “The word and message to parents and children alike is that you’ve got to exercise more often and stop consuming food and drinks that are not good for you,” added Brown. “Diabetes is creeping up on our children because many of them have a lifestyle of junk food, computers and video games and not enough exercise. All ofthis has to be reversed so that we are able to enjoy and appreciate the next generation.” Some of the solutions recommended by the IBLC’S Indiana Health Disparities Initiative include raising awareness of health disparities and disease prevention among

the general public, increasing patient knowledge about the best treatment options, raising the number of underrepresented minorities in the health care industry, offering incentive to medical practices that reduce disparities and encouraging individuals to make healthy choices and eat smaller portions of food. Brown also encourages the business community to take a more active role in the situation to ensure that ahealthy workforce is available well into the future. Education The IBLC’s meeting on education (facilitated by Rep. Gregory Porter, D-Indianapolis, Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, and Sen. Billie Breaux, D-Indianapolis) focused on a persistent and stubborn disparity gap in academic achievement and what urban school districts in Indiana are doing about them. An achievement gap is the percentage points by which Black and Latino students passing ISTEP exams trail whites. In 2004, the gap on the ISTEP exam for Black students was 22 percent in English and 26.1 percent on math (the rates for Latinos were 16.7 percent and 14.1 percent, respectively.) The one minority group that

scored higher than the others is Asians, who exceeded whites by 17.1 percent on English and 10.7percent on math. Presenters noted that achievement gaps of various percentages exist in every state, and students within the gap are simply not succeeding in school. Lack of success in school is associated with poor attendance, disciplinary problems and unhappiness in school. The education report, issued jointly by the IBLC and the Indiana Urban Schools Association (IUSA), also showed that of 1,831 schools in Indiana, 59 percent made Annual Yearly Progress (AYP), while an unacceptable 41 percent did not. Of the 229 schools in the so-called “Big Five” corporations (IPS, Fort Wayne, Gary, Evansville and South Bend) only 33 percent made AYP, 67 percent did not. On a positive note, the IUSA reported that most K-12 schools have accepted the challenge of closing the achievement gap and significant gains were shown an ISTEP testing from 2002 to 2004 in urban districts. Some recommendations for closing Indiana’s achievement gap included getting state government to commit to taking steps needed to close it, provide additional tutoring and assistance to students performing below grade level, implement full-day kindergarten, identifythose who are behind as early as age 3 and provide pre-kindergarten experiences and ensure that nutritional/ health care needs so important in cognitive development are met. “Until the commitment and the investment are made, improvement will come at the margins,” IUSA members wrote in a j oint statement. “And much of the talk of closing the gap, reducing dropouts and graduating students prepared to succeed is simply empty rhetoric.”

Reporter wanted The Indianapolis Recorder is currently accepting resumes for a full-time writing position. Potential candidates must have strong written and oral communication skills, effectively adhere to deadlines, and the ability to multitask. Applicants should have a college degree or its equivalent. Interested individuals can send resumes, salary requirements and clippings to Recorder EditorShannon Williams at The Indianapolis Recorder office, 2901N. TacomaAve. Indianapolis, IN 46218 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary addresses attendees at the forum on medical issues. He said businesses should take a more active role in helping to resolve growing health care problems. (Photo/S. Williams)

The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper Pre Classic Kick off Party

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