YOUNGSTOWN — A new 10-year plan for the Youngstown City School District that stresses diversity, equity and inclusion has further stoked debate over leveling the academic playing field for black students.
With Youngstown schools being online only, at least for the first nine weeks of this academic year, education activist Jimma McWilson said it’s more important than ever for parents and caretakers of students to advocate for their educations.
McWilson, founder of the African Education Party, has for more than a decade argued that Ohio’s educational system has not been designed to help black children succeed. He maintains what has been done in Youngstown schools over the years has clearly not worked, because the district has ranked near the academic bottom for more than two decades.
McWilson has said it before and spoke out again after Justin Jennings, city school district CEO, unveiled his 10-year plan in August to the Youngstown Board of Education. YOUprint 2030 aims to provide a blueprint for the district’s future success. It will be evaluated each year to ensure the district is headed in the right direction.
‘STOP LOOKING BACKWARD’
Jennings said in a Friday news release: “2020 has reminded us that we must talk candidly together about race — starting with focused conversations about racism in schools, and YCSD is committed to embracing diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
“We are focused on creating a culture that supports diversity, equity, inclusion and excellence. It’s time to stop looking backward and rehashing old issues. We know systemic racism is real, equity and inclusion are important, and we must work together to move forward to effect real change.”
Key to the success of the plan will be active communication and cooperation among the district, its students, parents and the business community, Jennings has said.
YOUprint 2030 is a result of a six-month research project identifying and addressing issues facing the school district.
Goals identified for the first five years include improving academic performance by meeting or surpassing value-added expectations in literacy and math; creating a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and excellence; improving school and community relations, communication and partnerships; and creating a positive school environment that encourages responsibility.
“The Youngstown City School District will focus on maintaining an educational environment that is committed to high expectations for all–scholars / students, employees, and community–by promoting equity, fairness, embracing diversity and differences and encouraging active participation on the part of scholars, families and our community. One of the YCSD YOUprint 2030 strategic plan’s primary goals is to create a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and excellence,” states the Friday release.
DON’T EXPECT LESS
But at the state level, McWilson argues, officials have been expecting less from black students than what is expected from white students since 2018.
“The state superintendent of public instruction issued lower academic expectations, goals and benchmarks,” McWilson said. Lowering expectations for black students could place them further behind their peers, he argues.
In combating these attitudes, McWilson said local leaders must look for the best academic practices being followed by similarly situated school districts that have better report card scores, and match or surpass them.
Money alone is not an indicator for whether a school system successfully educates its students, McWilson said.
Youngstown, identified as a 100 percent poverty district, receives approximately $12,000 per student from the state, he said. Steubenville, also identified as a 100 percent poverty district, receives approximately $7,000 per student.
Youngstown received a “F” on its most recent state report card, while Steubenville received a “B” on its state report card.
“What is the difference?” he asked.
McWilson suggested that the Youngstown Board of Education has the power to approve a resolution against structural racism and bring the topic to its constituents, which could put pressure on the state to address the issue.
BOARD MEMBERS
School board member Ronald Shadd is a member of the recently formed diversity committee formed by Jennings.
“My goal is to create an environment to make sure all of our students are able to succeed,” Shadd said. “If the state (has) lower expectations for black students than whites, it is definitely against everything I believe.”
Board member Jackie Adair, also responding on Friday, argued that the local board “has been more than reluctant to even discuss race and racism in the district.” So the matter was put on hold awaiting the CEO’s plan.
“Little did I know how diluted this ‘equity’ idea was going to be, ” she said.
She also was critical of Shadd, saying he “never has opened his mouth about anything regarding the poor academic outcomes for our children.”
“Finally, I doubt that this board with take up this cause especially if the idea comes from Jimma or me,” Adair added.
Brenda Kimble, board president, explained that it has approved a resolution sponsored by the Ohio Schools Boards Association that states it supports an inclusive environment that ensures students are provided opportunities for achievement and success — no matter their race, ethnicity or socio-economic background.
“We are elected by the community to have concern about every student regardless of their race,” she said Friday. “I do understand that some students achieve at a higher level than others, and this is an issue of great concern.”
The OSBA resolution states it is imperative that Ohio implements meaningful solutions that eliminate racism, social injustice, disparative discipline and bias, as well as foster equity to provide a catalyst for sustained improvement for students of color and impoverished communities.
Jennings, in the Friday statement, shared some initiatives that have already started or will begin soon: Creating and supporting a resolution in support of the Black Lives Matter movement; professional development and diversity training, and a racial equity committee.
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September 06, 2020 at 10:57AM
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