ROCKLIN SCHOOL BOARD PRES CALLS ON WHITE JESUS TO SAVE THE DISTRICT: FILM AT 11

 

ROCKLIN SCHOOL BOARD PRES CALLS ON WHITE JESUS TO SAVE THE DISTRICT: FILM AT 11

In a recent turn of events, the president of the Rocklin School Board in California has called upon the almighty White Jesus to save the district. Yes, you read that right. The board president, Julie Leavens Hupp, made a statement urging "Christ-centered" families to join the district's advisory committees. 

Now, we're not sure if Ms. Hupp is aware of the separation between church and state, but we're pretty sure that calling on a religious figure to intervene in public school affairs is not exactly legal. But hey, who are we to judge? Maybe White Jesus has a degree in education and is qualified to give input on new curriculum and district policies. 

The statement caused concern among some parents, who worried about the erosion of the separation between church and state. However, other parents supported the message, arguing that Christians should be allowed to give their input like anyone else. We're not sure if these parents realize that "Christ-centered" families are not the only ones who pay taxes and have a say in public school affairs. 

The school district stated that it was aware of the social media posts and called for diversity in the committees. Parents can sign up for the committees until 29 August, so if you're a follower of White Jesus and want to have a say in your child's education, now's your chance! 

In all seriousness, we hope that the Rocklin School Board takes this situation seriously and ensures that all voices are heard in the decision-making process. Education is important, and it's crucial that we provide our children with a well-rounded and diverse curriculum that prepares them for the real world. Let's leave White Jesus out of it.

Calls for 'Christ centered' committee members meet mixed reaction https://www.kcra.com/article/rocklin-school-board-committee-members-lashback/44930995 

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BING AI

Rocklin school board president's calls for 'Christ centered' committee:

• - The Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) is a public school district in Placer County, California, that serves about 12,000 students in 19 schools¹.
• - The RUSD Board of Trustees consists of five members who are elected by the voters of the district for four-year terms². The current board president is Julie Leavens Hupp, who was elected in 2020 with 25.8% of the votes³.
• - On August 27, 2023, Hupp posted a message on her campaign Facebook page, urging "as many Christ-centered, family-focused parents" to apply for the RUSD advisory committees, which provide input on various district policies and curriculum⁴⁵. She also wrote that she was "looking for people who will stand up to the radical left agenda that is being pushed in our schools" and that she wanted to "bring back our Christian values and morals".
• - Hupp's post sparked a backlash from many parents and community members, who accused her of violating the separation of church and state and discriminating against people of other faiths or no faith. Some parents also expressed concern that Hupp was trying to influence the selection of a new science curriculum for grades 3-5, which had been postponed by the board in April 2023 after some parents objected to its content on evolution, climate change, and human reproduction⁶⁷.
• - In response to the criticism, Hupp posted another message on her Facebook page, clarifying that she was not excluding anyone from applying for the committees and that she welcomed "all faiths and all child loving people". She also said that she was "proud of the diversity of our community" and that she hoped to see it represented in all of the committees⁸.
• - However, some parents were not satisfied with Hupp's explanation and demanded a formal apology from her. They also called for more transparency from the board on how they would select the committee members and what criteria they would use. Some parents said they planned to attend the next board meeting on September 6, 2023, to voice their concerns and ask for Hupp's resignation⁹ .
• - As of August 29, 2023, there has been no official statement from the RUSD or the board regarding Hupp's posts or the controversy they caused. There has also been no indication of any legal action or lawsuit filed against Hupp or the district over this issue.

