U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is on a mission: He wants to tour several historically black colleges and speak directly with African-American male students about teaching in the nation’s public schools.

It’s a bold and unprecedented initiative – and comes at a critical time for black America.

Consider this: Only 1.7 percent of the nation’s 4.8 million public school teachers are black men. Most black boys may never be educated by someone who looks like them, and sadly, some African-American boys will never experience a black male role model in their public school classrooms.

“And people ask why black males are struggling," Duncan said in a recent interview. “I’ve talked to the first lady about it. I plan to visit black colleges and talk to freshmen and sophomores. I want to talk to them about a call to service."

One of Duncan's first opportunities to speak with black students will be at Xavier University in New Orleans, where he is scheduled to speak in May, his aides told BlackAmericaWeb.com Thursday.

Duncan's plan to persuade young black men to teach for a living after they graduate college is an important initiative for the African-American community and may even silence some Republican critics who claim President Barack Obama has no fresh ideas.

Duncan’s idea is not only innovative; it’s also sound leadership.

He deserves credit for being forward-thinking, and it all starts with Obama, who urges Duncan – and other Cabinet members – to think outside the box and to brainstorm in unconventional ways.

This certainly qualifies for unconventional. When is the last time a presidential Cabinet-level member walked onto a black college campus to ask black male students to teach in inner city schools?

Here’s a thought: Never.

Let’s face it: The public school system has failed black males. The graduation rate for African-American boys is abysmal; many black male students drop out early, and they are expelled at a much higher rate than white students. Black boys make up nine percent of public school enrollments, but 20 percent of those identified as mentally challenged.  

Some black parents voted for Obama, in part, because they were hoping he could reform America’s troubled public school system and help improve the quality of education for black males.   

Obama has made education a top priority during his tenure, and although he has not specifically discussed the issue of black males directly, he has instructed his senior staff to address the myriad of problems facing black public school students.  

So the Obama administration should take Duncan’s idea one step further. If there are black college students interested in administrative opportunities in public schools, then government should find ways to help them finance their advanced studies that are necessary for jobs as principals and top managerial positions.

But first Duncan must deliver a convincing sales pitch. Teaching in public schools, especially in urban centers, can be tough work.

Take Detroit, for example. Officials call many of Detroit’s overcrowded and worse-performing schools “an academic crisis.” Textbooks have arrived nine months after the first day of school. Many students come from poor families where parents are not involved in the educational process. Teachers are overwhelmed and dealing with students who have been abused and neglected, and some teachers have been attacked by out of control students. 

Public school teaching is not for everyone, but Duncan’s plan is solid and worthy of praise. America needs more African-American male teachers – 1.7 percent is troubling. And it’s not just about numbers, but also what black male teachers offer: Positive images for black boys. They help motivate black males to reach their full potential, they teach them to respect black women and help promote healthy and .....

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Thanks Jazflutesmith, well said. It's not like all don't KNOW this but we should continually remind ourselves because of soooooo many around here promoting the "victim" mentality.

by   
Fj1200
February 20, 2010, 12:27 pm
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We are having children now to get a check. I mentioned before single parents in my building, some mothers are working on their 8th child, pregnant AGAIN. The other children, their needs are not met. It is crazy. The are more tangibles that need to be placed in the equation.

by   
Jazflutesmith
February 20, 2010, 12:13 pm
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Being only responsible for going to the birthing clinic to have a child is sooo sad. Being responsible for making sure your child gets free stuff is soooo sad. We give them food for the weekend, tennis shoes, book bags, coats, and whatever. They KNOW no responsibility so they come to school without the manners and normalcy. No person in education wants to deal with these type of people. The children grow up mad, thinking they are entitled to free rent, food, clothes and they KNOW NO Responsibility to self

by   
Jazflutesmith
February 20, 2010, 12:10 pm
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I do not have my glasses on so if I make an error please forgive me. Parents must teach their children. TWO PARENTS must teach their children the following nuances: manners, hygiene, the value of WORKING AT A JOB and not running to the welfare office. Parents must be accountable for births. I have parents at my school, single parents that keep getting pregnant each year. At my school we have 12 parents with 6 plus children. They lack fundamentals of being a citizen, they think everything is to be given to them without question.

