The Professors & Facilitator
Cross Cultural Education:
Learning Through Listening
Sociology 599
Spring 2001
by
JoAnn R. Miller
"Twenty as One"
What a wonderful opportunity
to learn and grow!
On behalf of the students who are falling through the cracks, I would like to thank Dr. Dwaine Plaza, Dr. Erlinda Gonzales-Berry, and Ms. Lisa Gaines for providing me the opportunity to begin to explore the causes of the high drop out rates of African American and Latino students in the state of Oregon.
"Twenty as One" immediately became our motto as we struck out on our five day adventure to gain some insights to the disproportinate drop out rates of African American and Latino high school students in Oregon.
We began by spending some time getting to know each other through bonding, listening, and networking. The day was long and at times tense, but the end resulted in twenty students from different backgrounds, disciplines, and goals learning how to communicate in a positive way. As we prepared for our days of interviews and debriefing, we discovered many strengths the group had as a whole.
As the interview process began on day two of our educational experience, I was surprised of the educational concerns many parents and students of color are still facing in the 21st century. Hearing from administrators, educators, and parents regarding the low quality of education being offered by Portland Public Schools, specifically in schools where there are high populations of students of color and poverty, set me back 25 years. The anectodal stories that were shared and the facts surrounding drop out rates, test scores, tracking and bussing students were very similiar if not mirrored in stories of educational practices in the 1960's and 1970's. Although the report card for schools in Oregon vary in scores the overall rate of Portland Schools were lower than schools in other communities we interviewed. The ratio of teachers of color to students seem to be less today than ever before. Although most of the interviews revealed astounding and disturbing information on the public education system, the educational support provided by Deborah Cochrane at Portland State University for future teachers of color offer a ray of hope for future students.
As the week continued and interviews revealed more information for the students to digest and process, the reasons behind the high number of drop outs by youth of color is complex.
The role of the policymakers and top level adminstrators in Oregon's
educational system was shared by Representative March www.leg.state.or.usof
Portland and Merced Flores from the Department of Education. There appeared
to be a lack of understanding and a definite disconnect of what is happening
at the policy level and what is needed in local schools for students to
be successful. Currently legislation is being debated, Senate Bill
919, that would eliminate Bilingual Education in Oregon Public School System.
This bill would directly impact students in every school district in Oregon.
To learn more on this legislation click on the website listed in this section.
Latino teachers and students from the Salem-Keizer school district shared their educational experiences in order to provide a snapshot of what is needed to support students with Limited English Proficiency in Oregon schools. Although the students were strong leaders in their school, they acknowledge the need to offer educational support so that all students can succeed. The issues for African American students do not differ that much from the Latino students with the exception of the language barrier according to community advocates from Benton and Marion counties. Cal Henry and Willy Richardson shared stories as parents of African American students in Oregon schools.
Most of the interviews contained the same themes; support, understanding, and awareness is needed for students of color, particulary African Americans and Latinos, to succeed in the Oregon school system. The most successful model of the support that is needed for students to succeed was demonstrated in the Central School District - Independence. A small yet powerful school district in Oregon is recognizing and providing educational, family, and community support to the students and parents of Independence. Bilingual education, high school completion, and parenting are just a few of the services offered by the Central School District.
As the week came to an end, we concluded our interviews with a parent, a teaching assistant, and a student from Corvallis 509J School District. Once again, themes that had been shared all week once again surfaced. Student support, understanding, and awareness is needed in order for youth of color to succeed in the public education system in Oregon.
For additional information on policies and other services available
to support youth please check out the listed websites.