Asians vs. Blacks, in education-Part II- Day 118

Happy Thursday to you.

I hope you have a wonderful and properous day. Today, I am completing my research with regard to Asians vs. Blacks, in education. Why is it Asians excel in education, and most Black children fail?

Black Americans:

"Black males in Michigan have the lowest high school graduation rate in the country, according to new University of Michigan research.

Only 33 percent of black males in the state complete high school. In contrast, white males in Michigan have a 74 percent graduation rate, according to UM?s Black Male Project .

?Researchers, policy makers and educators increasingly acknowledge that low K-12 academic performance, high school completion and higher education participation levels for African-American males represent a national crisis,? Rowley said in a statement. ?National data reveal that African-American male students are underperforming at alarming rates across the K-12 educational pipeline as well as in their college attendance and completion rates.?

Rowley, an assistant professor of higher education and Afroamerican and African studies at UM, said the project is designed to examine the factors that contribute to the crisis of black males and education.

?We plan to highlight the variation in black-male background characteristics and attitudes that affect their overall achievement and college aspirations,? he said. ?We also strive to highlight strategies and interventions to mediate these factors.?

Rowley believes that the poor statistics reflect the negative self-image black men have toward their academic efficacy. Public schools should work closely with UM to match educated black men mentors with K-12 students, he said.

Student achievement gaps need to be aggressively addressed. For example, the percentage of Blacks age 25 and older with a high school diploma or more was 72 percent in the 2000 census, compared to 85.5 percent for Whites. In addtion, the percentage of Blacks with bachelor's degrees or more was 14 percent, compared to 27 percent of Whites." (University of Michigan raises awareness of education gap for black males By Dustin Walsh)

"Closing achievement gaps is a critical issue. The performance of Blacks is systematically different from that of other racial and ethnic groups. Decreasing gaps in student achievement means that we must increase the learning gains of Blacks. This will require the creation of public policies and legislation that support public schools committed to identifying and setting high, worthwhile, and attainable goals for students and ensuring that teachers and students are supported in these efforts. It will also require meaningful collaboration among community organizations and leaders, parents, and the school. The success of the school must become the success of the community.

There is a need to increase diversity and cultural competence in the teaching workforce. Recruiting and retaining teachers of color is important, as some children of color will go through their entire educational career without having a teacher who looks like them or who can identify with the uniqueness of their cultural heritage.

Adequate and equitable resources are important to the future success and development of Black students. Far too often, Black students—males in particular—are unnecessarily placed in special education classes, while the number of Black students who take honors and advanced courses remains significantly below that of other groups. School funding structures that lead to under-funding and under-resourcing our neediest schools have furthered the achievement gaps. All students deserve a quality public education, and this can only occur when we close the gaps in equity and access."(NEA: Blacks, Education Issues)

Comparative Analysis:

While it is clear that most Asians do better than Caucasians with regard to education, the question is why? It is also clear that Asians value education, and place a high degree of expectation on it. They believe that whatever it takes to achieve a quality education, at the expense of pleasure must be done. The Asians understand that you can play more when you have worked at the forefront.

The Black culture is completely different. Most Black people emphasize a "good time" before hardwork, and education success. When some Black children spend more time studying, other Black children try to publically embarrass them by saying..."they talk white". Now, I did know that intelligence have a color on it. Basically, in essence, the children are saying. "Black Ebonics, which is really ignorance covered up as accepted speech and speaking proper English is White, which is more intelligent, is more accepted in the Black community. Why? Could it be because most of the Black children are really illiterate?

Think about this:

If my speach patterns are incomplete sentences, improper enunciation of words, slang, and down right ignorance, I speak acceptance Black speech. But if I pronouce my words correctly, speak in complete sentences, and even know how to spell most, if not all of the words that I use, I speak like a "White person"? Are you real, or am I on candid camera? I am saying that Black people who think that ignorance is acceptable need to be reprogrammed.

There is clearly a reason why most Black children fail in school. Only a fool does the same thing over and over again, and expect a different result. So I ask....Black people....what are you doing to actually make changes in education? hmm...the same thing? THINK about it.

