Dear Editor,
The recent NGSA results painted several revealing pictures. There were the warm, feel good stories, that should incentivize others especially those who are struggling in different ways. There was the sharing about priorities and parent partnering from the lips of those who rose to the top of the heap, or somewhere in the top one percent. To the bright-eyed, innocents of the future, I say: well done in this very first test of dedication and application, and stamina and aptitude.
The public schools had a moment in the academic constellation with a couple of star contributors. That paltry presence highlights the gap between the haves and have-nots in this society; of, sure-to-be, questioned distance between energy and delivery commitments in the public-school system; and, of the contributions of the lessons culture and access to so much more. The latter is created at the classroom level; or from mandatory requirements that go unfulfilled because of circumstances. I must wonder how many of our promising are left behind because of lack of access, the existence of unaddressed needs. With all the money and programmes (and the rest) tossed around in this country where those potentials languish. Who recognizes something in them; cares for them; identifies them; and champions them? Who in this nation of talkers and preoccupied hustlers? How about each bigshot taking a couple young ones and mentoring, giving a helping hand? Lessen the overhang. Make a difference.
I read of the child of a laid off sugar worker, and there is a special joy that, even in the ashes of despair, there can be these glimmers of triumph. Appreciation comes because of demanding circumstances. The journey ahead is long; this student can achieve through continuing to challenge self and situation. So, too, can the others, including many not publicly named. It always hurts to learn of those, who could have, but didn’t because of subsistence finances. In a land of plenty, there are too many of them here. Still, circumstances can be conquered, as is proven time and again. There as this Bronx tale that glowed.
According to the New York Post headline (July 1) “Entire Bronx Success academy class aces statewide math exam.” In expanded form, “An entire Bronx charter school class in the nation’s poorest congressional district not only passed the Algebra I, Regents exams, but aced it.” And “taking the test in the eighth-grade puts students in a position to tackle advanced math classes like calculus in high school.” One more time: from the poorest congressional district in the United States. Now that is something to celebrate.
Some more: “90 percent of students qualified for free lunch.” That says something-a lot-about the poverty backgrounds of those students at the Success Academy in the gritty, wrong -side-of-the-tracks Bronx. Said teacher Karina Mateo, “I am not going to lower the bar. My idea is that not only everyone can do math, but that they can excel. I told this to parents and they believed me.” Parents are a mandatory and crucial part of the process. If not, a pivotal link is missing and the efforts of student and teacher can totter; just like any other structure. Interest and involvement and support. Not on report day only; or when positive news is forthcoming and camera opportunities occur; but in the hard, demanding moments of uncertainty, retreat, and societal hauteur.
Emphasis was placed on how critical the subject (math) is to ultimate success. And the “benefits of sustained diligence and focus.” Devoted parents (and teachers) can relate. No overnight sensations; rare the superstar who succeeds effortlessly; hard, heavy lifting uphill hour after demanding nocturnal hour. Taken to the extreme, the Talmud applaud ruining a life in study.
Charter schools, like this Bronx Academy, have come in for their share of opposition. They persevere. In the face of that opposition, “demand for charter schools continue to swell -especially in poor minority communities with grim alternatives.” Usually poor and minority includes Guyanese in NY. Usually poor means many children living right here in the hometowns, depressed areas, and rustic, rural villages. I encourage my fellow citizens to give something: a book, a few hours weekly, some much-needed mentoring.
The school’s principal Todd Genilcore, said this piece of timeless advice to parents: “establish strong work habits” through “making sure that they are taking the time every night to study. Making sure that they do what they have to do without distraction.” This means those devices (ear mikes, phones, absentee parenthood, competing priorities) are all put on hold. Vigilance and effort reward.
I notice that results for English tailed off. I think that is a sad commentary on the negatives of technology, television, social media, and that kiss of death: disinterest and decline in extensive reading. Truth be told, many adults in this country are not much better off. Meagerness of reading means lack of oxygen contributing to stunting of growth, be it for examinations or routine communications or articulations on the larger issues of life. I would venture that most, if not all, of those top performers are voracious readers, whether by necessity or for the sheer love of it.
There is personal delight in recognizing the cream, the overperformers, even as I reflect on the fate of the underachievers, under-involved parents, and uncaring adults who are better off and who could do more. I have serious issues with the CXC system, cheating educators, and governments repeatedly stuck with what leaves behind a growing army of unequipped for either the world or oil. The silver linings are still seized.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall