“I Can’t Make a Teacher Love My Son”

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Questions and Answers

What prompted the author's introduction to racial justice work?

Her full-time job

Her enrollment at Wright State University

Her experience with her son in preschool (correct)

Her excitement about having her son on campus with her

What was the author's initial attitude towards racial justice work?

She was indifferent

She was political

She was apprehensive

She was upbeat and excited (correct)

What difficulties did the preschool give the author when enrolling her son?

They gave her a hard time (correct)

They enrolled him smoothly

They were supportive

They provided extra assistance

What reason did the preschool staff give for wanting to evaluate Amir?

To see if there are any services that he needs Signup and view all the answers

How did the author feel about the request to have Amir evaluated?

Concerned and questioning the motives Signup and view all the answers

What was the author's perception of the preschool's handling of Amir's behavior?

Inadequate and unprofessional Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main reasons the author emphasizes the importance of parents at the forefront of movements for educational justice?

To break the negative stereotype of Black parents not caring about their children's education Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author mention the need for actual parents at the table who have experienced school failure and racial disparities firsthand?

To provide informed input into education policy based on lived experiences Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the challenges faced by the author's son at school, as mentioned in the text?

Bias from teachers based on racial stereotypes Signup and view all the answers

What was the mother's response when the preschool threatened to expel Amir?

She removed Amir from the preschool and enrolled him in an all-male public school. Signup and view all the answers

In what context does the author mention that 'Black children, especially boys, will routinely be suspended and labeled 'failures' at school'?

To highlight the normalization of abnormal treatment of Black children in schools Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the reasons the author feels isolated in refusing to accept abnormal treatment of Black children as normal?

The normalization of abnormal treatment of Black children in society Signup and view all the answers

What led to the founding of the Racial Justice NOW organization?

The threat of expelling Amir from preschool Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the author's main concerns regarding the state of the Black community when it comes to education?

The normalization of abnormal treatment and outcomes for Black children in education Signup and view all the answers

Why did the pediatrician advise against an evaluation for Amir?

Concern for labeling Amir Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author mention that there is a need to 'jolt the consciousness' of parents in their community?

To create a sense of urgency and awareness about abnormal treatment of Black children Signup and view all the answers

What was the mother's realization about Black boys in the area?

They have some of the worst academic outcomes regardless of income Signup and view all the answers

Where did Amir thrive after being removed from the initial preschool?

In an all-male public school Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the complaint filed against the Wright State University preschool?

The complaint led to the founding of Racial Justice NOW organization Signup and view all the answers

What was the main issue that the authors addressed in Dayton, Ohio schools?

Racial bias and mistreatment Signup and view all the answers

What did the authors advocate for as alternatives to harsh discipline policies?

Positive behavioral supports and restorative justice Signup and view all the answers

What did the district agree to as part of the authors' demands?

Publishing discipline data online and hiring restorative justice coordinators Signup and view all the answers

What valuable resources and support did the Dignity in Schools Campaign provide throughout the advocacy process?

Valuable resources and support Signup and view all the answers

What did the authors successfully lobby for in Dayton Public Schools?

Creation of an Office for Males of Color Signup and view all the answers

What did House Bill 410, which the authors helped pass, aim to do?

Decriminalize truancy and establish an intervention team to work with families Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Parents of Black children often faced issues with the school system, particularly if they had boys.
The authors joined Racial Justice NOW. and the Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC) to address the issue of racial bias and mistreatment in Dayton, Ohio schools.
The authors presented school officials with their own data, revealing that Dayton was one of only three school districts in Ohio expelling preschoolers, with a high rate of suspensions for Black students and boys.
The authors advocated for positive behavioral supports and restorative justice as alternatives to harsh discipline policies.
The district agreed to several demands, including publishing discipline data online, hiring restorative justice coordinators, and removing zero-tolerance language from the student code of conduct.
The organization also created a school discipline report card for 1,100 school districts across Ohio, revealing high rates of suspensions and racial disparities.
The authors successfully lobbied for the creation of an Office for Males of Color in Dayton Public Schools to focus on the experiences of Black boys.
The Dignity in Schools Campaign provided valuable resources and support throughout the advocacy process.
The authors also helped pass House Bill 410, which decriminalized truancy in Ohio and established an intervention team to work with families instead of referring them to juvenile court.

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Description

Test your knowledge about racial bias and mistreatment of Black children in schools, and the efforts to advocate for change and justice in the education system.