Thursday, December 8, 2011

Obama admin issues guidelines to promote diversity

From the NYT:

“Diverse learning environments promote development of analytical skills, dismantle stereotypes and prepare students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world,” Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said in a statement.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/03/education/us-urges-campus-creativity-to-gain-diversity.html?_r=1

3 comments:

Questioner said...

Here in Pittsburgh the Hon Joseph K. Williams III, the judge who administered the oath of office to incoming school board members yesterday, praised the "rich diverse environment" he had enjoyed as a student in Pittsburgh Public Schools. He spoke about the benefits to students of attending school with people like them and not like them.

Unfortunately large segments of the PPS student body are being assigned to increasingly less diverse schools.

Spirit of 76 said...

Here in Pittsburgh, central administration has rolled out a program to its RISE teams (which will in turn roll out to individual schools) that makes it clear to all white teachers: you are the problem.

While I am sure that there are some here that will feel empowered by such a belief, it is another step in the process to place blame on teachers. Some of the presenters to the RISE team offered exercises that can only be called "racism in reverse." Perhaps in their way of thinking, two wrongs indeed will make a right.

Opening old wounds and make sweeping generalizations about white teachers is not only outrageous, but mind-numbing. I know of no teachers here in 2011, black or white, who uses the race card in his or her practice.

This is what Gates money has brought us. The continued brow-beating is amazing, and I am trying to figure how this is continually saluted by the complicit PFT.

For the life of me, I can think of absolutely nothing redeeming about central administration. These kinds of instances makes my disdain for any individual who is not in the classroom and the PFT that much stronger.

Here's to karma.

Anonymous said...

To karma, Spirit of 76!