PsTL 1908W Urban Literacy

A study done by the University’s Institute on Race and Poverty has the goal of revealing unequal access to a quality education within the Twin Cities. Their report “The Choice is Ours: Expanding Educational Opportunity for all Twin Cities Children� tells how many local schools are really segregated. The report also revealed that many of these segregated schools have high-poverty enrollment. Poverty enrollment used to be considered a situation in the inner cities but has been increasing in suburban schools as of late. There are many theories as to why school segregation has been occurring more and more frequently, one such theory is that the families given the choice tend to opt for schools that lack in high poverty enrollment another theory is a connection between segregating the housing situations of people and the segregation of schools. The program Choice Is Yours, a result of a 1990’s lawsuit against the Minnesota State and Minneapolis Public Schools to give families more diverse schooling options. The program gives “some students in the segregated situation the choice of attending an un-segregatesd school in western suburbs.� But his doesn’t really solve the problem now does it. For one thing the program makes the implication that to succeed a student must be in an un-segregated school. Which is not necessarily true. Students can succeed in a segregated school if everything is done properly with all the right information and resources and opportunities. As well as the fact that simply moving a student does not mean that they are going to succeed, in fact it may even prove to be detrimental to their education. Relocation is not the “fix everything in one go� that people seem to be thinking it is. There is a lot more to the story than that that needs to be fixed in order to give everyone an equal and proper education.

Posted by Molly Grise at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

About the video we watched I think it was very accurate and I feel very close to the situation. I attended school in the district they focused on. I went to the Magnet school they mentioned and it was a majority black school with a bad reputation. They have tried to change it by making the school magnet but I personally think they have only created a new problem by forcing all kids to work at a much faster and accelerated level then the average student not all students can be successful at such a high speed. While being in the district you are very much aware of the segregation issue but it doesn’t ever seem as large as it actually is. In high school I went to Osseo Senior which a majority white school, it was known as a white school but it was the most neutral school in the district. The other schools in the district were Park Center which was the “black school� which is not known for being the best school academically and Maple Grove which was the “white school� known for being white kids with rich parents and bad habits. A lot of the stereotypes and facts to indeed reflect on the city we students reside in. Minnesota being a white state and Maple Grove being a new city with high mortgage homes seems to attract high income white families who can afford to stay in Maple Grove. To help the issue and mix the schools I think that a good idea would be to mix homes that are nice and affordable with the homes already in Maple Grove and in all other cities to help expose children in schools to different cultures. It is a pricey concept but we are already building homes in areas like Maple Grove and Lakeville and in the end it will make the state better overall.

Posted by Jasmine Johnson at 1:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I believe that not much can be done immediately about the increase in segregation in some of the schools. The reasons for the segregations is because of the location of the schools. If the school is located in an area that has cheaper living costs then obviously more of the students at the school are going to be poorer than students who attend a school that is located near an area that has higher living costs. If parents of kids who live near one of these segregated schools does not want their child to attend there, then they should be given the choice to attend a public school elsewhere, if they are able to. What I mean is, for example, in my hometown there were two high schools and both were so overcrowed that no was was given the choice of which one they wanted to attend. You have to go to the school whose borders you lived within. But if there is room in a school, I think that parents and students should be given the choice of which school they want to attend. And as time goes on the living conditions in the schools area will eventually change. Like a school who is currently located in a higher costing living area now, might change in a few years and the cost of the living area might go down and the same for a school who is located in a higher cost living area, the costs might go up. And then the segregation would switch between the schools as the time goes on. I don’t really think anything can be done about the segregation I think you just have to wait it out and things will eventually change.

Posted by Kristen Erko at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

I was really surprised to see that segregation in Minneapolis was affecting the schools in the city the way it is and I am having a hard time seeing why. As I was watching the news story I couldn't help but think that the researcher from the University of Minnesota's solution was unrealistic. One can put strategically based affordable housing wherever they want but the poverty rate is constantly growing and people aren't growing to just pack up and leave so it would take years and years for change. I have a hard time believing that just because a school is segregated means that these kids aren't receiving the education that they need. Maybe it's because I haven't been exposed to a public school like the one's in the articles but I just have a hard time seeing why they aren't learning just because they are surrounded by children of their own status. When the superintendent said that the students would be transferred to a different school for Jr. High I was also very skeptical. If these kids really aren't learning then how are they expected to just jump into Jr. High and be able to catch up with the kids who have been taught properly. Something is definitely wrong with both solutions and I am wondering if we can come up with a better one in class.
:)

Posted by Rachael Goerger at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)