by   
Jazflutesmith
February 20, 2010, 12:02 pm
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All this criticism; needed system change; who and what needs to be integrated, etc… warranted to some degree; but the MOST significant variable requiring change is ignored…that being, parents. Parents are obliged to prepare kids, and remain vigilant. Countless BLACKs never had black MALE teachers; but where trained properly AT HOME, went into the world, and did/do well. Proper analysis would reveal that most black males failed “by the system” have similar dysfunctions in their homes that predate involvement with the system. System reform is a smaller problem; lives first, then system.

by   
WhatIThink
February 20, 2010, 7:03 am
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...notrump you are a seriously paranoid dude. Every issue raised on this forum you claim so kind of racism- it's plaid guy. If others dont see things your way doesnt make them wrong; Stop believing that myself, uncletom, hoodtechie and anyone else that regularly disagrees with you are the same person. That is not true, sir. Now: Teachers are hired to give instruction period. If your child cannot learn, refuses to listen and learn or does not show for class that is not the teachers problem. It is a parental problem. There is some parental responsibility in teaching.

by   
MacBen
February 19, 2010, 6:33 pm
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(cont’d) Yet those who view BAW regularly will still be able to get a laugh, as long as this klansman, who comes on here calling himself, “uncletom, hoodtechie, fj1200, awf, pollypocket, macben, whatIstink, Mrdon’tknowaDAMNTHING, etc, etc, keeps trying to pretend he’s a negro uncletom. He stupidly believes he can convince someone. Here he tries to appear REASONABLY levelheaded, so his next comments denigrating President Obama will sound like he’s really Clarence Thomas, rather than the dumber-than-a-5th-grader racist klansman who dwells in a trailer-park.

by   
Sevennotrump
February 19, 2010, 5:04 pm
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Black people in racist America, face a number of obstacles, from the racists in Congress being willing to throw away the country’s future ( if that’s what it takes to prevent having it look as if a Black man restored what illiterate gwb flushed down the toilet), to the need for more Black men as teachers (cont’d).

by   
Sevennotrump
February 19, 2010, 5:02 pm
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Not only do we need a lot more black teachers, we also need more people to start stepping up and becoming mentors and role models within our communities or nothing is ever going to change. We have to get rid of that 'I got mine, you better get yours' mentality that a lot of people have today if we really want to change how we are perceived and help change and shape the image of future generations.

by   
Mh619
February 19, 2010, 4:50 pm
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While I understand all of the posters, I have to disagree. The problem is the black family. God ordained the black family to operate in a certain order: Man, woman, childern. A woman will NEVER be able to teach a boy to be a man. Until we restore order in the black family(all families for that matter) there will always be societal problems. The issues of educational deficiencies and high black incarceration can be solved when we repair black families. The good news we don't need a government program for that, just a commitment to God.

by   
Uncletom
February 19, 2010, 4:19 pm
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What you been smokin Cottman? Educational divide aint gonna be fixed by more Black male teachers. We need BETTER, more accountable and motivated teachers of all flavors. We need to legislate school vouchers to stop the redlining of our kids and to break down the stranglehold the NEA has on our educational system. Underpaid? BS, they are OVERPAID. They only go to work 9 months a year and most of em refuse to put forth an effort for that time. The answer is not Black male teachers it is drivin out the corruption in the existing educational system.

by   
Fj1200
February 19, 2010, 3:21 pm
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There is a real need for black male teachers in all levels of school, those that are dedicated to rebuilding the education system from the inside out, and those that will increase accountability for the students, for themselves, for the parents, for the administration as well so the education system and the US as a whole can benefit.

