Battle Zones vs. Learning Zones

The recent violent attacks at America’s schools are alarming, since school is a place where children are supposed to be infused with knowledge and not threatened, intimidated or killed. I am very concerned about the state of America’s schools –academically, socially and culturally. Many of our children are dropping out too soon, while others are just afraid to show up due to fear. We encourage our children to attend school while not realizing that we may be sending them into a battle zone. Years ago this type of violence was nearly nonexistent and police patrolling schools was unheard of. Look how far we’ve come, America. I believe school choice will give parents, especially those parents that fear for their children’s welfare at school, more options to either home school, use virtual schools or attend faith based schools.

Mothers, more educational opportunities will empower us. It will give us greater control over how and where we decide to educate our children. We will be able to take our children out of battle zones and put them into learning zones.


Rita Davenport, Guest Writer
A Mom On A Mission

My Children, Your Children

I am a married mom with three beautiful children. Two of my children are in public school and one is in private school. Why is only one child in private school? Because I have found that this is the best environment for this child. I believe the debate about school choice is about just that – each child getting his or her specific needs met in a school environment that works for that child. I know parents that are less fortunate than I am that would love the opportunity to send their children to a different school – public or private. But simply because they live in a certain zip code, they are not able to change schools. Many have wanted to use my address just so that their child can attend a better school. The system is making criminals out of mothers who just want the best for their children. School choice – we need a lot of it – and we need it now. My babies will get a good education, but there are so many that will not. As a mother, this breaks my heart, because I am concerned about the welfare of all children in South Carolina, and not just my own. This is my compassion as a human being, my mission as a mother and my responsibility as a citizen of this state.

Mothers, come with me on this journey to better education in South Carolina. Let’s not be afraid of naysayers that tell us we are wrong. We must stand strong for our children and lead the way for more educational opportunities.

Rita Davenport, Guest Writer
A Mom On A Mission

MOORE DISRESPECTS NAACP!

Democratic candidate for Governor, Tommy Moore, has refused to attend the NAACP conference in Augusta, Georgia. This strategy is either brilliant or very stupid. I find the reasoning for his refusal troubling! Why brilliant? Well….Moore knows that he can’t win with just Democratic votes. He needs a sizeable number of Independent and Republican votes. So, he decides to piss off his “presumed” base, in hopes of “playing” the race card to excite those Whites that have no regard for the venerable organization, the NAACP. Plus, “no show” Tommy Moore needs all the free publicity he can get, (have you seen this guy on TV lately?) Senator Moore’s snub of the NAACP cast him as standing tall as a strong Anglo-Saxon male against the troublesome NAACP. Some Whites, and ironically some Blacks, will view that as a positive and give the Senator a thumps up. (Don’t hold your breath!) However…! He just angered his base! The NAACP may not represent all Black people, but perception is golden. Blacks have been more loyal to the Democratic Party than Robin to Batman. If anything, Moore should have been very accommodating, because he just can’t afford to ignore Black people.

The Republican Governor, Mark Sanford, will be at the NAACP Conference, taking heat, but sharing his ideas and goals on why South Carolina must move forward with lower taxes, more educational choices for poor parents, and reforming government, while Senator Moore will be somewhere trying to prove to some Whites that he disapproves of the NAACP as much as they do. African-Americans should be outraged that Tommy Moore is playing such an insidious game. We should reject this, especially for someone that claims to be a friend of the Black community. But now is the time for Black folks to reject the politics of fear and join the bandwagon of hope and opportunity. Our blind allegiance to the Democratic Party is costing us tremendously. Democrats don’t own the ground on equality and opportunity. Democrats “pit” Blacks against issues that members of the other party support with the hope that Blacks will be scared away. Democrats try to convince Blacks that they should continue to support a system that continues to fail their children. For example, only 6.2% of African-Americans are proficient in Math and only 3.9% are proficient in Science. The aforementioned statistics are criminal! The Governor has a plan. Where is Senator Moore’s plan? Any plan that doesn’t allow low-income parents more options in education is not a plan, but an attempt in maintaining privilege for a few at the expense of the masses.

As a Democrat and as an African-American, I’m tired of the “games” Democrats play with Blacks, especially the race game. There isn’t a candidate that deserves the Black vote if he/she is not willing to speak to Black people. It is my hope that African-Americans cast their vote based on hopes rather than on fear. After all, God and fear do not occupy the same space.

Kwame Jones "K.J."