 Bing, 8/29/2023

• (1) Rocklin school board president's calls for 'Christ centered' committee members gets mixed reaction. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/calls-for-christ-centered-committee-members-meet-mixed-reaction/vi-AA1fUD1m.
• (2) Rocklin schools president calls out for Christ-centered parents - abc10.com. https://www.abc10.com/article/news/education/rocklin-school-board-advisory-committee/103-bc5c7006-96e0-4ed4-a035-94983acdbbfc.
• (3) Rocklin school board president's calls for 'Christ centered' committee .... https://www.kcra.com/article/rocklin-school-board-committee-members-lashback/44930995.
• (4) California school board president faces backlash for calling ‘Christ .... https://totalnews.com/california-school-board-president-faces-backlash-for-calling-christ-centered-parents-to-get-involved/.
• (5) California school board president faces backlash for calling 'Christ .... https://www.foxnews.com/media/california-school-board-president-faces-backlash-calling-christ-centered-parents-get-involved-curriculum.
• (6) Rocklin school board president faces controversy over calls for .... https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/rocklin-school-board-president-faces-controversy-over-calls-for-religion-in-curriculum/.
• (7) Rocklin school board president faces controversy over calls for .... https://www.channel3000.com/news/national-and-world-news/rocklin-school-board-president-faces-controversy-over-calls-for-religion-in-curriculum/article_663ae8b0-219b-54a7-b534-a52bfd2c6958.html.
• (8) Rocklin School Board President Facing Backlash For ‘Christ-Centered .... https://kubaradio.com/rocklin-school-board-president-facing-backlash-for-christ-centered-comments/.
• (9) Rocklin school board president faces controversy over calls for .... https://abc17news.com/cnn-regional/2023/08/28/rocklin-school-board-president-faces-controversy-over-calls-for-religion-in-curriculum/.

SFUSD WHERE THE BILLIONAIRES PLAY AND TEACHERS PRAY

 

SFUSD WHERE THE BILLIONAIRES PLAY AND TEACHERS PRAY

San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is in the news again, and this time it's not for their high-ranking Asian students or their big budget. No, this time it's for their financial mismanagement, teacher shortages, and potential school closures. But don't worry, folks, it's all part of the billionaires' plan to destroy public education in California.

According to the San Francisco teachers' union, the district has borrowed irresponsibly, failed to capitalize on vacant properties, and overspent on top administrative salaries. And let's not forget about the faulty payroll system that cost the district over $30 million. But hey, at least they're consistent in their mismanagement.

The union is asking for a two-year, across-the-board raise for all credentialed teachers and a minimum salary of $30 an hour for teacher's aides. The district responded with a $5,500 across-the-board raise proposal for a one-year contract. The union says that the district received $80 million from the state last year and has millions of dollars in savings. So why not spread the wealth, right?

But the real issue here is the portfolio model that SFUSD is using, which is straight out of the billionaires' privatization playbook. This model emphasizes testing and data over actual learning and creativity. It's all about the bottom line, folks, and if that means closing schools and laying off teachers, so be it.

And let's not forget about the scandals that have plagued SFUSD over the years. From Alison Collins' frivolous lawsuit to the school board's decision to rename 44 schools without consulting historians or educators, it's clear that SFUSD has a knack for making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

But perhaps the biggest scandal of all is the persistent achievement gap between white and Asian students and their Black and Latino peers. Despite various attempts to desegregate schools, increase funding, and implement reforms, the district has failed to close the gap or improve outcomes for its most disadvantaged students. It's as if SFUSD is stuck in a time loop, repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

So what's the solution? Well, for starters, how about we stop letting billionaires buy our school board elections? How about we prioritize actual learning and creativity over testing and data? And how about we actually listen to teachers and parents instead of just paying lip service to their concerns?

In conclusion, SFUSD may have a big budget and high-ranking Asian students, but it's clear that something is seriously wrong with this district. It's time to stop the billionaires' privatization agenda and start prioritizing public education for all students. Because if we don't, we'll be stuck in this comedy of errors for years to come.

Teachers Accuse San Francisco School Leaders of Fiscal Mismanagement https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/28/teachers-accuse-san-francisco-public-school-leaders-of-fiscal-mismanagement/ 

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BING AI

SFUSD compares to other school districts in California in the following ways:

• - SFUSD is one of the most diverse school districts in California and in the nation, ranking fifth and 67th respectively¹.
• - SFUSD has the second highest Academic Performance Index among the seven largest California school districts, which measures student achievement and growth based on standardized tests³.
• - SFUSD has seven high schools that were named among the top five percent in the country by Newsweek in 2007³.
• - SFUSD spends more and has more staff allocated to central administration functions than most of its peer districts, especially on instructional supervision and administration².
• - SFUSD has 75% more schools and 28% less students per school than the median number in its peer districts, which may affect its efficiency and economies of scale².
• - SFUSD faces a budget deficit of $100.2 million and a possible state takeover if it cannot balance its books without relying on one-time funds².

Bing, 8/29/2023

• (1) 2022 San Francisco Unified School District Rankings - Niche. https://www.niche.com/k12/d/san-francisco-unified-school-district-ca/rankings/.
• (2) San Francisco Unified School District - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Unified_School_District.
• (3) SF Schools Spent Nearly Double on Central Admin vs. Peers. https://sfstandard.com/education/san-francisco-schools-sfusd-spending-central-administration-audit/.

