The GED privatization of 2014: another example of institutionalized racism

[pnwmom]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027515030

[underthematrix]

1. If we use this system, they will ruin our children

We need to push hard to get our families to get their children to graduate from high school and graduate from college. Black churches need to make education an absolute priority. While Fox, MSNBC and CNN feed white hate and violence, we need to make sure our children are ready and can compete for 21st century jobs. Let them have their hate. We want our children to have a degree. We need to stress STEM, STEM, STEM which is the future of the job and business markets. We need to encourage and support Black Wealth in their promotion and support of BLACK ACADEMIC excellence, excellence in health, excellence in social responsibility. Whenever we can we need to buy BLACK. We need to focus on the health of our communities and volunteer to mentor our children. We need to celebrate our excellence.

[pnwmom]

2. Helping drop-outs get the GED gives them another chance at COLLEGE

or in a technical program.

This isn't an either/or situation. We can BOTH do everything we can to help students succeed in K-12 AND assist them in an alternative pathway if they need it.

We have a student living with us who had to drop out through no fault of her own. She got her GED while taking classes at the community college, and now -- after getting her associates degree -- is successfully attending the university.

But the new test is making it harder for community groups and churches to help dropouts take the GED and move on to higher education.

Not every student can complete a high school program in the required 4 years and we should have another pathway for them to succeed. The old GED used to provide that for many. Now it doesn't.

[underthematrix]

3. That's fine. I'm just saying as an African American, I want our

children to go to high school and graduate. Since President Obama took office the numbers have gone up. I don't care if anyone else uses the GED approach. I'm just saying we need to focus on our children completing high school getting into college and graduating with a 21st century set of skills.

[pnwmom]

4. That's the very best thing for a parent to do. But not all young people have great parents --

like the one who's living with us -- and the changes in the GED are letting them down.

[underthematrix]

5. I hear you. I want to make use of a GED program rare in the AA community.

I think we need to get the word out that the program is designed to get money for students who are unlikely to be successful at completing their GED. We need to let it be known that students of color will be disproportionately affected.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. +100

And in lower income inner city and rural areas - those of us not there need to advocate for and support those that are there. Booker (I'm in horse country NJ) takes heat for his approach to education as the Mayor of Newark. But you know what? He didn't color inside the lines.

The lines presented by America suck - and any type of defiance that leads to academic and financial success that destroys the page in the coloring book . . . I'm all for.

[randys1]

7. Sounds to me like GED is a for profit bunch of horseshit that benefits rich

investors and further harms our children, Black and white.

Mostly Black probably, given realities in a racist society.

Who is responsible for it being privatized? maddening

What in the hell is wrong with this country?

Sure it is better than nothing, but that is what they want us to think, so we are forced to use it to their benefit.