Definitions for FIGHT

Let's have a chat about some basics in structuring FIGHT. It might be a good idea to have a chat about definitions of what we want and what the steps are. Then, it will be more clear about who should be a part of the coalition we need to build.

Godfrey asked about the target age range we are focusing on. I replied that there are people who are struggling for universal preschool for 4 year olds. I support that fight. However, there are states wherein kindergarten is not mandatory. Many poor children are appearing at school for the 1st time in 1st grade. Universal kindergarten should be achieved before universal preschool -- or hand-in hand..

The college struggle for affirmative action is a little more difficult than K-12 education because this society does not support universal college education. If they don't believe that a college education is a right, it is harder to make the case that inequities in that level of education are a concern. In some societies (Africa) parents pay for K-12 education for their children. The government pays for those who qualify to attend college. Ours is just the opposite.

First grade through the age of 16 should be our target group, in my opinion because the Supreme Court has ruled that the state has a fiduciary obligation to provide such education. I say through the age of 16 because that is the legal drop out age. Brown v. the Board of Education affirmed that K-12 education cannot be "separate but equal." So we have a legal foundation for an argument that it is the responsibility of the state to make it equal.

The next step is a definition of what exactly we want. I think we should chat about that. I have said equity of outcomes. That means that government cannot just sprinkle money over the problem and say that they have fulfilled their obligation. As long as we maintain that child outcomes is the standard, then, if more money is required to enable African American children to meet the standard, then they must go beyond equal resources. Jonathan Kozol would argue that children who do not have an equal start require more to reach the finish line.

There are some issues that we will have to factor in. What do we do about school districts that are too top heavy (expensive) administratively? How do we get at African Americans who are in charge with plenty of money and the outcomes are not there?

These comments are just to get the ball rolling. Perhaps you have addressed these issues in your papers. But, it would be nice to have a chat wherein everyone can speak. Holla Back.