Have a great day,

L. for Love

Asians vs. Blacks, in education-Part 1- Day 117

Hello to you , and may your day be as bright as the sun. May your smile be as wide as the ocean.

I have not written in about a week or so. Not good. I miss writing my blog. I love the ability to be able to communicate, unrestrained. Moreover, I have been doing a lot of thinking. Thinking why it is that most Black people are always last when it comes to education or our thinking ability. Do Black people take the time to think? What do we think about about education? I have done some research to ascertain these questions, and the answers may not surprise you but the truth need to be told, and openly discussed. Most Black people place little credence on education. I will compare and analyze the Asian culture and education with Black people culture and education.

Asians:

According to research:

Among Asian communities, the most popular cultural view emphasizes the need for an
individual to succeed in their education (Sue & Okazaki, 1990). Previous studies have identified practices
in many Asian families that are said to promote educational achievements, these are: (1) demands and
expectations for achievement, (2) induction of guilt about parental sacrifices and the need to fulfill
obligations, (3) respect for education, (4) social comparisons with other Asian-American families in
terms of educational success, and (5) obedience to elders such as teachers. This is supported by studies
that show how Asian American students achieving significantly higher on their academic more often
compared to their American counterparts (Goyette & Xie, 1999). This may serve as an indication of how
important education is among Asians. Asian-Americans for instance tend to score higher than whites on tests of math ability, have higher GPAs, and more likely to attend a four-year college course than that of
American whites (Hsia, 1998, Lai, Nagasawa & Wong, 1998; Sue & Okazaki, 1990; Chen & Stevenson,
1995). Numerous comparative studies have reported that, regardless of social class and family economic
background, Asian students have higher SAT scores, higher grade-point averages, more years of
schooling completed, and a lower dropout rate than European Americans and other ethnic groups (Kim
& Chun, 1994; Sue & Abe, 1995). Many researchers have looked for explanations to account for this
remarkable phenomenon (Hirschman & Wong, 1986; Kao, 1995; Kim & Chun, 1994; Peng & Wright,
1994; Sue & Okazaki, 1990). Two views have emerged from previous studies: one ascribes this success to
Asian cultural values, the other to the demands of acculturation.

In particular, Asian cultural values and practices such as the importance of hard work, respect
for education, and high expectations for achievement have been identified to promote high educational
attainments (Kitano, 1984; Sue & Okazaki, 1990; Vernon, 1982). To accomplish goals in learning, Asian
learners are said to be determined, diligent, and generally prepared to undergo hardships and
difficulties where academic tasks are concerned (Li, 2003). They consistently persevere and singlemindedly
concentrate because they were born and raised in a culture which stresses the importance of
effort over ability. They study hard, regardless of favorable or difficult learning conditions and are
motivated to improve themselves continuously. For them, it is always possible to excel, regardless of
how difficult the task maybe, provided that they consistently show and exert considerable effort over
academic tasks.(Asian Values and Epistemological Beliefs as Predictors of Valuing Education)
Angeli Marie S. Malaki
Ma. Socorro Theresa Z. Soriano
Florangel M. Valdez
De La Salle University-Manila

In essence, most Asians understand that it is important to work first and play later. They understand the value of prioritizing. They place a very high value on education.

I was speaking to a friend of mine, when I brought up Asians vs. Blacks in education. He told me that Asians spend "all of their time studying". He went to say that it was almost like "child abuse", the way the Asians make their children study, and forego playing." I listened to him intently. Then I said to him, ok so you are telling me that Asians abuse their chldren when they expect their children to spend more time studying than playing?

I went on..let us look at the results. Asians go on to become some of the brightest minds in the country. While most Blacks aspire to become atheletes and rappers. Where are Black people's thinkers? I further brought to his attention that a fool does the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. For example: If I want to lose weight but I continue eating donuts and cheese burgers, where have I made any changes to see a different result? There.

If most Black children are using the bulk of their time to play, and very little on studies, the results are clear. They will fail, and or get mediocre grades, so where are the changes for a different result for most Black children?

The Bar must be raised. An expectation of greatness must be reinterated.

