Doug Mann wrote: I don't agree that we will close the gap by going back to racially segregating the schools. When racial segregation in the schools was legally enforced (1890s to 1960s) some black students had access to high quality educational programs, but overall whites, and especially middle to upper class whites had much better access to high quality schools and academic programs. The process of racially segregating the school system that began in the 1890s reduced pressure on the political establishment to ensure that a high quality education is accessible to all on an equal basis.
We saw substantial progress toward closing the test score gap when the school system was moving away from color conscious and "colorblind" separation of students during the 1970s and early 1980s. That was a reflection of the pressure of a mobilized and militant civil rights movement, and the access to a quality public education was a high priority demand. What the Minneapolis school board supports is not a "new civil rights movement" but an anti-Civil Rights agenda. Mark Anderson asks: Doug, what are you talking about? I've heard lots of confusing discussion on the List as to what's happening and who's to blame, but I sure don't remember any suggestions that the school board wants to re-segregate our schools. My understanding of the discussion is that the layoffs in the district will require much reshuffling of teachers, as senior teachers bump lesser-tenured teachers into different schools and disciplines, which will cause many more changes than the initial 600 layoffs. And it is my understanding that this is mostly due to union rules, so I don't understand why people blame the school board for that. I also remember, Doug, that you suggested that the board laid off double the number of teachers that they needed to. You seem to think that the board has some Machiavellian scheme in mind when they did this. Maybe you are right, but your explanation of this scheme went over my head, and I suspect most of the other folks on the List. Is that related to your comment on the "anti-Civil rights agenda?" I have two kids in the public schools and am a taxpayer, so I have a real concern about what's going on, but so far I am more confused than enlightened by most of the postings I've seen here. I ask everyone on the List to try to explain a little more what they are talking about before they start assigning blame. Thanks Mark V Anderson Bancroft REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
