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Kitchen Table Conversation Draws Big Crowd and Generates Great Ideas
Approximately 200 parents, students, staff members and community members attended the first Kitchen Table Conversation for 2009-10 on September 15. The Durham Association of Educators (DAE) joined the Board of Education in sponsoring the event.
Redefining Futures: Achieving Academic Success for All African-American Males was the topic for the evening’s discussion. Facilitators, primarily teachers who are members of the DAE, assisted in leading the discussion.
The DAE and DPS are developing a proposal for a national grant to improve academic success for African-American males in selected schools. DAE and DPS are seeking input from stakeholders toward the development of a proposal to the National Educators Association Foundation. If funded, the grant would implement strategies for closing achievement gaps among African-American males and their peers. Data analysis identified African-American males as an audience of most urgent need.
Among the ideas suggested by those attending to address the challenge of supporting African-American males included: raising expectations; cultural sensitivity training for teachers; more African-American role models, teachers and mentors; parent workshops/training; early intervention/support; more partnerships; and replicating best practices. The summary of the evening's discussion is available online.
The other Kitchen Table Conversation to be held this year is on the topic of Secondary Grading Practices. It is planned for Thursday, January 14 at Rogers-Herr Middle School. Watch the DPS Website for sign-up information.
