Feedback "Left Behind"

An Open Letter

 Hello Bars and Warfare

I believe that the no child left behind act is one of the best things for the black community. It pushes children to do well like their classmates. The blog post "left behind" is a jab to any parent that tries their best to take care of their child. Be more about the parents too, when talking about people's kids. 

My Son James Moss Jr is now a Student at AIU and Majoring in Fashion Design 

 Linda Moss

Response: "Left Behind" 

For: Linda Moss

Dear Linda

Firstly, let me start by expressing that I appreciate all feedback regarding my article “Left Behind”.  The main objective of this blog post was to “stop pushing our children through the school system, and teach them effectively and consistently”.  By the time our children reach 12^th grade, you wonder why they are not passing the graduation exams (State of Georgia) needed to graduate. The article has nothing to do with challenging parenting skills or the student’s background. I want Educators to give that academic foundation needed for our children to be successful in the future. 

We want our children to overcome the obstacles and challenges needed to learn and to understand the importance of education.  So many people before us have made it possible to even obtain any level of education without all the barriers (racism, sexism).  I know you are an awesome Mother!!  I could tell how passionate you are when I read your response.  Again, this article was written NOT to take jabs at parents but to raise awareness to Educators.

Lastly, congratulations to your son James!!! AIU is my alma mater.  I completed the Bachelor’s and Master’s program there.  I am currently in the Doctoral program at Argosy University. That academic foundation that I speak of has gotten me this far on my academic journey.

As long as I am alive, I will fight for the education and rights of our children.

 

Author D. Reid

Left behind

 

THE CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE

On my journey to work this morning, I was in serious thought.  The thoughts running through my mind reflected on the future of our children, the future of education.  One thing that bothered me the most was the “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND” theory.  What exactly does this theory mean?

The “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND” was supposedly designed to make sure all children have equal education and the opportunity to move forward through academic challenges?  Yes, I stated in the form of a question.  I am perplexed because if a child is going from Grade 3 to 4 without the foundations that are supposed to be set by educators, are they NOT left behind.  If a child is continuously transitioning from one grade level to another without the proper guidance, how lost will they be as adults.  I am really trying to wrap my mind around this concept.  

When I was an Undergrad student, I had a work study job at an elementary school (which will remain nameless).  I realized how those kids were being slighted and how the educators were honestly, there for a paycheck.  I could count on one hand the number of educators that had the passion for building the students for success.  Being a male, I realized that there's a need for educators. There is not a high population of male educators.  In a conversation with the only male educator in the school, he gave me a few reasons why the male educator population is low.  Mr. X (educator’s real name will not be used) informed me that the “sign of times” changed how males approached education.  Mr. X’s explanation by that statement was that an educator’s approach to structure, organization and discipline had been compromised.  Educators are limited to how they speak to students, how they interact with students, and how they discipline students.

As a 2nd grader in elementary school, I can remember my teacher’s name, her name was Annie Daniels.  She had to have been about 50ish (at that time).  Ms. Daniels was one of those “old school” educators.  Keep in mind, when I was in elementary school, teachers had the power to paddle. If you don’t know what paddling is, it’s basically “getting a spanking by your teacher”.  During my elementary school years, teachers gave a damn about YOU as well as the educational foundation they established.  To this day I think about how lucky I was to have such caring, understanding and respected educators.  Please understand that I am not saying that they don’t exist right now.  I am just starting to believe they are slowly becoming extinct.

As far as this “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND” theory, I just want all children to get the same level of education.  It takes a village to raise a child and obviously some of the villagers have left the building.  My whole purpose of working towards my Doctorate is so that it will be a vehicle for me to enter education full throttle.  Our children deserve to learn.  Our children deserve to be giving all the tools and resources that will help them lay down the foundation for their future.

 

WAKE UP AND LET’S GET OUR CHILDREN EDUCATED!!!!! TEACH THEM WELL AND LET THEM LEAD THE WAY.

 

AUTHOR  D. REID

 

 

High Achievement

 Matter of the Minds!

A Doctorate degree should be more than just achieving two letters in front of your name.  Many potential students do not realize that working towards a dissertation is continued work. 

 A dissertation is a multifaceted research project.  There have been a sizeable number of Doctoral students who have completed their coursework, passed their comprehensive exams, but NEVER have completed their dissertations.  You may wonder how this might happen.  For example, were these students who did not complete their dissertations really scholarly imposters who did not possess sufficient knowledge and skills?  The question is what can Doctoral students do to avoid this happening?

First you have to successfully complete all required coursework.  Secondly you have to take the comprehensive exams which covers all of the coursework from day one.  From what I have been informed from faculty as well as Doctoral students, it is probably the most challenging, intense moments in your life.  Failing the comprehensive exam(s) is NOT an option.  If you do not have the tools and resources in the beginning of the Doctoral program you will not succeed in completing the comprehensive exams!!  Then, there is the dissertation phase of the program.  This is when the umbilical cord is detached and you are left to research all alone.  You will not be completely alone, you will have your Chair Committee, other faculty members and not to forget your Doctoral community.

 

Keep in mind, I am a first year Doctoral student at Argosy University, a small private institution in Atlanta.  Taking the step of even considering my education and its direction was definitely a process.  The process was exactly one year.  I kept contemplating if pursuing yet another degree would benefit me personally and professionally.  There were so many decisions that had to be made, so little time.  If anyone would have told me that academically I would be in this particular space, I would have laughed.  I have always been a strong advocate for education.  There was a time when among African Americans, education was taboo. 

 There have been so many before us that made it possible to pursue education. As I‘ve gotten older, I realized my purpose.  My purpose is to encourage, motivate and build individuals for academic success.  Being an Educator is the main reason for pursuing this Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership.  There is such a gap between education and recidivism and I want to bridge that gap with further research.

When I mention that gap in research between education and recidivism, I speak from a place of being an employee with the Department of Corrections.  I have found that there are not enough education based programs that will assist in recidivism.

 

Since being in the Doctoral program, I have seen how the challenges differ from that of Undergraduate and Graduate School. When completing coursework previously, your opinion and your perspective mattered.  In the Doctoral program, your opinion does not matter.  Everything depends on the research and your findings.  Another challenge I faced was that of my writing.  Writing on the Doctoral level is totally different.  Your critical thinking plays a major role in how your extract information from empirical reviewed articles.  Citing materials are crucial to how you support your findings.

 

I have suggested to those who are furthering their education to take advantage of all resources.  For instance, get acquainted with your university/college library.  Get to know the faculty on a first name basis.  The writing lab is MY best friend.  Of course you will get feedback from your professor(s) but when in doubt, take advantage of the writing lab in your campus library.

 

A Doctoral community is detrimental to completing coursework and even preparing for your comprehensive exams.  I had to swallow my pride and realize I cannot get through this program alone.  I needed the help of my peers for encouragement and support. With that being said, it takes a village to complete the Doctorate program.

 

In closing, I want to say that being a Doctoral student has definitely given me a certain respect from others.  It has definitely challenged my critical thinking and has made me realized how lucky and fortunate I am to be pursuing something so awesome and so rewarding. 

Author Darrell Reid