It is, of course, offensive to set public expectations for one racial group lower than another. The ultimate goal ought to be 100% for every student no matter *who* they are.
At the same time, it is also probably unrealistic - in the short term - to expect groups that aren't performing well as a whole to catch up with groups that have been performing well. If the disparity between white and black student groups in Florida really is that great (69% reaching a level of satisfactory achievement versus only 38%), it's going to take long-term efforts. Meaning the numbers for success in the short-term might not be the same for every group.
Nor would I say that the lower number automatically means, again in the short-term, less concern or effort for minority students. The bench mark goal for black students is to basically double the percentage (from 38 to 74) of students who meet adequate academic standards. The group currently struggling the most is targeted for the most efforts in improvement. Again, though, the ultimate goal should be 100% success for all students, be they black, white, or Martian.
re: “If the disparity between white and black student groups in Florida really is that great (69% reaching a level of satisfactory achievement versus only 38%), it’s going to take long-term efforts. Meaning the numbers for success in the short-term might not be the same for every group.”
Yes!! You got it. I must admit when I first read the story that I was also outraged at what appeared to be dumbing down standards by race.
But, when I re-read the article I realized that I was completely misunderstanding what Florida is doing. They have set four year goals for each group of kids in their state to reach. They want to take them from where they are NOW and move them further toward up the “reading at grade level or math level” ladder.
Look, if only 38% of black kids are currently at reading level, to actually move that entire group, state-wide, to 74% in four years - that would be fantastic.
These are NOT permanent goals. Assuming Florida reaches the goals they have set by 2018, then they will move the benchmarks higher for the next four years. So, if in four years 74% of black kids are at grade level in reading and math, then presumably Florida will move that percentage goal higher so that by the end of the next four years 88% of black kids will be at reading level.
They are trying to move all kids into the 90 to 100% range, but you have to start where they are now.
Also, that lady who is the chairman of the school board in some district is playing politics. She knows full well that this goal setting has been part of the No Child Left Behind program since it’s incepting back in the early 2000’s.
I’m not advocating NCLB, I’m just trying to explain what the goal setting is - these are NOT PERMANENT goals, just goals for over the next four years, then presumably they will be reset higher for everyone for the next four years after that.