San Francisco Public Schools fiscal mismanagement. 

• - The San Francisco teachers' union released a report on August 28, 2023, accusing the school district of fiscal mismanagement amid ongoing contract negotiations¹²⁶. The report claims that the district has borrowed irresponsibly, failed to capitalize on vacant properties, hired expensive consultants, and overspent on top administrative salaries¹²⁶. The union says that the district's behavior has led to teacher shortages, a payroll disaster, and talk of merging and closing campuses¹²⁶.
• - The union is asking for a two-year, across-the-board raise for all credentialed teachers and a minimum salary of $30 an hour for teacher's aides, which would cost the district roughly $90 million over the course of the contract¹²⁶. The district responded with a $5,500 across-the-board raise proposal for a one-year contract¹²⁶. The union says that the district received $80 million from the state last year and has millions of dollars in savings¹²⁶.
• - The school board approved a $1.16 billion total operating budget for the 2021-22 school year on June 23, 2021⁹ [^10^]. The budget includes the $75.8 million 2021-22 Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF) Expenditure Plan, which supports programs such as sports, libraries, arts, and music in the public schools⁹ [^10^]. The budget also includes $93.5 million parcel taxes from the Quality Teacher and Education Act (QTEA) and the Fair Wages for Educators Act (FWEA), which help make San Francisco teacher salaries competitive and provide financial incentives for teachers to work at high-needs schools and subjects⁹ [^10^].
• - The district expects to receive $140 million in federal stimulus funding that will help welcome students back with increased academic and wellness support in the fall and will help address a budget deficit of $100.2 million⁹. The district also expects to receive $551.3 million from the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), California's primary source of state education dollars⁹. However, school district officials caution that these new state and federal funds may only be short-term relief for an ongoing structural deficit facing SFUSD and many other California school districts⁹.
• - The district faces possible takeover by the state due to its budget problems¹¹. According to state law, if a school district cannot meet its financial obligations for the current or two subsequent fiscal years, it must request an emergency loan from the state, which would trigger state intervention and loss of local control¹¹. The district has until October 8, 2021, to submit a revised budget to the county office of education that shows how it will balance its books without relying on one-time funds¹¹. If the county office rejects the revised budget, it could appoint a fiscal advisor to oversee the district's finances and make recommendations to avoid insolvency¹¹.

 Bing, 8/29/2023

• (1) Teachers Accuse SF School Leaders of Fiscal Mismanagement. https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/28/teachers-accuse-san-francisco-public-school-leaders-of-fiscal-mismanagement/.
• (2) ‘Math isn’t mathing’: Teachers’ union alleges SF school district of .... https://localnewsmatters.org/2023/08/28/math-isnt-mathing-teachers-union-alleges-sf-school-district-of-fiscal-mismanagement/.
• (3) Teachers' Union Releases Report Accusing School District Of Fiscal .... https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/teachers-union-releases-report-accusing-school-18335086.php.
• (4) SF Board of Education Approves Budget for 2021-22 School Year. https://www.sfusd.edu/about-sfusd/sfusd-news/press-releases/2021-06-23-sf-board-education-approves-budget-2021-22-school-year.
• (5) Budget and LCAP | SFUSD - San Francisco Public Schools. https://www.sfusd.edu/about-sfusd/budget-and-lcap.
• (6) San Francisco school district faces possible takeover due to budget .... https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/san-francisco-school-district-faces-possible-takeover-due-to-budget-problems/.
• (7) San Francisco teachers' union accuses school district of fiscal .... https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/san-francisco/san-francisco-unified-school-district-fiscal-mismanagement/3305731/.
• (8) SF teachers, parents claim San Francisco Unified School District .... https://abc7news.com/san-francisco-teachers-sfusd-board-of-education-district-stabilization-plan/13712985/.
• (9) undefined. https://t.co/w7B5HpkX8n.
• (10) . https://bing.com/search?q=San+Francisco+Unified+School+District+budget.
• (11) San Francisco Unified School District. https://www.sfusd.edu/.
• (12) SFUSD Board approves short-term budget for 2021-22. https://sfbayview.com/2021/07/sfusd-board-approves-short-term-budget-for-2021-22/.