Guest Writer

The Denial of School Transfers in Berkeley County

The Berkeley County School District is considering delaying the transfer of students from "failing schools" to better performing schools. Why? Because according to the school officials, "they are fearful of a mass exodus of students and the disruption of the system". Under the provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Law, a parent has the right to transfer their child to a better performing school, if their child's school fails to meet "adequate yearly progress". How dare the Berkeley County School District, have the audacity to deny poor and minority children the right to excercise their "choice options" under the guidelines of a federal law? Once again, this is another example in South Carolina of parents being denied the right to excercise "educational freedom".

How can the state of South Carolina create a system whereas students who are trapped in failing schools, and being denied access to better performing schools achieve their true potential? The answer is simple: Offer tutition assistance to foster greater student participation; by providing financial assistance to families and students for private and parochial K-12 schools and public and private postsecondary institutions, our state can make additional options available to students. These schools and institutions can be an important source of alternative high-quality providers for students in failing schools as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act. If the state of South Carolina used tuition assistance, it would encourage more students to participate in educational options, and ultimately reduce the dropout rate and improve graduation rates.

The Berkeley County School District officials should consider, or better yet, provide high-quality choice options for the students who attend schools identified as "in need of improvement" instead of "delaying transfers". I detest playing the "race card", but I wonder how many of those schools in Berkeley County that are "failing" have high percentages of minority students?

Do the school officials in Berkeley County School District realize that the No Child Left Behind Act, codified the need for high-quality options that require school districts to make options available to students who attend schools identified as "in need of improvement"? This should be the task of the district to provide those options, and increase the supply of higher-performing schools from which families can choose.



Dr. Taliaferro


Note: Black Perspectives will have guest writers during the week of September 24-October 1st.

Does Anyone Really Care?

Should the South Carolina Conference of the NAACP be preoccupied about a candidate for governor not appearing at its annual convention, because the conference is being held in another state? Should the South Carolina Conference of the NAACP conduct a six year boycott of the state, because of a confederate flag hanging on an old statue in downtown Columbia? My personal answer to these questions is a resounding No.

Should the South Carolina Conference of the NAACP be preoccupied about the widening educational achievement gap between black and white students? Should the NAACP be preoccupied about the high dropout rate amongst black children in our public schools? Should the NAACP be preoccupied about the low graduation rate for black students in our public schools? Should the NAACP be preoccupied about the black and white disparities on the state mandated PACT test? My answer to these questions is resounding Yes.

The State newspaper recently reported, " SC Chapter president says candidate is disrespecting black voters. The NAACP is supposed to be non-partisian, then why are they preoccupied about a candidate appearing before their convention? Does anyone really care?

I believe the black voters of South Carolina are more concerned about the educational disparity that exists in our beloved state, than who shows up, or who does not show up at a convention.

I mentioned before in a previous post, the historic mission of the South Carolina Conference of the NAACP is being lost and they need to become proactive in the new civil rights movement of the 21st century. The fight for educational freedom.


Dr. Taliaferro


Note: The week of September 24-October 1, Black Perspectives in South Carolina will feature invited guest writers.

The Battle in Calhoun County Schools: Substance versus Style

There is a serious battle taking place in the Calhoun County School District, a county whereas 48 percent of the population is African-American. But, this battle is not about race, it is about civil rights. I have mentioned in previous writings, that "educational choice" or "parental choice" or "school choice" is the new civil rights movement of the 21st century.

The concerned parents of students in Calhoun County School District, are upset about a proposed 30 million dollar expansion that will create redistricting. The plan calls for the expansion of Sandy Run Elementary School in the north, and the building of an "exact replica" two miles south of town. (St. Matthews) If this proposal is approved, the Calhoun County School District "must" close down two predominantly black schools that were built in the l950's. The schools in question are: John Ford Middle and Guinyard Elementary, both historically black schools with a legacy of producing a strong black intelligentsia.

Rev. Michael Charley, a promient pastor in St. Matthews, is very upset about the proposed closing and has his congregation "fired up", and signing a petition against the proposed $30 million dollar expansion. He states, "they're like a spotlight in the community, they're just a ray of hope for us in the community, because most of us went there." Pastor Charley further states, "the money is not being spent in the right places, they are saying. "Well we know your scores are bad (referring to the low PACT scores for Black students) and you're not learning, we're not worried about that right now we'll get to that later. We're gonna build these new schools and we'll work on your education later."

The underlying question is: who has the right to determine what educational delivery system is best for children of Calhoun County School District? Will a bright shiny new school produce better PACT scores for Black children who are currenly failing in an antiquated system.? What is the best way to spend the 30 million dollars, to improve education, ie. quality teachers, enhanced curriculum, dropout intervention programs, proactive parental involement programs, alternative educational delivery systems, or favor style over substance?

The battle for the fate of those black children is not over, nor the right to preserve a legacy that is so prevalent in South Carolina.



