tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457872.post7352337256566449333..comments2024-03-26T23:57:42.268-04:00Comments on SpeEdChange: PoliceGateirasocolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01412837280249622430noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457872.post-51747809168523007242009-07-28T09:57:30.128-04:002009-07-28T09:57:30.128-04:00Inspector - thankfully, there are 911 tapes direct...Inspector - thankfully, there are 911 tapes directly contradicting Sgt. Crowley's account. He knew Gates lived there BEFORE calling for back up. So, he knew no crime was in progress - his presence and actions created the crime.<br /><br />Mr. Cote - yes, I have observed, I am not criticizing from a point of no investigation - I really prefer to not do that. But most importantly, I do not think mass, rote learning is a path to recovery and independence, and there is no actual evidence that KIPP kids do any better than those of equivalent demographic schools, despite longer hours and student population self-selection (a sure sign of above-average parent commitment). Yes KIPP has its successes, so do Public Schools, but KIPP schools actually demonstrate greater student loss rates than similar public schools, suggesting that success is a minority position.<br /><br />However, my comments about being drilled in white culture stem from the behaviors expected (and enforced) within the corridors and other non-classroom spaces in KIPP Academies, and the self-reports of African-American KIPP teachers troubled by school curricula which refuse to engage actual AA cultural or political history. I think drill-and-kill is bad for all kids, no matter what color, but a poor education system in KIPP schools is not what I was criticizing here. (I've done that plenty of other places.)<br /><br />- Ira Socolirasocolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01412837280249622430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457872.post-34853954598788980142009-07-28T09:42:29.381-04:002009-07-28T09:42:29.381-04:00First off, I have am a regular reader of your blog...First off, I have am a regular reader of your blog and although I've never posted in the past, I think you raise some original points and present some unique and well-defended arguments (though I don't always agree with them!).<br /><br />This is admittedly off-topic and I probably should have posted a reply to one of your posts that tackles this issue head-on ...<br /><br />"Just as in the KIPP School theory that black youth must be drilled in white culture ..."<br /><br />Maybe you are unfamiliar with the KIPP model. Have you ever observed a KIPP class? I suggest you do so before sweeping such broad brushstrokes. So called "KIPPsters" come to KIPP several grade levels behind their peers from more affluent communities (their "white" peers, mostly). In order to bring them up to grade level and put them in position to attend (and succeed!) at the college or university level, there is a fair amount of set curriculum and, as you say, drilling, that must take place (especially in math class where learning really is hierarchical in the sense that you knowing addition will help you understand multiplication and knowing Algebra I will help you understand Algebra II).<br /><br />I take for granted that factual knowledge must precede skill and that, therefore, the process of "drilling" is not all bad, so long as it's not overused. <br />(If it's the drilling aspect that you are having problems with, I would suggest taking a look at this book "Why Don't Students Like School" by Daniel Willingham, a cognitive psychologist from UVA).<br /><br />Here's my point: you are wrong to imply either that (1) that drilling is some form of base learning reserved only for blacks or minority students and (2) that "white culture" is somehow tantamount to learning the fundamentals of academic subjects such as adding and multiplying.Mr. Cotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10111006018589022068noreply@blogger.com