SFUSD scandals:

• - One of the most recent scandals involves Alison Collins, a school board member who filed a $87 million lawsuit against the district and five of her colleagues for stripping her of her vice-president title and committee assignments over her 2016 tweets that disparaged Asian Americans¹. The lawsuit claims that Collins was a victim of a "cancel culture" campaign orchestrated by the mayor, the city attorney, and wealthy donors who wanted to silence her voice on racial justice issues¹. The lawsuit also alleges that Collins was unfairly targeted for her criticism of the district's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its failure to reopen schools¹. The lawsuit has been widely criticized as frivolous, baseless, and self-serving by legal experts, community leaders, and parents¹.
• - Another scandal that drew national attention was the school board's decision to rename 44 schools that were named after historical figures who were deemed to have ties to slavery, oppression, racism, or genocide². The decision was made without consulting historians, educators, or the public, and relied on faulty research from a volunteer committee that used Wikipedia and other questionable sources². Some of the names that were slated to be changed included Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Paul Revere, and Dianne Feinstein². The decision sparked outrage and ridicule from across the political spectrum, and was challenged in court by a group of parents and alumni who argued that the board violated state law by not holding public hearings or considering the educational impact of the name changes². The board eventually suspended the renaming process and admitted that it had made mistakes².
• - A third scandal that has plagued the district for decades is the persistent achievement gap between white and Asian students and their Black and Latino peers³. Despite various attempts to desegregate schools, increase funding, and implement reforms, the district has failed to close the gap or improve the outcomes for its most disadvantaged students³. According to the 2019 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), only 19% of Black students and 23% of Latino students met or exceeded standards in English language arts, compared to 79% of Asian students and 72% of white students³. In math, only 12% of Black students and 16% of Latino students met or exceeded standards, compared to 77% of Asian students and 66% of white students³. The district also has one of the highest suspension rates for Black students in the state, and one of the lowest graduation rates for Black males in the nation³.

Bing, 8/29/2023

• (1) Alison Collins' strange and terrible $87M lawsuit - Mission Local. https://missionlocal.org/2021/04/alison-collins-strange-and-terrible-87m-lawsuit/.
• (2) Why San Francisco’s city government is so dysfunctional - The Economist. https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/08/28/why-san-franciscos-city-government-is-so-dysfunctional.
• (3) Facing Our Past, Changing Our Future, Part II: Five ... - SFUSD: Home. https://www.sfusd.edu/facing-our-past-changing-our-future-part-ii-five-decades-desegregation-sfusd-1971-today.

THE FUTURE IS NOW: HOW MEASURE QQ GIVES HIGH SCHOOLERS A VOICE... AND A VOTE

THE FUTURE IS NOW: HOW MEASURE QQ GIVES HIGH SCHOOLERS A VOICE... AND A VOTE

Attention all high school students in Oakland! Get ready to exercise your right to vote because Measure QQ is coming to town! That's right, the voting age for school board elections is being lowered to 16, and it's not just any ordinary civics lesson, it's a real-life one!

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Wait, I can barely decide what to wear to school, how am I supposed to decide who should be on the school board?" Well, fear not my young friends, because you are not alone. Many adults also struggle with this decision. But hey, at least you don't have to worry about paying taxes yet, so that's a plus!

Measure QQ was approved by 67% of Oakland voters in the 2020 general election. It was supported by a coalition of youth organizations who argued that young people should have a voice in the laws that affect their lives. And let's be real, who knows more about what's going on in schools than the students themselves?

But not everyone was on board with this idea. Some people argued that 16-year-olds are not mature enough to participate in elections, or that they would be influenced by their parents or teachers. Well, newsflash, adults can also be influenced by their families and friends. And let's be honest, some of them are not exactly the most mature people either.

The implementation of Measure QQ has been delayed due to technical and legal challenges. The Alameda County Registrar of Voters has not made the necessary changes to its voter databases and ballots to accommodate the younger voters. But don't worry, we'll get there eventually. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was a fair and just electoral system.

If Measure QQ is implemented by 2024, 16- and 17-year-olds in Oakland will be able to vote in the school board races for Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7. That means you will have a say in who represents your district and makes decisions about your education. So start doing your research now and get ready to cast your vote!