Dr. Taliaferro

The Impeachment of Black South Carolina Legislators

The South Carolina Legislature this year took a step towards progress, in attempting to rectify the racial disparites of the past, by enacting The Early Childhood Education Program. The lawmakers set aside 23 million dollars for a four-year old kindergarten program in an attempt to close the achievement gap, between black and white students, particularly in those counties that were affected by the equity school funding lawsuit. Educators realize that intervention at the early childhool level is important if a child is too have any reasonable measure of success in his/her later years.

The Legislators placed the responsibility for the administration of the program under the auspices of First Steps, a statewide early childhood education program. On Thursday, September 14th, Ms. Susan DeVenny, the director of the program gave a briefing to Governor Mark Sanford and his administrative cabinet on the progress of the program. The response from the Governor and his cabinet, was upbeat and positive. Governor Sanford stated, "do you guys understand how groundbreaking this is".

According to guidelines of the program, the children must reside in the "suing" school districts and meet age and income limits to be accepted into one of the "privately operated" programs. The children can "attend schools" if they wish, outside the boundaries of those districts implicated in the equity lawsuit. In other words, the parents will decide where their child will attend a "privately operated early childhood facility/school". The "money" is attached to the child. In other words, the money follows the child. If a parent lives in one of the impoverished counties, but happens to work in a wealthy county, they can take their child with them and have that child attend a facility/school in that wealthy county.

This is a prime example of placing the responsibility for the education of the child on the parent, and not some governmental entity. Parental educational options is the hallmark of a movement that is sweeping all across America. It is allowing low-income, poor, and minority families, the right to choose an educational delivery system that is best for their child. The enactment of the Early Childhood Program is a positive step in the right direction for "educational freedom" or "parental choice" or "choice options". No matter the nomenclature it is good for South Carolina.

The majority of the children that will benefit from this progressive Early Childhood Program, are poor, rural Black children, who reside in those counties that were affected by the equity school funding lawsuit. Our poorest children are being denied a quality education in so many places in our beloved state, and we have Black Legislators who are becoming obstructionists.

For example: Representative Ken Kennedy, D-Greenleyville (Williamsburg County, one of the poorest and a minority majority population) stated," they are disguising this devil", making reference to the 23 million dollar program, that he voted against, but it will aid many of his constitituents. Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg stated, " this is the realization of my deepest fears and concerns about this program", "this is just a backdoor way of allowing vouchers".

The irony is these are Black Lawmakers, who are denying Black children the opportunity to receive a quality education, because of their ignorance and racist attitudes and opinions. While our Black childrens futures are being snuffed out, these lawmakers, who were able to access quality options for their children (Rep. Kennedy, sent his children to private schools in New York City) have the audacity to question the idea of empowering our poor children and families by making those very same options to them.

We cannot sit idly by and continuely support Black Legislators, no matter who they are or where they live, who are becoming obstructionists in our quest to provide quality education and choice options for our children, in particular, poor Black children. Dr. Howard Fuller once stated" our children continue to be miseducated, under-educated and not educated at all because they are invisible. They are invisible because those who are suppose to educate them don't see them. They see only their surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination--indeed, everything and anything except our children."

If our Black Legislators do not represent the interest of our children, but are only interested in representating special interest groups, then they should be Impeached with all delibrate speed.



Dr. Taliaferro

South Carolina NAACP: "No" to School Choice

Black families have come a long way because of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was established in l909 to work for the political, educational, social, and economic equality of African-Americans. Fifty years ago its name alone gave Black people hope. Yet Black Americans are learning that the NAACP today, opposes an education policy that lets inner-city low-income minority children escape failing public schools, and many more of us are wondering whether the organization is straying from its historic mission. The NAACP is the nation's preeminent civil rights group, and it opposes school choice. Why? School Choice is the second civil rights movement of the 21st century.

Could the answer be, that the once revered civil rights organization places special interest politics over the interests of Black parents and school children? It appears that the politics of special interest coalition-building takes precedence over the interests of Black school children. During the past decade, the NAACP has worked with groups like the National Education Association (NEA), People for the American Way (PFAW) and the American Civil Liberties to oppose school choice. In l997, the NAACP joined forces with the PFAW to create a new coalition, Partners for Public Education (PPE), headed by Mfume (former president) and PFAW president Ralph Neas. It had a single purpose--fighting school choice.

