Minorities Getting Better Education Than Other Kids

[Jac de Molay]

Oh come on . That's a false dichotomy if I've ever heard one. And it also fails to take into account a myriad of factors that are at the root of the problem- cultural background, parental involvement and overall family life, etc.

Just because educational programs target a certain race doesn't necessarily mean it's a racist policy any more than public health or welfare initiatives are. Certain groups might just happen to share cultural traits, or have similar backgrounds, that hinder educational achievement.

[The Viceroy]

Not all Ethnic Minorities (Personally, I hate that term) are under acheivers. Here in the UK, many Indian groups are excelling, and exceeding others.

My daughter is Half English, and Half Indian, so I wonder .. will she be classed as Ethnic Minority ?? Now you see why I hate the term , it has little meaning.

In this day and age, we shouldn't be refering to people as minorities, it just undervalues them in one foul swoop.

As for this plan, Im most against it. A plan to concentrate on ALL failing students would be nice .. a plan to help those who struggle with English would be nice .. a plan to help those that appear to be getting into crime /becoming distruptive .. that would be nice.

And the best thing about it is, those plans would actually do more good for the very people who this plan was intended to reach.

[Al B. Sure!]

obviously, they can't teach the black students in the class a certain way and then leave the two poor white kids sitting in the corner un-involved... in a way, that is what this thing seems like it is, though i'll admit i havent read the article (page doesn't seem to load)... seems like it though what with the "improving achievements among black students" what do that entail? damn BBC for not working for me.

[Spiffor]

Skywalker speaks the truth.

Besides, Jac de Molay, "socioeconomic status" is just a word encompassing the many socio-economic factors that can explain failure at school: income sure, but also parental divorce, parental skills in English, criminal behaviour, criminality of the neighborhood, family size, integration of the family in society etc.

I fully understand that black people suffer much more often from problems in these regards, and as victims of these problems they should mechanically profit more often from school help. But the deciding factor to decide who gets school help should not be the skin colour. Otherwise, it would mean that you officially expect black people to suck at school by their very nature.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Spiffor
But the deciding factor to decide who gets school help should not be the skin colour.

Perhaps, but in this case, black Carribean children turn out to be the ones the need help.

I don't see what the issue is.

[Kuciwalker]

The issue is that they are helping them, not because they need help, but because they are black Carribean children.

There are some, I'm sure, who are just as well off as white children. They shouldn't be getting help. However, there are white children who are just as poorly off as most black children. They should be helped.

Skywalker speaks the truth.

The Force is with me

[Jaguar]

Spink, you're right. What's gotten into you?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by skywalker
The issue is that they are helping them, not because they need help, but because they are black Carribean children.

There clearly is no such indication from the original BBC article.

[MrFun]

The problem for PA, is that with education, it is always harder to keep darkies in their proper place.

[Az]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger


Perhaps, but in this case, black Carribean children turn out to be the ones the need help.

I don't see what the issue is.

Unless you claim that the fact that they're black Carribean has something to do with their underachieving, I don't see why you have to place this as a criteria to help. Just help those who need help. I am sure that not all of the black Carribean kids need help, and I am sure that not all of those who need help are black Carribean. Catch my drift?

[Solly]

"I am sure that not all of the black Carribean kids need help"

It seems MrFun and Urban Ranger are, and seem implicitly to state that they are inherently inferior.

Target those who are struggling in education. Why target by skin colour? Results from exams will surely do the trick (as God knows in UK kids sit enough tests).

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
There clearly is no such indication from the original BBC article.

Yes it is. They are deciding whether or not to help each child by looking at their race.

[Solly]

The inherent racism in politically correct wannabes

I just don't see how anyone could be in favour of targeting blacks in order to improve the education of those who are struggling, instead of targeting those who are actually struggling.

Quite sad.Indeed one could make a case that it is these sort of policies that help racist groups. If everyone that are struggling were helped equally, black or not, there would be no issue. But as it is, people who have been here for generations are being overlooked in favour of a politically correct "let's help the minorities" stance, despite this implicitly inferring that black children need more help because they are black.

Shame on Urban Ranger and MrFun. Racists.

[Spiffor]

Race profiling is only justified in one circumstance: when racism is considered a true hindrance to whatever aim the minorities get help to achieve. this is why the American affirmative action was (and maybe still is) justified for access at the University, because racism towards Blacks was a real hindrance, and Skin colour is a real indicator of the racism you suffer.

But I doubt that British public schools are racist. There may be traces of racism here and there, but I don't think racism is nearly relevant enough to explain even a tiny part of school failure among minorities.
Ergo, racial profiling is bas in these circumstances.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Park Avenue
The inherent racism in politically correct wannabes

Look who is talking!