Minneapolis Public Schools are at it again…another Program of the Day

This time they are creating a special agreement with the African American community. Now I agree with family involvement, which is key to a child knowing that his or her parents place importance on getting a good education. However, creating a culturally responsive curriculum doesn’t make sense. Culture, what culture. You mean to tell me the school system doesn’t have a curriculum that doesn’t appeal to American sensitivities? I thought this was an American school system. What special curriculum needs to be put into place to feed the needs of someone that is an American? I understand language barriers and new Americans or immigrants getting adjusted, but members of a community that have been here for generations needing a whole different program doesn’t make sense. I come from a Swedish, French, and Dutch background. So where is my special curriculum? Isn’t this really about taking responsibility? Why should the school system need to compensate for parental irresponsibility? Maybe the school system just needs to take a different approach towards discipline instead of changing it’s programming. Maybe an agreement between parents, students, and teachers outlining expectations is needed. There are better ways of closing the achievement gap then creating another special program.