But despite the opposition for school choice by the national, state, and local NAACP, there is a battle within Black America. NAACP officials, liberal politicians, and the education establishment are trying to stonewall the "good news" about school choice. But school choice works, and more and more Black leaders are saying so. For example in l999, the national NAACP ousted Mr. Wille Breazell as the organization's Colorado head, after he announced his support for school choice and complained that the "status quo leaves the poorest kids who need the most help......trapped in our very worst schools. "

Black community support for school choice is putting the NAACP at odds with prominent Democratic politicians, particularly big city mayors. For example: John Norquist, former mayor of Milwaukee, Kurt Schmoke, former mayor of Baltimore, Andrew Young, fomer mayor of Atlanta, and most recently Washington D.C. mayor Anthony Williams----all of them Democrats want to give low-income parents the right to choose where their child attends school. Plain and simple, that is the definition of "school choice" allowing parents to make the decision where their child will attend school, not some governmental entity making the decision.

One final question, if the NAACP is right and school choice does not benefit African-American children, then why do African-American parents continue to participate in school choice programs or place their names on waiting lists full of minority students whose parents are searching for a way out of failing public schools? In the city of Milwaukee, the school choice program has grown from 341 students in l990-91 to a mandated cap of more than 15,000 in 2005-06. The Cleveland, Ohio scholarship program grew from 1,994 students in l996-97 to more than 6,000 in 2002-2003. In l999, the private New York City based Children's Scholarship Fund endorsed by former Congressman Rev. Floyd Flake received 1.25 million applicants for only 40,000 scholarships to attend private schools.

The NAACP needs to listen more to the African-American community. A 2002 public opinion poll, conducted by the Joint Center for Political Economic Studies (based in Washington, DC.) showed 57 percent of African-Americans support school choice. More importantly, 67 per cent of Black households with children and 70 per cent of African-Americans ages 26-35 are school choice supporters.

If the national, state, and local chapters of the NAACP could find the courage to break with the teachers unions and other special interest groups, it could again become a bold advocate for the education of low-income African Americans. If Black parents are happy with their local public schools, then they do not need school choice/educational choice. But why leave poor Black students on the sidelines, when other students are free to choose? That is the resounding question the NAACP should be asking its constitutents.

Speaking of constitutents, the South Carolina State Chapter of the NAACP, in conjunction with the Public Policy Institute, is holding a public forum with the candidates for State Superientendent of Education, Ms. Karen Floyd (R) and Dr. Jim Rex (D) on Thursday September 14th at Brookland Baptist Conference Center. The conference center is located at 1054 Sunset Blvd in West Columbia. The forum will begin a 6:30, but a "meet and greet the candidates" will commence at 5:30 pm.

I urge anyone who is vitally concerned about the educational dilemna of our state, and is concerned about achieving "real educational reform" and not the "status quo", to attend this forum.



Dr. Taliaferro

Measuring Up 2006--South Carolina's Report

The independent, non partisan National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education has published its biennial study, entitled "Measuring Up". Measuring Up 2006, evaluates states on their performance in higher education because it is the states that are primarily responsible for educational access and quality in the United States. The report card grades states in six overall performance categories:

• Preparation: How adequately does the state prepare students for education and training beyond high school? (South Carolina's grade C+
• Participation: Do state residents have sufficient opportunities to enroll in education and training beyond high school? (South Carolina's grade D+)
• Affordability: How affordable is higher education for students and their families? (South Carolina's grade F )
• Completion: Do students make progress toward and complete their certificates or degrees in a timely manner? (South Carolina's grade B+) Note: six years is the average timely matter!
• Benefits: What benefits does the state receive from having a highly educated population? (South Carolina's grade C )
• Learning: What is known about a student learning as a result of training beyond high school? (South Carolina's grade + )

The preface of the report states: " South Carolina's underperformance in preparing high school students for an enrolling them in higher education could limit the state's access to a competitive workforce and weaken its economy over time. Since the early 1990's, South Carolina has seen a double digit drop in the proportion of 9th graders graduating from high schoo, and the state now ranks among the lowest in the country on this measure. Since the early 1990's, colleges and universities in South Carolina have become less affordable for students and their families. If these trends are not addressed, they could undermine the state's ability to compete successfully in a global economy."

As a former higher education administrator, ie: college president, vice president, dean, and professor, I am deeply concerned about the plight of higher education in our beloved state. I am particularly concerned about the "affordability factor", because of its impact upon minorities. The net college costs for low- and middle-income students to attend community/technical colleges represents 41% of their annual family income. The cost for these students to attend public four year colleges and universities, represents 54% of their annual family income. These "families" earn on the average of $17,708 annually. Over 80% of South Carolina students attend either public two- and four year institutions.

Perhaps, it is time for Governor Mark Sanford's proposal to cap the tutition at our state colleges and universities, and tie the increases to the Higher Education Price Index? Incidentally, Governor Sanford's proposal has been admantly opposed by the state colleges. Why? Is this a denial of equal educational opportunity, or partisan politics?

