(NAME-MCE) Educators debate gulf dividing schools, students

[Bill Howe]

  [image: indystar.com]

July 19, 2008

Educators debate gulf dividing schools, students

In 1st joint appearance, pair present their views on why the disconnect
exists
*
By Andy Gammill
andy.gammill at indystar.com*

Ruby Payne and Jawanza Kunjufu had never shared the stage before Friday, but
their careers have intertwined for years in a debate over how American
teachers differ from their students.

Both believe teachers fail to make connections with students because of
differences in cultural backgrounds. Payne, a white former principal,
believes poverty is the root of that disconnect. Kunjufu, a black educator,
says that theory ignores race.

The two have sparred in writing and in separate appearances but spoke
together for the first time Friday at Indiana Black Expo to a room of
hundreds of educators from around the state.

"They do not agree on many issues, but they have agreed on one important
thing: They have agreed to come together and talk to us and help us better
understand their views," Brownsburg Schools Superintendent Kathleen Corbin
said in an introduction.

"It is symbolic of what we all must do here in this world if it is ever to
be a better place."

Both speakers agreed that teachers are disconnected from their students and
said that distance stems from cultural differences.

Kunjufu advocated systemic changes in education, such as adding
multicultural curriculum, expanding the school day and year, going to
single-gender schools and having principals monitor teachers closely to
solve the problems.

Payne suggested teachers be trained to understand the different mindset she
said permeates the life of poor families. But some of the differences she
cites in her book have rankled critics as racist.

"*Poor people this, poor people that -- love jail, go to jail -- how can any
teacher have high expectations if they subscribe to what you are preaching?"
asked Pat Payne, director of multicultural education for Indianapolis Public
Schools, and no relation to the speaker.*

Ruby Payne responded that she presents statistics aimed to help teachers
understand poor students in their classes, thus making a stronger
connection.

Kunjufu suggests that such arguments are making excuses that allow teachers
and schools to ignore their own shortcomings.

Kathy Walters, a teacher at Guion Creek Middle School in Pike Township, said
she drew inspiration from both messages.

"They were great. They have two different perspectives, but their same goal
is kids," she said, adding that more teachers need to commit to such
efforts. "It has to be done with sincerity and compassion for kids."

Mathew Davis, a student at Arlington High School and one of the few teens at
the presentation, said he feels disconnected not only from his teachers but
from the lessons, too.

Students, he said, would better connect in English class if classic poems
were studied alongside rap lyrics and they could be compared to one another.
The poems don't seem relevant, and he said adding pieces that mirror their
lives would help.

Dominic Day, a teacher at Elston Middle School in Michigan City, said
Kunjufu's message of making sure schools aren't foisting blame onto parents
or poverty resonated with him.

"I do see a lot of the blaming, and you do have to get to the root of the
problem," he said. "A lot of teachers are in it for the right reasons, and
as in a lot of things, there are some that need to be weeded out."

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http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080719/LOCAL18/807190442





-- 
Bill Howe
Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) - http://apaact.com/

13th Annual New England Conference on Multicultural Education (NECME)
October 8, 2008, Connecticut Convention Center - Hartford, Connecticut
http://www.necme.org