Program Change

Tonights Lets Talk Education Radio program on blogtalkradio.com/evelyn-bowden has been rescheduled to air Monday March 1, at 8pm.

Alabama’s Superintendents assessment that the students are gaining in Advanced Placement is the equivalent of making Advancement with a Thimble full

In a press lease on February 10, 2010, Alabama's State Department of Education stated that "Student participation in AP courses and exams and AP exam scores continue to rise in Alabama." It is encouraging that more students, especially African-American students, are taking advanced courses and exams, however what the press release did not say was that the percentage of students failing AP exams is also on the rise. In 2004 32% of the African-American Students scored 3 or higher, in 2009 only 18% of African-American students scored 3 or higher. The percent of Low-income students passing the exam was down 14% also, and there was an 11% decrease in the percent of All Alabama students scoring 3 or better. Alabama's ranks among other states with a 45%-54.9% AP failure rate.

According to the press release Gov. Bob Riley said, "Expanding Advanced Placement programs is critical to providing a world-class education for our children and making sure they are prepared to succeed in today's "global economy". With whom will Alabama's student be able to compete based on these AP results?

In addition Alabama was one of six states to receive funding from National Governors Associations to expand AP courses to more minority and low-income students as well as one of seven states to be awarded a National Math and Science Initiative grant to strengthen AP programs. Are these AP results a satisfactory return on investment?

Evelyn Bowden
www.blogtalkradio.com/evelyn-bowden
www.letstalked.net

Are You Serious?

"I feel the past Board members, working with our Superintendent and staff members in the Central Office, have turned the program upward, and with the current "leadership" you will see continued improvement..." Harry Lee. This quote is from an email I received from Mr. Lee in response to information I provided the board on pattern of failure in the Elementary Schools in Tuscaloosa City School system. I suppose his view also applies to this account of the progress at the High School Level also. Is it any wonder that the black children are failing in this system?

Thousands Failed More to Come

January 26, 2010: The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education voted to extend the contract of School Superintendent Dr. Joyce Levey. For those in the black community the question is what were they thinking. Under Dr. Levey there continues to be astronomical failure of black students who make up the majority to the student population. From 2005-2009 approximately 2630 black elementary students have failed reading and 3810 math compared to 120 white students failing reading and 246 failing math. There are nine elementary schools in the city system. 2 schools have failed black students at the same rate each year during the five year period; 2 schools show a small reduction in failure rate (-1% & -3%)'; the 5 remaining schools have increased the rate of failure of black students as much as 9%. In addition to this, under the Levey administration some 291 students left school with certificates not diplomas and approximately 700 dropped out. Why would you want more of the same in a system thats supposed to ensure education for all, 43% failure for black students yet less than 5% failure of whte students.?