Behavior in school directly related to Achievement!

June 19, 2023

I believe all students (K-12) deserve a good education. All should have an opportunity to learn in safe schools, with great teachers and classrooms free of distractions. However, currently in the US this is not always the case, especially in our large cities. Many large cities have schools with zero % student achievement levels.

I have researched this topic, read published essays, books, newspaper articles, statistical studies and great commentaries from Nobel winning educators and economists. Sadly, I have also read opinions from political activists. The views cited by activists differ from reality, common-sense and logic.

Here are some examples:

• There is an achievement gap between Black and white students. Black student test scores are significantly lower than whites. Activists blame “systemic racism.” Yet in many large cities the mayors, school boards, school supt., principals, teachers, guidance counselors, and police resources are often Black.
• High schools with large % of Black students do not score as high as white high schools. Activists claim this is due to segregation. Clustering the schools with mostly Black student causes the scores to be low. Why is that? White high schools perform much better. Whites “segregated” into a school seems to work well. Same with Asian students.
• Economists and research professors believe that Black children do not have a homelife conducive to learning and excelling in school. Black children are raised by single parents, often low income, and sadly do not have meaningful conversations at home. Young white children hear 150-250 words spoken to them each day using proper grammar and supportive language, often quite encouraging. Black children might hear 15-20 words each day from an adult and often the words are demeaning, critical and negative. Often, excelling in school is viewed negatively in Black neighborhoods.
• Activists claim Black students are disciplined in school at a higher rate than whites. The data supports this. Activists cite racism as the cause of this disparity. A heavy burden is placed on the teachers to correct student behavior in the classroom. In Charlotte, NC it is ok for a student to lightly shove a teacher! Can you imagine?
• Students must be taught how to behave by their parents. Teachers of Black children are more likely to be lenient of bad behavior for fear of being called a racist. Bad behavior in school can lead to suspensions and expulsions. Activists call this “exclusionary.” Getting expelled from HS is often desirable for Black students. However, the data shows these students don’t graduate, and frequently enter into the criminal justice system.
• One activist claimed that metal detectors for school entrance was just a way of “policing Black kids.” I believe metal detectors save lives.
• Parenting skills, homelife, family structure and bad behavior are the reasons Black children under perform.
• Our local, state and Federal government must make education a very high priority. It is unacceptable to have race disparities in educational achievement. Under performing schools cannot be tolerated. And Black families must support these schools.
• Footnote #1-References provided by Dr. James Heckman and Dr. Thomas Sowell
• Footnote #2-There are millions of high achieving Black children.