I will discuss research discussing the problems with most Black children, and their low grades tomorrow.

Have a great day.

L. for Love

The Psychology of "WHY"-Day 116

Happy Monday.

May your day be a blessing waiting to happen. May you have a productive work week.''

This past weekend was challenging and alot of fun for my daughter and me. First, my daughter was invited to a big "star-studded" event to interview attorney Willie Gary, a prominent attorney here in Florida. Mr. Gary is a multimillionaire, that has won some major landmark cases in Florida. He has over 200 people working in his firm.

My daughter has interviewed radio personality, Tom Joyner. He has the radio program with about 10 million listeners per day. My daughter is working on taking the recordings and transferring them to her blog, that she is writing. She took many pictures throughout the event that I have posted some of the pictures above.

This was the most exciting time my daughter had in a while. She wants to expose these professionals to other children to encourage children to study so they too can enjoy the fruits of their labor. My daughter has decided to speak to professionals and translate these interviews so that young people can understand what it will take for them to become successful.

Why? Because young people need to be encouraged.

My daughter constantly ask me these questions. Why mommy? Why not? Why do they? Why do they not?

Why do children ask so many questions? Have you ever thought about this?

Remember the program that Bill Cosby hosted years ago...."Children ask the darnest questions?

According to new research by Maggie Severns, Why as Why? "At some point, most people who spend time around young children encounter a youngster who likes to play the “Why?” game. For those who are not familiar with the “Why?” game, a child asks a question and an adult answers, to which the child asks a second question: Why?

The adult explains the answer and gets the question again: Why?

For a long time, researchers believed that most questions young children ask were being asked in order to prolong a conversation, and not because the child wanted an actual explanation about something. Why? The belief was that children don’t have an understanding of causality until they are between 5 and 8 years old; meaning that they don’t see how one thing can happen or exist because of something else. However, as research continues to dig deeper into the minds of young children, many researchers are starting to believe that very young children—possibly infants—can make causal inferences about the relationship between objects in their environment.

Psychologists writing in this month’s issue of Child Development probe the relationship between young children and their surroundings by taking a look at what questions they ask and how they react when someone responds in order to explain why. Their findings provide new evidence of the power of language interactions between adults and children – driving home the point that the strongest learning environments are those in which adults engage in rich conversations with children, even those as young as 2.
The studies were conducted by Brandy Frazier, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Hawaii, and Susan A. Gelman, and Henry M. Wellman, both professors in psychology at the University of Michigan.
Frazier and her colleagues hypothesized that if children actively seek explanatory knowledge by asking questions, then they will react differently depending on the answer that they receive from an adult. They set out to examine not only the questions kids initially asked, but also their responses to the answers adults gave them. They figured that if children ask questions strictly to spark or extend a conversation, then any answer they receive will be satisfying. But if they are asking questions because they want to know an answer, then the nature and length of that answer will effect how the child reacts.
“I was interested in the active role that kids play in finding out about the world,” Frazier explained in a conversation last week."

So it clearly proven that the most productive enviroments for children are the ones in which they can ask questions, and get explanatory responses. Do not try and prevent children from asking questions, you may stunt their learning. Instead, encourage children to ask questions.

I know first hand that it can be challenging answering the questions. My daughter goes on and on with questions. She is a talker, and a thinker. She wants to know. Sometimes, I may get weiry of answering her questions, or sometimes, I do not have answers that she seeks. But I always encourage her to ask me anything she wants, and I promised her that I will do my very best to answer, and if I do not have the answer, we can research it. I explain to my daughter, like my daddy explained to me, if you have a question you need to ask someone for the answer or now I tell my daughter, research it. With information abound, answers are at your finger tips. Moreover, I carefully explain to her that it is important that she ask all of her questions while she has a teacher in front of her, and for further understanding research and study.

The "Psychology of why" is astounding. This is the way we learn. It is only as young adults and beyond that we began to shy away from asking questions. People try to conveince us that if you ask the wrong question, you will be frowned upon. But I say WRONG! Ask whatever you want to know. Don't worry about asking a "stupid question". Why? Because there is no such thing as a stupid question. The onlt stupid question is the one that is NOT asked.