I had no idea the segregation in Minnesota Public Schools were so high. In the high school I tutor at, a St. Paul Public school, it is extremely integrated with white, hispanic, asian, african american, and Somali students. The Choice is Ours program seemed to clearly address and explain the problems associated with segregation and sounded like it had some effective solutions. After reading the first article though, I had to rethink how I felt about all this. Obviously segregation in schools is mainly connected to residential segregation but people have the right to live wherever they want, in the city or suburbs. When the article asked why the Choice is Ours program was not a 2-way street, I thought that was very interesting because it is so true. People from the suburbs are not intent on sending their kids to the city, but should they be? It was important that the article mentioned all-inclusive learning, that just because you move kids from one classroom to another does not mean the education would be the same. This was similar to struggling immigrant or falsely labeled ‘slow’ students who may not understand the material taught but understand other things. Teachers need to be trained to teach to all students and emphasize different cultures and values. Maybe the problem should not be so focused on the schools, maybe the residential areas need to be improved as well. People move out of the city, maybe for a different job but they can still work in the city but it is not as SAFE to live than in the suburbs. Changing the neighborhoods would change the schools but changing the schools would not necessarily change the segregation.

Posted by Caitlin Priem at 4:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

While I was reading this, it began to make me angry at how Minneapolis is. I feel it strongly because I've lived here my whole life and I have been to the neighborhoods and seen how things are here first hand. That's not to say this type of stuff doesn't happen in other cities but I feel it more since I live it.
I was shocked at some of the statistics and it makes so much sense as to why it is that way from the real estate and zoning methods that have been used for some time. I actually learned about that last year in my history class so it gave me a better background when reading this.
It seems like there is no real quick fix or even a substantial permanent one, but the Choice is Yours program seems to be a good one. I know some people don't think it will help, but what else will? Sending the poor minority kids to better middle-class schools only have a positive effect. Since the children already there seemed to not be effected academically and the ones who transfered got better,there's no contest. Sure it would involve bringing kids further for school, but honestly, schools here aren't that far apart to begin with. I went to DeLaSalle downtown and although we were a private school, we had buses that were sent as far as other cities to pick up kids. We shouldn't have too big a problem allocating a little more money to have an extra bus or so to get kids who live out of the district especially since it wouldn't be that far. We aren't talking about crossing the city. Evemn schools a few miles apart here in the Cities can have completely different make-ups from their neighbors. In this case, the end justifys the means. Also, people underestimate the importance of having children become exposed to other cutures. When this country and city is so diverse, kids in segregated schools won't learn to survive outside of school. It is so true that many of the minorities make their peers afraid of success. Being smart and therefore "white" isn't cool. Bringing students out of that environment would help them break lose of that mentality. And, being exposed to the middle class values will motivate many of the kids to do better and try harder. There will always be exceptions, but when you're surrounded by people who have good goals, it's hard to not want some for yourself. Keeping the poor and nonwhite populations together hurts not only them, but this city as a whole. We can't allow this to keep happening and it may take a while, but there is no way the next generation will be productive if we don't do something to raise these kids from academic downfall.

Posted by Anna Burke at 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I was rather surprised to see that the poverty rates in schools were growing, especially in racially segregated schools. While I feel for the students who are "hindered" by this problem, I just don't see what realistic options we have for solving the problem. Most of is starts out with where one lives. We attend schools in our neighborhood and thats that. As far as I'm concerned, and I could be naieve, there isn't a lot we can do about it. I do, however find it rather unfortunate that even in today's advanced society, we still correlate financial status with knowledge. It is terrible, but I recognise it is indeed true from my own experiences. I personally come from a middle class family and when I was young finances were an issue. My parents were divorced and at times money was tight, but we never had to worry about losing our house or anything serious along those lines. When I was a bit older it never really crossed my mind much. Things were the way they were and thats was just how it was. In high school it never seemed to bother me at all. When I came here is when I realized that there is a huge difference between the opportunities that those who have more money and those who don't. There are people around me that had far more opportunity to do things. There's not much I can do about it, so I try not to let it bother me. Even though this is my story, I know there are so many out there who feel the same way. Bottom line: I agree something needs to be done. Problem: I don't know what the best solution is. I don't think that bussing children away form there homes is the way to go, but until we are able to equalize the opportunity playing field I just don't see many other options.

Posted by Chanda Alseth at 9:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I really enjoyed reading this article because I have never really read about a major study that is based in my environment. Being from Fargo, I never had the opportunity to learn about issues such as this that were occurring right before my eyes. Prior to reading this article, I never knew of the major problem of segregation in schools that is present in Minneapolis.
Parts that stood out to me
-One page 6, there was a table expressing poverty enrollments of many metro-areas. Included in this table were: Minneapolis 67%, Edina 6%, and Minnetonka 3%. Looking at these statistics, it is apparent that there is a major problem with school segregation based not only on race, but also on poverty.
-On page 14, the article stated that the average black family in the U.S. that earns $60,000 or more is more likely to live in a high-poverty and low education area than a whilte family earning $30,000 or less. These statistics demonstrate the reality of the housing discrimination that is still present. These facts surprised me because I didn't think discrimination in these areas were still that present. On page 15, a NAFA study showed that there was a presence
-On page 21, there was a table on the changes of poverty in schools in Minneapolis. In Columbia Heights, the poverty percentage in schools went from 33 to 56% from 2001 to 2005. Likewise, Richfield schools went from 27 to 47 percent. I was really surprised that the changes have occurred so recently. Many people think that the segregation problem in the United States has been disappearing since the 1960's, but it is hard to believe this when looking at these facts.
-Early on in the article, it stated that one of the problems that caused school segregation was residential segregation. However, on page 24, is stated that school integration leads to more integrated residential patterns. This idea makes sense to me and is a pretty cool idea when you think about it.