To make things even more exciting, the youth vote coalition is planning to host a candidate forum at Fremont High School in October for the special election taking place in November to fill the vacant school board seat in District 5. And the school district's student government association, All City Council, will endorse a candidate through a mock youth vote. So not only will you get to vote for real in a few years, but you can also practice your voting skills now.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But what if I make the wrong choice?" Well, my young friend, that's the beauty of democracy. Sometimes we make mistakes, but we learn from them and we keep moving forward. And if all else fails, just remember to vote for the candidate with the funniest name. Works every time.

In all seriousness though, lowering the voting age is a step towards creating a more inclusive and democratic society. It gives young people a voice and empowers them to shape their own future. So let's embrace this opportunity and show the world that we are ready to be active and engaged citizens.

In conclusion, Measure QQ is not just a civics lesson, it's a chance for young people to make a real difference in their community. So let's get out there and show everyone what we're made of! And remember, when in doubt, always vote for the candidate with the funniest name.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and register to vote! And who knows, maybe one day you'll be running for office yourself. Just don't forget about us little people when you're in charge.

Oakland youth could vote in school board elections as early as 2024 https://oaklandside.org/2023/08/28/oakland-youth-vote-measure-qq-2024-school-board-election/

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BING AI

Measure QQ, which lowers the voting age to 16 for OUSD board elections:

• - Measure QQ was a ballot measure that was approved by 67% of Oakland voters in the 2020 general election¹². It amended the city charter to authorize the city council to allow 16- and 17-year-olds who are otherwise eligible to vote under state and local law to vote for the office of school board director⁵.
• - The measure was supported by a coalition of youth organizations, such as Oakland Kids First, All City Council Student Union, and Youth Together, who argued that young people should have a voice in the laws that affect their lives and a stake in the future of their country¹². They also claimed that lowering the voting age would increase voter turnout and develop lifelong voting habits⁶.
• - The measure faced some opposition from people who believed that 16-year-olds are not mature enough to participate in elections, or that they would be influenced by their parents or teachers⁶⁷. Some also argued that the measure was unnecessary, since OUSD already has two student directors who are elected by students and can advise the board on issues affecting them⁷.
• - The implementation of Measure QQ has been delayed due to technical and legal challenges. The Alameda County Registrar of Voters, which oversees the elections in Oakland, has not made the necessary changes to its voter databases and ballots to accommodate the younger voters¹. There are also privacy concerns about how to protect the personal information of minors who register to vote¹.
• - In June 2023, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors directed the registrar to implement Measure QQ by the November 2024 general election¹. The Oakland City Council and the OUSD Board of Education must also pass resolutions detailing how voting will work for young people and who exactly is eligible¹.
• - If Measure QQ is implemented by 2024, 16- and 17-year-olds in Oakland will be able to vote in the school board races for Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7¹. These districts are currently represented by Sam Davis, VanCedric Williams, Mike Hutchinson, and Clifford Thompson, respectively¹¹. The candidates for these seats have not been announced yet.

Bing, 8/29/2023

• (1) Oakland youth could vote in school board elections as early as 2024. https://oaklandside.org/2023/08/28/oakland-youth-vote-measure-qq-2024-school-board-election/.
• (2) Home - Oakland Youth Vote. https://oaklandyouthvote.org/.
• (3) Oakland, California, Measure QQ, Allow 16-Year-Olds to ... - Ballotpedia. https://ballotpedia.org/Oakland,_California,_Measure_QQ,_Allow_16-Year-Olds_to_Vote_for_School_Board_Director_Charter_Amendment_%28November_2020%29.
• (4) Lowering the Voting Age – Top 3 Pros and Cons - ProCon.org. https://www.procon.org/headlines/lowering-the-voting-age-top-3-pros-and-cons/.
• (5) Pro and Con: Lowering the Voting Age in the United States. https://www.britannica.com/story/pro-and-con-lowering-the-voting-age-in-the-united-states.
• (6) How to attend OUSD school board meetings - oaklandside.org. https://oaklandside.org/2023/08/08/attend-ousd-oakland-school-board-meetings-2023-2024/.
• (7) What is Oakland's Measure QQ? A video explainer by Iris Crawford and .... https://oaklandvoices.us/2020/10/26/what-is-oaklands-measure-qq-a-video-explainer-by-iris-crawford-and-azucena-rasilla/.
• (8) Measure QQ: Lowering the voting age for school board races. https://oaklandside.org/2020/10/26/measure-qq-lowering-the-voting-age-for-school-board-races/.
• (9) Pros and Cons of Lowering the Voting Age - Benefits - proscons. https://prosconss.com/pros-and-cons-of-lowering-the-voting-age.
• (10) The pros and cons of lowering the voting age - Campaigning Info. https://campaigninginfo.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-lowering-the-voting-age/.
• (11) Pros and Cons of Lowering the Voting Age to 16 - Purposeful Politics. https://purposefulpolitics.com/pros-cons-lower-voting-age-to-16/.
• (12) 2022 Election: Meet the OUSD school board candidates for District 6 - MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/2022-election-meet-the-ousd-school-board-candidates-for-district-6/ar-AA12Wdss.
• (13) Who’s running for president in 2024? All the declared candidates. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2023/jun/17/2024-presidential-candidates-biden-trump-republicans-democrats.
• (14) OUSD school board race: Brouhard, Resnick, Bachelor pull ahead. https://oaklandside.org/2022/11/10/oakland-school-board-election-leading-candidates/.