Is the state of South Carolina progressing in closing the achievement gap between black and white students? According to the report, only 36 percent of the state's 18-21 year olds are enrolled in college, and the racial gap in college participation has narrowed slightly, but still 40 percent of white young adults are in college compared with 28 percent of black young adults.

I admantly believe if South Carolina is to become a key player in the emerging competitive global marketplace, then we must become competitive in our educational delivery system, by providing Quality Choice Options in Education for children and families. Only then, will we be able to compete successfully in a global economy.

The entire report can be viewed at: www.highereducation.org

Dr. Taliaferro

The Politics of Race

Isn't a shame that Representative Harold Mitchell (D) of House District 31, is being castigated by elected Black officials for endorsing two candidates, who happen to be white and Republican? The castigation has become so severe, that Spartanburg City Councilwoman Linda Dogan, is contemplating a write-in campaign to challenge Mr. Mitchell in the general election in November. Ms. Dogan states," I do not want people to think that all blacks endorse (Floyd)." Therefore, Ms. Dogan your only reason for not liking Ms. Floyd is, because she is "White" and happens to belong to the Republican party?

The late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, " you judge a person by the content of his/her character, and not the color of their skin". Racism is not analogous to any one particular racial group, or sub-group, but to any group who feels they are superior to another group.

On Monday, August 28th, I stood with that group of Black leaders who endorsed Ms. Floyd for Superintendent of Education, along with Representative Mitchell because she is truly committed to providing equal educational opportunity for all the children of South Carolina, whether they are Black or White.

I truly hope, that one day we will live in a country where we judge people by their character and not the color of their skin. Ms. Linda Dogan, take heed.



Dr. Taliaferro
Former Democratic Candidate for Superintendent of Education

The Price of Educational Failure

Today, the hopes of many parents and dreams of children are put in South Carolina's public schools. The failure of our schools to do their part in building a highly educated workforce has mounting consequences. Within the next two decades, South Carolina will experience lower standards of living, poorer health, higher crime rates, less community engagement and deteriorating social conditions. In fact, some of these social conditions are already tantamount in many of our communities.

Race, ethnicity and income are still the determining factors in student outcomes in South Carolina's public schools: the lives of Black children are blighted by the failure of South Carolina's public schools to eradicate the achievement gap. Just last week, the SAT scores were released by the Department of Education, indicating a decline in eight (8) points from the previous year. (2005-combined score 993, 2006 combined score 985). Conversely, the disparity was even greater for Black students.

The price of educational failure will continue to grow until the citizens of South Carolina exchange the endless reform of public schools--reform that has failed to provide improvement in the overall quality of public education--for fundamental changes in how public education is delivered.

The citizens of South Carolina can no longer afford to pay the price exacted by public schools today. The cost is paid in opportunity: personal dreams, economic growth, and quality of life. To create a system of education that offers opportunity to all children, the citizens of South Carolina in particular African-American citizens, because our children are carrying the brunt of the burden, must choose educational choice. Equal Opportunity in Education, also known as school choice, is a "concept" that is intellectually superior, morally essential, and experientially successful.


Dr. Taliaferro

The Inception of Black Perspectives in South Carolina

Black Perspectives in South Carolina was designed to be an online forum, whereas information that is pertinent to quality of life for Black citizens in South Carolina, can be disseminated, shared, and discussed in an intelligent matter. I am particularly concerned about the educational crisis that presently exists in our state, and how Black children are barring the brunt of this crisis.

In South Carolina we have a solemn duty to the families of our state, and a patriotic duty to our beloved nation, to address an educational crisis in which our state ranks last amongst other states in standardized tests, where three-quarters of all eight graders are not proficient in reading and math, where nearly half of all students who enter high school fail to graduate. For our children's sake, and the future of South Carolina, we can and will do better. We must close the achievement gap that threatens to open old divisions in our state, and we need to ensure that every child has access to the program or school that can best serve their learning styles. Our children, in particular Black children, should not be compelled to attend a school or schools, that do not teach, and will not create the necessary changes for substantive learning.

I want to free Black and poor children from the shackles of government schools, and provide them the opportunity for educational choice. I envision a system where, "parents will have the right to choose which educational delivery system is right for their children. I firmly believe that "parents, not a government entity, should determine which educational system is proper for their children.

Educational Choice or School Choice is the new civil rights struggle of the 21st century, and I stand ready, as a professional educator, to lead the struggle for those who have been disenfranchised by a system that daily denies them equal educational opportunity.

Dr. Taliaferro