However, I recently read a book recommended to me by someone on this blog –Unequal childhoods: Class, Race and Family Life — and it fit our school EXACTLY. They could have been interviewing families from OUR school for the book and had the same response. Basically, parents who are poor do not believe it is there responsibility to help their children succeed. They believe it is the responsibility of professionals, such as teachers and principals.

Poor parents / guardians often do not participate in parent teacher conferences – indeed, some do not attend – but those who do, do not question the teacher on the methods of teaching, what can be done at home, the public library, or even tutoring that may be available. The children come to school hungry, as a matter of circumstance, so that even if they get a “free” lunch, it’s hard for them to concentrate in the morning.

And, as with many of the responses on this blog, many working class African American and Hispanic families have expressed extreme frustration that their local schools are allotted nearly $10,000 per student as a title 1 school, yet the students are not performing well.

Like Sue, I think some of the testing is ridiculous. However, unlike Sue, I know that without the testing, our Oakland Schools would not have changed their methods of teaching to reach those children of color. And the learning environment that we have had for many decades would have continued to benefit white and Asian students at the neglect of the others.

I know that the Socratic method of teaching as Sue has described using it in her classroom is very useful – but primarily for white and Asian students from lower to upper middle class backgrounds as they have been taught how to question assumptions, question authority and question things identified as answers or conclusions. However, poor children, particularly those of color and backgrounds, where being respectful of elders and those in authority are important and reinforced values, do not do as well in a classroom using Socratic methods of teaching.

We need to understand the culture of our children and their families to move education forward.

if you want to see an excellent depiction of what goes on in urban school district accompanied by all of the problems associated with operating in that environment, watch Season 4 of the HBO series “The Wire” – it’s hands down the best thing being broadcasted on American television. they get it right – spot on.

also see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJNkL12QD68

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhPZYjRgqTI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z42m_J8t18