I could write more, but I think I'll save some of my ideas for discussion.

Alex Christianson

Posted by Alex Christianson at 9:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

After reading the article and watcing the video i honestly have to admit i wasnt surprised. Ive always had an inside veiw on how things were in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul public schhol districts. I grew up in the West Side of St. Paul and lived across The street from the saint paul public school Humboldt. I went to grade school with many of the kids who attended Humboldt but was fortunate enough to be able to attend a private high school. I saw how many of those kids lived; a hard liFe both a school and then at home. I also saw many of those kids drop out. Im even desided to focus my paper on this issue.
I believe that having the program "The choice is yours" is a really good thing. I think this may be the break alot of those kids need to suceed, and judging by the numbers that the article said the kids who do praticipate in this program succeed. I think that it is good for the students to get out of their segregated towns and be able to see that there is more out there for them and so they see they can do "better". If these students stay in their low poverty segregated cities they only see other children like them and dont realize what they may be missing. Not all student are oblivious to what else is out there but sending them through this program may just give them better perpectives, grades, and get them to want more.

Posted by Kathryn Grayson at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I am really torn between the article "The Choice is Ours:Expanding Educational......" On the one hand, I feel that moving a child into a high school that is more integrated can result in a greater education and greater opportunities. However, I also feel that the fact that a school is segregated does not effect a childs education at all.

If a child were to move in to an integrated school with "better" programs, yes there will be more opportunities. Also, "learning through osmosis" can also play a key role in a persons' education. The child will be around people that may want to learn more than the average student, and as a result will become more motivated and will want to strive to accomplish things. It is all based on who the child hangs out with at the school, too. Integrated schools have their "good" and "bad" students. "Bad," meaning that the children are not as motivated, not as in trouble-makers. Also, if the student is able to find children he/she can relate to then homework groups are always essential to learning key subjects. (when allowed by the class) I know that in my Econ class we have a mini study group, and it help immensely.

Now on the other hand, one can say that it is not the school that helps the child, but the motivation that lies within a child to succeed. If he/she attends a segregated school, yes, there may not be as many opportunities laid out on a silver platter for the student, but it is the student that should take the initiative to find the right resources and meet the right people, whether it be in the school or in the community. A child, if given the right motivation, can do anything they put their mind to. However, this is why people feel that an integrated school is the right choice. Again, everything, at least in my opinion, returns back to the thought that a student can only go as far as they are willing to push themselves. Motivation is the key ingredient of every student in todays era. All the resources and connections are there, but they need to take the initiative to go out and seek them.

Posted by Justin Hasbrouck at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Even before I started reading the article, by just watching the video and glancing over the little introduction I was taken aback by the inequality of the Twin Cities School Districts. I guess I knew that not all schools are equal and that there would be a gap between inner city schools and suburbs, but I did not think it would be to this large of scale. Since I was born and raised in a school district that had no ethnic diversity and only one high school my experience with this problem is extremely limited. The only knowledge I have of metro school districts was what I could recollect from my aunt who is a teacher at Richfield Middle School here in the Twin Cities. I think that the way the Twin Cities is trying to fix the problem by “The Choice is Ours� program is a step in the right direction, but even more needs to be done to eliminate racial and socioeconomic segregation. This may be impractical but maybe they could give some kind of tax breaks for those that keep their children attending the school in the district where they live, and make proportional lower cost hosting in the suburbs, so that every socioeconomic class has a chance to live in each district. If this can be achieved, and schools are more efficiently integrated those particular schools could be given extra incentives in the form of more funding. Although this suggestion might be considered easier said than done, something needs to be done about the inequality that is on the rise. After all, the children of today will be representing tomorrow and America will be as diverse as ever in the future, so instead of avoiding the fact, we need to integrate the schools so that everyone can reap from the benefits of having a wider cultural awareness and respect for one another.

