Friday, November 26, 2010

Data, not race, prompts school's efforts | delawareonline.com | The News Journal

Data, not race, prompts school's efforts | delawareonline.com | The News Journal

Data, not race, prompts school's efforts

DELAWARE VOICE • BY MARTHA SOMMERS • NOVEMBER 26, 2010

I am disappointed by the title and tone of your newspaper's article "Delaware schools: Race-based approach snarls plan for parental involvement" on Nov. 18.

Labeling Claymont Elementary's efforts a "race-based approach" is misleading.

The term "race-based" within the context of this article's title implies a negative connotation inconsistent with our focus. If race is such an issue, why does this article carefully identify the social worker of Claymont's Equity Team as "black" while the nurse on that same team is not identified as "white"? The nurse -- being me -- attended the meeting discussed by this article and was greatly encouraged by it.

Now in my 20th year of employment by the Brandywine School District, I am well acquainted with programs purposed for academic achievement, and I applaud principal Jim Grant for his support of Tuesday night's meeting.

The article states, "Leaders at a Brandywine School District elementary school hope to increase parental involvement and boost test scores by hosting meetings with parents based on race or ethnicity of their