NEW BS HIGH SCHOOL RANKING IS OUT: RICH KIDS STILL WINNING

NEW BS HIGH SCHOOL RANKING IS OUT: RICH KIDS STILL WINNING

Are you tired of hearing about the "best" schools in the country? Well, I've got news for you: those rankings are just a bunch of bullsh*t. All they really tell you is which schools have the richest kids and are located in the most affluent areas.

Let's take a look at the top 10 schools in the 2021 Best High Schools national rankings. Not a single one of them is a Title I majority school, meaning they don't have at least 40% of their students from low-income families. In other words, these schools are for rich kids only.

And don't even get me started on the demographics of these schools. Some of them have student bodies that are over 70% Asian. Others have more balanced racial and ethnic compositions, but they're still not representative of the real world.

But here's the real kicker: these rankings are just another way to measure how white a school is. Sure, they might claim to be looking at academic performance and other factors, but at the end of the day, it's all about how many rich white kids go there.

And if you really want to compare schools, just look at their budgets. The rich schools have all the resources they need to provide a top-notch education, while the poor schools are struggling just to keep the lights on.

So, next time you hear someone bragging about their school's ranking, just remember: it's all a bunch of bullsh*t. The real measure of a school's success is how well it serves ALL its students, not just the ones with trust funds.

High School Rankings Overview: Best High Schools https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/rankings-overview 

THE DEFT DIVE

According to the U.S. News & World Report, the top 10 schools in the 2021 Best High Schools national rankings are¹²:

1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)

2. Academic Magnet High School (SC)

3. The Davidson Academy of Nevada (NV)

4. Payton College Preparatory High School (IL)

5. School for Advanced Studies (FL)

6. Sumner Academy of Arts and Science (KS)

7. Merrol Hyde Magnet School (TN)

8. BASIS Chandler (AZ)

9. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology (GA)

10. Townsend Harris High School (NY)

None of these schools are Title I majority schools, meaning that they do not have at least 40% of their students from low-income families eligible for Title I funding⁵. In fact, most of these schools have very low percentages of students who are economically disadvantaged, ranging from 0.6% at Thomas Jefferson High School to 15.8% at Townsend Harris High School¹⁶.

The demographics of these schools also vary widely, reflecting the diversity of the communities they serve. For example, Thomas Jefferson High School has a student body that is 70% Asian, 20% White, 3% Hispanic and 2% Black¹⁶, while Townsend Harris High School has a student body that is 49% Asian, 25% White, 12% Hispanic and 9% Black¹⁶. Some schools have more balanced racial and ethnic compositions, such as Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, which has a student body that is 34% Black, 29% White, 24% Hispanic and 7% Asian¹⁶.

The economic conditions of the communities where these schools are located also differ significantly. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Fairfax County, Virginia, where Thomas Jefferson High School is located, was $124,831 in 2019¹⁷, while the median household income in Queens County, New York, where Townsend Harris High School is located, was $68,992 in 2019¹⁷. The poverty rates in these counties also vary, from 5.7% in Fairfax County to 13.4% in Queens County¹⁷.

