Tag: Students

Sep 20 2017

Necessary Blackness Ep. 37: Helping Inmates Get “Free On The Inside”

 

Necessary Blackness Podcast sit down with Jen Nicole to talk about the compelling story of Eccentrich Richardson, who is a poet, writer and cultural-arts programmer in Pompano Beach, Fla., who somehow finds the time to save the world in her spare time. Her “Free on the Inside” program goes inside Florida’s toughest prisons and helps inmates find beauty, power and, hopefully, themselves.

Facing a decade and a half in prison couldn’t stop her. Losing a loved one to suicide didn’t destroy her. Battling loss and pain while raising three children was not enough to make her quit.

We also discuss the story about a mom, who became angered about students who wrists were taped and placed in a dark room to experience the trauma of slavery. We discussed the pros and cons of such experiment and if it has a place in today’s classroom.

Resource: Huffington Post

                    The Root

 

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Aug 29 2016

Kindergartners are Being Suspended for Calling Out Answers During Class

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Annually, approximately 3 million students, most of whom are in high school, receive out-of-school suspensions. However, more and more children in preschool or kindergarten are being sent home as punishment for infractions that would make you raise your eyebrows.

In a PBS NewsHour Special, John Merrow discusses suspensions within the Success Charter School Network in New York City, which started in 2006 and now consists of 34 schools, most of which are elementary schools. The network employs the “no excuses” model of educating, which means that teachers are held responsible for students doing well in school. The network refuses to accept excuses why a student does not do well—not hunger, sickness, or even violence within the home.

At Success Academy Prospect Heights, students have a list of 65 infractions that they must not commit. These infractions range from serious offenses like bullying and down to something as simple as “failing to be in a ready-for-success position,” whatever that means. Students are also not allowed to get out of their seats unless they have permission, nor can they call out an answer without raising their hand. All of these offenses can quickly lead to suspension.

 

via: YourBlackWorld

 

Apr 10 2016

Texas Teacher Arrested After Video Shows Her Repeatedly Hitting Student

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BEAUMONT, Texas —A high school math teacher is facing an assault charge after video surfaced of her hitting a student at least five times in class.

CBS affiliate KFDM reported Mary A. Hastings, a 63-year-old geometry teacher at Ozen High School, was arrested and has been placed on paid leave.

The cellphone video, recorded by a classmate, shows Hastings swiping papers off the student’s desk then slapping him five times.

SEE VIDEO HERE

Hastings, who appears exasperated, scolds the student for being a disruption. She hit the student while saying, “…because you’re stopping him from graduating you idiot [expletive].”

The student who recorded the footage told KFDM the incident happened Friday morning. It was unclear exactly what provoked Hastings to strike the student.

“BISD does not condone employees abusing any child and will not tolerate such conduct,” Beaumont Independent School District spokeswoman Nakisha Burns said in a statement. “The teacher was immediately removed from the classroom and placed on administrative leave pending action on her contract.”

Hastings was booked into the Jefferson County jail on a misdemeanor count of assault. She posted $2,500 bond and was later released on a $2,500 bond.

She has taught in the district for three years, according to KFDM.

Sep 04 2014

EXCLUSIVE: 90 City Schools Failed To Pass A Single Black or Hispanic on State Test

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Dozens of public schools across the city failed to pass even a single black or Hispanic student on this year’s state math or reading exams, a new analysis shows.

Pro-charter school group Families for Excellent Schools found no black or Hispanic kids passed the standardized tests based on the more stringent Common Core standards at 90 schools with diverse student bodies.

Families for Excellent Schools CEO Jeremiah Kittredge said the study’s findings should shock the city Education Department into taking fresh action to help struggling students.

“It’s time for bold and transformational change,” said Kittredge. “We need to acknowledge that this is not the fault of children — it’s the fault of our system.”

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