Great blog that discusses this principle here: http://providencemovie.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/it-really-does-take-a-village-%e2%80%a6-the-nea-stands-in-support-of-community-involvement/

by   
ProvidenceMovie
February 19, 2010, 3:05 pm
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We do need more black male teachers, especially at the high school level in rough neighborhoods.
BUT you need a college degree to teach and teacher pay is low. Many men are not excited about being in a classroom and don't have the patience for rude or disrespectful kids.
You hafta love kids and love your subject to be a good teacher. Low pay and disrespectful kids keep most black men away...................................

by   
BigBlackW
February 19, 2010, 2:33 pm
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If We Save Our Children We Save America
Baltimore, Maryland 21207
www.wesaveourchildrenwesaveamerica.com
timetosaveourchildren@gmail.com
(410) 265-8903 (H/O) (704) 848-8868



To: My Fellow African Americans & All Americans Citizens

Re: Stop Procrastinating & Step-Up To Save Our Children

Dear One & All,


God has been trying to direct me for more than twenty some years and I have been moving in His directions but also allowing Satan to step-in and pull me off track.

You Can Contact Me Through The Above Information. I

by   
Time To Save Our Children
February 19, 2010, 2:23 pm
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I think a major problem is the low starting salaries for teachers versus their student loan debts. If there were a program that could repay the majority of this debt for those willing to teach in troubled neighborhoods, maybe that might help. I don't know if it would be legal to target Black males alone for this loan relief. However, private organizations could offer scholarships to targeted groups, like Black males, with the provision that they spend a few years teaching kids in troubled neighborhoods.

by   
CAmira
February 19, 2010, 2:22 pm
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That's All For Now But You Better Believe I Will Be Back. My Name Is David Johnson & I Am A Writer, Author, Motivational Poet, Speaker & Mentor For Our Children & Our "So-Called" Men & Women. Until We Start Caring About Our Children, We Are Merely, males and females. Wake-up & See And Smell, Our Intentional Destruction.

by   
Time To Save Our Children
February 19, 2010, 2:19 pm
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If you are going to have a baby wait until you have a degree and a Man
If you are a Real Man, find yourself a Real Woman and have Real Unity
To survive we must stop ignoring the problems and come up with a plan
Trust me; our enemies are truly laughing and “Enjoying Our Stupidity”

by   
Time To Save Our Children
February 19, 2010, 2:15 pm
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Females only want males if they have money, looks and a long body part
Males only want females they can boss around, sleep with and impregnate
Tell me, when will the males and females stop and Men & Women start
Instead of homes males and females are going to graves or a prison gate

Some politicians are trying hard to pass laws that will eventually hurt us
President Obama is trying to show us the right road to travel to success
Instead of paying attention, all we seem to do is get drunk, kill and cuss
Come on Brothers and Sisters, for our children’s sake let’s end this mess

by   
Time To Save Our Children
February 19, 2010, 2:14 pm
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Difference, instead of our enemies killing us, we are killing ourselves
People with brains and knowledge are trying to make a difference
Our enemies and the brainless are saying “let them kill themselves”
Males treat Children, our Elderly and Women with such indifference

Brothers, we have got to wake-up and see we are headed for destruction
Sisters all around us can see it and they are trying hard to make a change
Ignoring the problems will not bring our jailing and deaths to a reduction
Instead of good parents, children only have baby makers gone derange

by   
Time To Save Our Children
February 19, 2010, 2:13 pm
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ENJOYING OUR STUPIDITY
By: David W. Johnson, Jr.

As African Americans we are just beyond mentally dead or asleep
Everyday all you hear about is numerous dead adults and children
Some care less about our children and more about a cow or sheep
Our children have so few Men or Women on whom they can depend

Everyday you hear males and females talking about helping our kids
Right after the talking the next thing you hear is, “send a donation”
It’s like cars at an auction; our young people’s lives are up for bids
It is as though African Americans were back living on a plantation

by   
Time To Save Our Children
February 19, 2010, 2:12 pm
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Men, is what is missing in our children lives these days
Males are sending young people to graves and the pen
Men it is left up to us to show children the right ways
Males, learn the “Difference Between Males And Men”