Knowing this, I encourage to ask your children....what is on YOUR mind today?

Have a wonderful day.

L. for Love

The "Birth" of Complacency-Day 115

Happy Monday:

May your work week be the best week ever. But let us first deal with today, as it is the present, and a gift given to each of us.

This past weekend was a joyous and sadden time, for my daughter, and myself. We found out some very good news, while listening to some of the best motivational speakers there are, and on the other hand, we learned that every that is "said", is not always the truth. But most important, we learned that we have each other, and as long as God gives me breath in my body, I will always be here for my beautiful daughter.

Moving forward. I started reading a new book this weekend. The book is a motivational, self-help book, which are my favorite books. I believe that you are what you think you are. I believe that our mind is so powerful that we can convince it to believe whatever we desire to have, and our mind will develop a "course of action" by which we can accomplish our desired results. I believe that we must constantly motivate ourselves, by what we read, watch and the people we allow in our lives. Sometimes, we have no control over some of the people, as they may be related by blood. But we can surely limited the access these same "negative" people have inour lives.

I am because I believe I am, is my philosophy. So why are so many people, especially Black people, complacent with their present state of being? First, what is complacency?

Complacency-a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.

Motivate-to provide with a motive or motives; incite; impel.

Power-ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something.

Let's just think for a moment about our America's present economic condition. What are we spending most of our money on? Do you know? huh? Let me give you a clue.....complacency. Now can you guess what it is?

United States of America spend most of our tax dollars on "social programs". Yep, that is right, and I said it. Albeit, I have used some of these programs, as a means to help get on my feet, as opposed to allowing the use of these programs to become a way of life.

In fact, did you know: "The Treasury Department has the second largest expense in the federal budget. Only income redistribution (The Departments of Health and Human Services, HUD, and Agriculture (food stamps)) is higher. As the debt increases, so does the interest payment. Social spending is the largest item in our federal budget. Do you have "Compassion" for lower income earners?

In Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09), the Treasury Department spent $383 Billion of your money on interest payments to the holders of the National Debt. Compare that to NASA at $19 Billion, Education at $53 Billion, and Department of Transportation at $73 Billion".(Amac)

We have become a nation of people depending on others to take care of them instead people taking care of themselves. We have become a nation full of people that are complacent. It is NOT the taxpayers responsibility to make sure our children are fed, housed and taken care of. I do not get this. When a girl/young woman makes a conscious decision to engage in unprotected sex, and oops, gets pregnant, who is responsible for that child? Are you ? Am I?

The responsibility clearly lie with the young woman, and the young man that take it upon themselves to engage in sexual acts. Their action eventually produce a baby. The baby must be cared for emotionally, financially and in all other aspects. These parents need to get a job, to financially suppor their child, and solicit help from their family members. Taxpayors should NOT be responsible for other people mistakes. If you make a baby, YOU should be financially responsible for it. This is the only way to make people responsible for their own actions. Otherwise, we create a nation of complacency, which we have done. Everybody says "give me", and no one wants to work and be responsible for their actions.

What if we started a new government plan. NO WORK. NO FOOD. How many people do you think you would see just standing around waiting on someone to give them something for absolutely nothing? Think about it this way.""For society as a whole, nothing comes as a 'right' to which we are 'entitled'. Even bare subsistence has to be produced.... The only way anyone can have a right to something that has to be produced is to force someone else to produce it... The more things are provided as rights, the less the recipients have to work and the more the providers have to carry the load." Thomas Sowell, quoted in Forbes and Reader's Digest.

We need to take a greater stand against complacency, and make people be responsible for their own lives, and their own choices. I truly believe that if you give a man a fish, he will eat for one day. But if you TEACH him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. Teach people to be self reliant. The more people are self reliant, the more we can reduce our budget deficit, and maybe one day, education will become the priority, and all American children will be guaranteed a free college education.

Now "education" is something, most taxpayers, don't mind paying for. An educated people is an educated nation.

Have a wonderful and responsible day.

L. for Love