Might I ask, if you’ve got such a problem with the behaviour of kids in your daughter’s school, why are you still sending her there?
Although, ironically, in my public high school it was different cause we had a ‘family’ (same adoptive parents) of refugees from Sudan and a family from South Africa, and the kids were all sweet, well-behaved, and hard-working. Of course, this didn’t hold true for all of the African kids in the ‘underprivileged’ school I had to volunteer at for a brief period during college. However, I’ve noticed a common thread between these two schools and your daughter’s school - the African kids who behaved themselves, regardless of race, had good parents who didn’t make excuses for them, and the kids who were likely to have crazy behavioural problems (again regardless of their race or nationality) were clearly the result bad parenting. In some cases, the parents were abusive, neglectful, or just didn’t care to be involved in their child’s upbringing. But, in other cases, the parents would be in denial that their precious child could do any wrong, or worst of all, they’d essentially tell their child that they were ‘special’ and therefore the rules didn’t apply to them, they were just being singled out cause they were a minority/not a minority/ADHD/poor/rich/fat/skinny/pretty/smart/you name it.
The quality of the academics is superior to other nearby schools. We're willing to PAY for an education that makes sense. That is the reason she is there. I don't find the local public school up to the standard we require. She knows not to socialize with those that are out of control and socialize with those that have our values and beliefs. So it is the academics that is keeping us there.
In the near future we will move on. Then she can leverage her John Hopkins work for the advanced classes in another school district. I don’t want her around the lazy, out of control kids. In upper grades I have this uniformly available to me. In their elementary school all they offer is “Enrichment” to a select few that have high S.A.T. scores. In middle school, our local school district has advanced courses which weeds out the clowns and under performers.
“Although, ironically, in my public high school it was different cause we had a ‘family’ (same adoptive parents) of refugees from Sudan and a family from South Africa, and the kids were all sweet, well-behaved, and hard-working. Of course, this didn’t hold true for all of the African kids in the ‘underprivileged’ school I had to volunteer at for a brief period during college. However, I’ve noticed a common thread between these two schools and your daughter’s school - the African kids who behaved themselves, regardless of race, had good parents who didn’t make excuses for them, and the kids who were likely to have crazy behavioural problems (again regardless of their race or nationality) were clearly the result bad parenting. In some cases, the parents were abusive, neglectful, or just didn’t care to be involved in their child’s upbringing. But, in other cases, the parents would be in denial that their precious child could do any wrong, or worst of all, they’d essentially tell their child that they were ‘special’ and therefore the rules didn’t apply to them, they were just being singled out cause they were a minority/not a minority/ADHD/poor/rich/fat/skinny/pretty/smart/you name it.”
You know what's really interesting ... the black families I refer to from Africa, do their best to appear VERY conservative. It's almost to the point where it is galling. In fact one teaches in a horrendous school district. They don't SEE what's wrong with their kids. When their guard is down, you can SEE why the kids are the way they are. It's trickle down from the parents. So between the culture and parents the kids will be a result of that.
I'm glad to hear you have had some exceptions. There is no way you will convince me what you state is the rule. You can't state that with American blacks. I think the recent election, 95% of blacks voted for Obama makes my point. Of course you may believe whatever you wish ... .
It is true that they don't live as well as we do in the U.S.. Look at Obama’s family over there. While those that come over here may have slightly more than those there, it doesn't compare to what we take for granted. Public housing is viewed as “wonderful”. So there is a mentality problem and outlook problem. I make it clear if it should come up subtly that in the U.S. you WORK for what you have and shouldn't expect the GOVERNMENT to pay your way.
Many have the Obama mentality.