The Pandemic on the education of poor children

In Louisiana, the governor put the state on lockdown on March 13, 2019. At that time, some school districts had developed some form of instruction either a hybrid or an online method. Other school districts had nothing in place and had to work to come up with a plan. So, in essence, poor and minority children who were by the standardized in place behind and became further behind. This pandemic has created havoc on the education of children. I also feel it as played havoc on the teachers and staff at most schools.

Virtual learning is hard on children of color who might also be poor. If their parents are working, then they are left in the care of grandparents or other elderly relatives. The persons left to care for them may have good intentions but may not be knowledgeable about technology at all. So, if the school district provided laptops or other computer instruments to connect for virtual learning these students may not have any help at home so learning becomes much less than what one would experience in face to face.

All data across the United States show poor and minority trailing white and Asian children by considerable amounts. Since we know this, now is the time to look at new models that might be in the best interest of these children. The old models only got these children so far and left many behind. So, what does it take to have a successful 12 education if you are minority and poor? The only thing I know is that caring teachers who knew me and my family were concerned about my education and focused on me. These teachers also were in constant contact with my family (my parents never got pass the seventh grade). So first I know we must get back to a caring group of teachers who have a relationship with the parents. Does it matter if we are in integrated schools? I believe that does not matter at all, what matters is high quality leadership with the administrator (principal) who is monitoring the classroom work. The only thing that matters is what is being done in the classroom. So, administrators must have that ability to understand curriculum and be willing to help classroom teachers improve their teaching. Formative assessments should be a staple for schools so that the principal can see and understand what is happening in the classroom and either go in and teach for the teacher to show how it is done or provide mandatory extra training. If you believe like I believe then you know it is only what is done in the classroom that educates children.

We have been so focused on integration of schools we removed the most important aspect of quality education which is relationships, teacher student relationship, teacher parent relationship and teacher, parent, and community relationships. Good established relationships can cause even BaeBae’s children to want to learn and to learn.

In today’s paper, Walter Williams has an editorial on why learning has stopped in urban schools which are traditionally full of poor and minority students. His article truly helps me in my current position on education and that position is simple, minority members of this country must demand quality education and we must demand high quality minority educators.

Let us take this pandemic and start to think of a new model for the education of poor and minority children. We have new leadership which in my mind says let us get this administration to get a new model for our children.

– Linda Johnson
former member Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

This article originally published in the December 7, 2020 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.