School DAZE - "Discrimination" and the NYC SHSAT Process

On September 27, 2012, The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, in a complaint to the New York Office of the Office for Civil Rights, has accused the NYC Dep't of Education of discriminating against black and Latino students, with regards to the admission process to the city’s elite high or Specialized High Schools.

It is their contention, as black and Latino students tend not to do as well as white or Asians, they are unfairly left out, suggesting that other factors need be considered.  

Not surprising, there were a number of supporters of this effort, myself not included; groups such as CAAAV, the Community Service Society and the woman who I am happy to introduce to Critical Discourse, Sister Zakiyah Ansari. Sister Ansari is the Advocacy Director for The Alliance for Quality Education, and she will explain her reasons for supporting the NAACPLDF effort. A mother of eight, she is uniquely qualified to speak to this and other issues surrounding our children’s education.

Dr. Barney Wilson, a college classmate of mine, is the former principal of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, which just happens to be his High School Alma Mater. Because of his success there, he was asked to take on the challenges of transforming the Reginald Lewis High School, also in Baltimore. It should be noted that Baltimore “Poly” does not utilized entrance exams, in order to determine enrollment, but rather, a number of factors, such as grades and recommendations from school faculty.

On the surface, it seems that Sis. Ansari and Dr. Wilson would agree in principle, on this topic, and as I inferred, in contrast to myself.

But as always on Critical Discourse, we are here to learn and go through the thorough Critical Process, in coming to a better understanding on the issues which deeply affect us all.

So join us, hear and BE HEARD!