Bing, 8/29/2023

• (1) U.S. News Announces 2021 Best High Schools Rankings - PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-news-announces-2021-best-high-schools-rankings-301277337.html.
• (2) Title I funding for schools: Interactive maps show your state's stakes. https://journalistsresource.org/economics/2020-census-title-i-maps/.
• (3) undefined. https://www2.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/consolidated/index.html.
• (4) undefined. https://eddataexpress.ed.gov/.
• (5) 2022-2023 Best National Universities | US News Rankings. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities.
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JOE BIDEN: WE MUST KEEP MARCHING TOWARD DR. KING'S DREAM

 

JOE BIDEN: WE MUST KEEP MARCHING TOWARD DR. KING'S DREAM

Joe Biden is president of the United States.

Joe Biden: We must keep marching toward Dr. King’s dream https://wapo.st/44oSV0c 

Sixty years ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and hundreds of thousands of fellow Americans marched on Washington for jobs and freedom. In describing his dream for us all, Dr. King spoke of redeeming the “promissory note to which every American was to fall heir” derived from the very idea of America — we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. While we’ve never fully lived up to that promise as a nation, we have never fully walked away from it, either. Each day of the Biden-Harris administration, we continue the march forward.

That includes a fundamental break with trickle-down economics that promised prosperity but failed America, especially Black Americans, over the past several decades. Trickle-down economics holds that taxes should be cut for the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations, that public investments in priorities such as education, infrastructure and health care should be shrunk, and good jobs shipped overseas. It has exacerbated inequality and systemic barriers that make it harder for Black Americans to start a business, own a home, send their children to school and retire with dignity.

Vice President Harris and I came into office determined to change the economic direction of the country and grow the economy from the middle out and bottom up, not the top down. Our plan — Bidenomics — is working. Because of the major laws and executive orders I’ve signed — from the American Rescue Plan, the bipartisan infrastructure law, the Chips and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, my executive orders on racial equity and more — we’re advancing equity in everything we do making unprecedented investments in all of America, including for Black Americans.

Black unemployment fell to a historic low this spring and remains near that level. More Black small businesses are starting up than we’ve seen in over 25 years. More Black families have health insurance. We cut Black child poverty in half in my first year in office. We are delivering clean water and high-speed internet to homes across America. We’re taking on Big Pharma to reduce prescription drug costs, such as making the cost of insulin for seniors $35 a month. We’re taking the most significant action on climate ever, which is reducing pollution and creating jobs for Black Americans in the clean energy future.

This administration will continue to prioritize increasing access to government contracting and lending. We awarded a record $69.9 billion in federal contracts to small, disadvantaged businesses in fiscal 2022. We’re taking on housing discrimination and increasing Black homeownership. To date, we’ve invested more than $7 billion in historically Black colleges and universities to prepare students for high-growth industries. We’ve approved more than $116 billion in student loan debt cancellation for 3.4 million Americans so that borrowers receive the relief they deserve. And a new student debt repayment plan is helping Black students and families cut in half their total lifetime payments per dollar borrowed. We’re doing all of this by making sure the biggest corporations begin to pay their fair share, keeping my commitment that Americans earning less than $400,000 a year not pay a single penny more in federal taxes.

And to help guide these policies, I made it a priority to appoint Black leaders to my Cabinet, my staff, in the judiciary and to key positions in agencies such as the Federal Reserve to ensure policymakers represent the experiences of all Americans in the economy.

But we know government can’t do it alone. Private-sector leaders have rightly acted to ensure their companies are more reflective of America, often in response to their employees, their customers and their own consciences. Right now, the same guardians of trickle-down economics who attack our administration’s economic policies are also attacking the private sector and the views of the American people. A recent poll from the nonpartisan Black Economic Alliance Foundation shows overwhelming bipartisan support for promoting diversity as central to a company being more innovative and more profitable, and central to fulfilling the promise of our country for all Americans. Despite the attacks, we all must keep pushing to create a workforce that reflects America.

For generations, Black Americans haven’t always been fully included in our democracy or our economy, but by pure courage and heart, they have never given up pursuing the American Dream. We saw in Jacksonville, Fla., yet another community wounded by an act of gun violence, reportedly fueled by hate-filled animus. We must refuse to live in a country where Black families going to the store or Black students going to school live in fear of being gunned down because of the color of their skin. On this day of remembrance, let us keep showing that racial equity isn’t just an aspiration. Let us reject the cramped view that America is a zero-sum game that holds that for one to succeed, another must fail. Let us remember America is big enough for everyone to do well and reach their God-given potential.

That’s how we redeem the promissory note of our nation.

Joe Biden: We must keep marching toward Dr. King’s dream https://wapo.st/44oSV0c