Posted by Ashley Johnson at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After reading “The Choice is Ours: Expanding Opportunity for all Twin Cities Children� I was really surprised. It is very surprising to me that schools are becoming more segregated now than they were in the 1970’s. When I thought about it, I think the reason that academic success is lower at schools with a higher poverty rate is because, in general, the goals are different in this community. Parents may encourage their children to learn basic work skills, rather than how to read and write as a child. When they get older, the focus is on entering the work force, rather than continuing their education. It is not they do not have the potential of being at the same level academically as the schools who have higher incomes, its just that they have different priorities. I think the integration would actually help a great deal. People from different backgrounds, economic levels, and cultures can learn a lot from each other. Some students that never would’ve thought of continuing their education after high school may be inspired by those around them who are. From personal experience, just doing an exchange program with an inner-city school, we learned so much from each other. Imagine if children grew up with that. Not only would people learn to be more accepting of people from different backgrounds than themselves, integration would become a natural thing that wasn’t out of anyone’s comfort zone. This may not be realistic because of the fact that it would be too difficult to make some students go to schools farther away, but eventually, I think it would be a good thing.

Posted by Kate Cowger at 2:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I was pretty surprised at first when I read that school are becoming more segregated than they were in the 70s, but now that I think about it it makes sense. Not only is the minorities and issue, but also poverty. In my high school there were maybe 10 African Americans and 40 Asians, the rest were white. Coming here I didn't freak out about the diversity, but I also know that our campus is not extremely diverse. Throughout Minnesota there is very little diversity, unless you are in the cities. On the other hand, there are many poverty stricken familes that have a different focus on their education that people of the middle or upper classes. In my hometown there were a few people in poverty, but the majority of people were middle class and then there were a bunch of extremely rich people. It always seemed like the poverty stricken kids were the ones in special education or the ones that needed help with their homework. Either that or they would be the class clowns or get suspended all the time. I never really understood why that is. I mean, if I got suspended my parents would kill me and I never got why their parents don't do anything about it. After talking to one of them a while ago, I realized that their parents try to do something about it, but they are too busy working or focusing on other things. I'm guessing that in the cities that is the case as well. We always hear about shootings and gangs in the cities and I think its because their parents don't have time to discipline them and they don't know the value of education, otherwise they would be out there getting one. I understand that some kids just don't do well in school, but that should not be the case for so many kids.

Posted by Devon Sinclair at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

“Study Shows Correlation between School Segregation and Enrollment�

1) What is your opinion of “The Choice is yours�?
2) Is racial segregation a major problem in schools? How can this be solved?
3) Should “The Choice is yours� be a two-way program? Is this a type of racism?
4) Is this segregation a class problem as well?

“The Choice is Ours: Expanding Educational Opportunity for all Twin Cities Children�

1) What are some things that can be done to help re-integrate schools?
2) Why do you think that schools whose students have a higher poverty rate experience less success? Is the problem the schools or the students?
3) Is housing segregation a major contributing factor to this problem? Why?
4) How does affordable housing affect the schools?
5) How do you think that integration would help students?
6) Do you feel that this problem predates the Equal Rights Movement? (Meaning that it was a problem then as well) Why and how?’

Posted by Sarah Stackley at 10:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The U of M study “The Choice Is Ours: Expanding Education Opportunity for all Twin Cities Children� explains the segregation situation and why it has problems. Mostly the report focuses on economic and racial segregation in the Minneapolis Public Schools and its effect on the students at the schools. The report states that black children in Minneapolis today are more likely to be in a segregated school than they were back in the 1970s.
The report begins by discussing the segregation in Minneapolis schools and how it is detrimental to all children affected. Segregation in the inner city of Minneapolis is due to many factors. One of the factors is affordable housing. In most cases in the Twin Cities affordable housing is located in a compact area in the city of Minneapolis as well as in some suburban cities; due to this, the schools in Minneapolis and other suburbs are racially segregated because affordable housing accommodates a majority of poor and minority people in the Twin City area. Therefore, because of the zoning regulations in these cities, many minority students are not exposed to a diverse population in their schools.
The report goes on to discuss that the problem of segregation has previously attempted to be assisted by extra funding to those schools. It states that some high-poverty minority schools receive twice the amount of funding as white suburban schools do. This however, still does not close the gap between achievement and the majority of white suburban schools still do increasingly better than the non-white impoverished schools in the cities. Only about 50% of African American students and 20% of Latinos are expected to graduate high school, which they stated in the article was an understated percentage. The conclusion is then made that one of the most important factors to students’ education is diversity. They need diversity, not to learn fundamental academics, but to learn from each other; they need to learn and be exposed to different cultures, religions, races, economic backgrounds, to name a few, and other things that separate children from their own culture and background.
Some solutions to this problem are also represented in the report. It suggests a extension of an already in place plan that allows kids out of district to chose a different school in a suburban or city area that is different than their own. This solution, however, cannot solve the entire problem. New affordable housing must be put into place in order to discontinue the expansion of racially segregated schools in the area.

Posted by Anna Pirsch at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)