The Problems in Jefferson Parish Schools Are Systemic

[cornermouse]

http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/ne...e-systemic

In Louisiana’s Jefferson Parish Public School System, African-American students face a harsh reality.

Typical teenage misbehavior, such as horseplay or cursing, doesn’t result in a trip to the principal’s office. Instead, these students are shipped off to alternative schools where they often languish for months, even years.

They sit in front of a computer screen for hours as they work through a series of online courses. There is a teacher in the room, but the teacher is simply there to answer questions. There’s no instruction, no classroom discussions or extracurricular activities. No accommodations are made for students with disabilities. This is the “school” the district provides for these students....

[waiting for hope]

If we had stayed in Metairie, my oldest son would have gone to a Catholic School - my husband's family would have made me a pariah if I sent him to a public school - I am so glad that I don't live there anymore, after Katrina, the charter schools came in and took over. Consider Jefferson Parish to be the start of this, sooner or later, all over the country they will be doing things like this, shipping off poor students to alternative schools.

[cornermouse]

Hopefully the SPLC will stop it and force change.

[F. Gordon]

Mark Traina is just the only one stupid enough to publicly voice what I suspect is a widely held belief in the School system. 'Child Psychology' is being used to fit the need of the Psychological Diagnosis and not the need of the child. Our children are being treated like cattle when they meet the criteria of a particular Psychological Diagnosis. We are losing our basic sense of caring and humanity.

It's a sad world. It's a mad world.

[bvar22]

I grew up in Jefferson Parish.
In the 60s and 70s,
it was possible to get a good education in Jefferson Parish and New Orleans.
My two brothers and myself attended a catholic High School (Jesuit).
The Catholic High Schools were within reach of Blue Collar families at that time.

My mother taught at the All Girls Public High School in Jefferson Parish.

I realize that this IS a minority opinion,
but sex segregation in High Schools worked well in New Orleans at that time,
and standardized uniforms also had benefits.