Monday, June 10, 2013

How cookie-cutter school reforms cement class, race divisions

How cookie-cutter school reforms cement class, race divisions:

How cookie-cutter school reforms cement class, race divisions

ABC cookie cutters and their real-life models. (Kim O'Donnel)
(By Kim O’Donnel)
Here is an insightful look at the consequences of corporate-influenced school reform on class and race divisions in this country. It was written byNatalie Hopkinson is a contributing writer to The Washington Post. You can reach her at NHopkinson@hotmail.com. Join her, Allison Brown Consulting and The Root DC for a discussion on race and class in D.C. public schools at noon on June 15 at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE in Washington D.C. This appeared on The Root DC.
Cookie-cutter school reforms cement class and race divisions and hide the black genius in our backyards.
In 1992 and fresh out of Yale, David Levin was on his way to becoming what has  become a stereotype of the Teach for America recruit: white, privileged, well-meaning and utterly unprepared to manage his class of mostly poor students of color in Houston.
Then he watched educator Harriett Ball in action. Even sitting down in front of the