Blacks more likely to be suspended
Suspension rates by race, gender, school and corresponding results from a national study.
Verity Vail National
Black Males 42% 31% 28.3%
White Males 17.7% 18% 10%
Black females 22.7% 20% 18%
White females 11.7% 4.7% 4%
MIDDLETOWN — A cultural disconnect between teachers and students is blamed as one of the leading factors contributing to the disproportionate number of black students being suspended.
Jody Williams said because of state and federal education legislation, teachers may not feel they have the time to build substantial relationships with their students.
“We hear a lot of comments about the disconnect between students and teachers,” said Williams, program director at MALACHI, a local teen-advisory group overseeing about 150 teenagers. “What we do (here) is to try to engage them. Find out what their trigger is, their spark.”
Verity Middle School Principal Greg Williams said the school has recently taken more statistical measures to find that spark.
The school has been conducting interest surveys so teachers are aware of students’ passions.
“We find out about the TV shows and games students like,” the principal said. “Finding out about students from the students is the way to go.”
For example, if a lot of students signify they like to read “Twilight” books, teachers will try to work them into classroom discussion, even though it’s not part of their core curriculum.
But Greg Williams also insisted “it takes everybody” to make sure students are engaged in school, with parents playing a major role.
Monica Hendricks is a quality insurance coordinator with MALACHI. She’s aware of the seemingly great distance between home and school.
“We’re in a two-parent household and it’s hard to get involved, but we give it our best shot,” Hendricks said.
In an effort to reach out to parents, Superintendent Greg Rasmussen said the district is trying fresh methods.
“Some schools are doing home visits,” he said. “That was popular with Rosa Parks (Elementary) last year.
Rasmussen also mentioned a rise in popularity of student-led parent-teacher conferences have started to bring more parents through school doors. Some teachers at Vail, and all of the teachers at Central Academy have started doing so.
“The success rate at those conferences is high,” he said. A student might say, “ ‘I want my parents to come so they can see what I’m doing.’ There’s a higher likelihood they’ll come as opposed to it just being an optional thing parents may or may not come to.”
Lastly, simple calls home to report good news may also be of help.
“I’ve had teachers tell me parents have cried on the other end of the phone,” he said. “It can be a game-changer.”
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