Where Have All The Men Gone

by   
Time To Save Our Children
February 19, 2010, 2:10 pm
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Men work two jobs to support their families if need be
Males spend their money on car rims before their child
Men try to help their children earn a diploma and degree
Males think that their underwear showing is really a style

Men teach their sons to respect women and the elderly
Males on the other hand teach them to respect no one
Men take their children to the parks so they can play
Males teach their siblings that a loaded handgun is fun

by   
Time To Save Our Children
February 19, 2010, 2:09 pm
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Men do not leave their sons alone to be raised by a gang
Males hang on street corners instead of going to school
Men teach children about education not about slang
Males run the streets selling drugs and acting like fools

Men know education is the key to survival and success
Males brains is below the belt not above the shoulders
Men, for their families always try to do their very best
Males are cell and grave fillers, not employment holders

by   
Time To Save Our Children
February 19, 2010, 2:04 pm
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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND MALES
by: David W. Johnson, Jr.

Males, how quickly they can brag about being men
Men, children are in direr need of our quick return
Males are taking our children down the road of sin
Men, from us about Real Life children could learn

Men sometimes go to jail for protecting their family
Males go to jail for robbery, rape, and other stupidity
Men show women love, appreciation and hospitality
Males leave women with babies and a lack of stability

by   
Time To Save Our Children
February 19, 2010, 2:03 pm
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We need to “Save Our People.” Especially our young males. God’s and our enemies want to destroy them because they know if they do, they can erase the African Americans. I am sure you remember what happened to the Indians.

Brothers and Sisters, God has told me to tell you to stop hanging out with Satan, or just doing nothing while our enemies are constantly planning how to destroy our Race.

by   
Time To Save Our Children
February 19, 2010, 2:00 pm
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Out of curiosity, I looked up the word "since" in my office dictionary (Websters). The third definition listed is "inasmuch as; because." According to this dictionary, Hoodtechie's sentence beginning with, "Since most men..." does seem to make sense.

by   
CAmira
February 19, 2010, 1:57 pm
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If your dumb-azz was a graduate of ANY college (except Barber or Clown College) you would have taken English 101 & 102. You would then know better than to begin sentences with the conjunction “But”. You would also know better than to write “Since most men…” when you should have written “As most men…” Since" (you idiot), means the period between a past time and the present time, "as" (used as a preposition) means “to the extent that..." Ergo, you could properly say, “As most men are…” You show you need to study for your GED when you write, “Since most men are…” Engineer that.

by   
Sevennotrump
February 19, 2010, 1:20 pm
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Sure. That engineering degree is just as likely a figment of your psychotic imagination (formally called schizophrenia) as you being an African-American. Your racist azz is just seizing what YOUR DUMB-AZZ views as an opportunity to discourage any REAL Blacks who may be pursuing the field of teaching. If you do have an engineering degree (which I doubt) go try to find a job with it and stop appearing on BAW under 15 different usernames trying to cast aspersions on President Obama, you racist-pig!

by   
Sevennotrump
February 19, 2010, 1:04 pm
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First of all you must have a passion and patience to be a teacher male or female. I as a black male have an electrical engineering degree, unless I have a passion or patience to teach how can I justify making a salary of 40k compared to making 90k annually. Since most men are the head of households in which direction will most of them go? But to do my part I do offer tutoring in math and science free of charge to students who need help, but as far as teaching to be honest I don't think I have the patience to deal with the school system as a career.Just being honest in my views.

by   
Hoodtechie2
February 19, 2010, 12:30 pm
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This is a good initiative to attract Black males into the classroom. While they are at it they should review the HIGHLY controversial and discriminatory AID ELIMINATION PROVISION of the Higher Education Act. It prevents individuals who were convicted of drug offences from obtaining financial aid. What happened to rehabilitation?
Soul- I wouldn’t care how much money they pay… How could anyone work within a system that purposely target young Black males and females? Education is defiantly the key…

by   
Dopamine
February 19, 2010, 12:09 pm
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