Key to Closing the Gap: Positive Role Models

By Toni Skalican

“I am young and I am positive.

I am the future, and I am going to tell it like it is.

I will not let anything stand in my way.

My eyes are on the “Kalamazoo Promise,” and they are going to stay that way!”

Hands linked and smiles abound, students and tutors stand in a circle to recite this—the Community Advocates for Parents and Students “Affirmation”—at the end of study sessions at Interfaith Homes Community Center every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The community advocates program, otherwise known as CAPS, began last October when four Kalamazoo community members came together to help students struggling in Kalamazoo Public Schools.

The community members included four proud, African-American Kalamazoo residents--Dr. Janice James, pediatrician; Kai Jackson, behavioral specialist for KPS; Dorothy Young, former principal of Hillside Middle School; and Dr. Harvey Meyers, a retired chemist. In order to accomplish their goal, they needed volunteers, and K College students rose to the occasion.

A five minute drive north of campus, just off of Woodward Avenue, the community center is located in the middle of a colorless apartment complex development. However, its outside appearance is deceiving, as the community center serves as a source of academic inspiration for student residents.

Inside the community center, students work in two main rooms. The first is a much-sought-after computer lab. The second is a study room, best described as lively clutter of disheveled tables, chairs, school supplies, and children’s books.

Aside from the animated atmosphere of the room, there is one more observation to be made--every student, K through 12, is African-American.

The Gap

An hour and a half before the CAPS affirmation, KeVanna Potts, a spunky 9-year-old, dances in her seat between math problems. Surrounded by the chatter of students and mentors, she keeps her attention on her schoolwork and the instructions of her tutor, Gabby Mindingall K’11, who is also African-American.

KeVanna is in the 4^th grade, and like all of Michigan’s fourth-graders, this year she will face her second standardized MEAP test. The MEAP, otherwise known as the Michigan Educational Assessment Program, attempts to measure the yearly progress of every student in Michigan, in accordance with the regulations set forth by the 2001 “No Child Left Behind Act.”

In the 2005-2006 school year, 87 percent of white fourth-graders in Michigan tested proficient or advanced in mathematics. However, only 59 percent of African American fourth graders tested proficient or advanced, showing a difference—or gap—of 28 percent, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

The overall education gap between black and white students in Michigan is a difference of about 35 points on a 270-point scale. This difference is the third largest of all states in the nation, with Washington D.C. in first place, and Minnesota in second.

The outlook on Michigan schools is bleak. The education gap in Kalamazoo Public Schools, according to the MDE, is the second biggest of all school districts in Michigan.

KeVanna continues sketching nickels and dimes with confidence, persistent in completing 25 pages in her math workbook.

Getting It Right

K mentors with CAPS offered their perspective on the cause of this gap.

Klissa Jarrett K’10, an African-American student leader of CAPS, said, “It’s a socio-economic gap, definitely. The schools [in areas where economically-disadvantaged students live] aren’t up to par.”

Travis Smith K’10, also African-American, who is an obvious favorite among the students who refer to him as “Mr. Travis!” agreed. “Teachers do not teach to different learning styles,” he said. He explained that he works with many kids who have only been taught one problem-solving method. When students struggle, he offers alternative methods.

“With math, I have to back-track to give definitions,” he said. Often, students don’t know what to do because they are confused by terms like “conversion,” “independent variable,” and even “digits.”

However, teaching kids how to deal with “math-problem vocabulary” can be seen as relatively easy when compared to teaching them how to deal with peer pressure. Smith admitted that he had just been working with a student who was quick defend himself after getting an answer right.

“I’m not no nerd,” said the student.

Raising Expectations

Dr. Janice James took a different approach to the education gap, and rightly so. After all, these factors--economic disadvantages, poor problem-solving skills, fears of teasing—can affect all students, regardless of race.

While several K mentors hinted at other problems in Kalamazoo’s African American community, such as violence and poor parenting, James suggested otherwise. She’s “not interested” in Interfaith’s demographics and the negative stereotypes that such demographics might produce.

“It is the legacy of slavery that we are paying for now,” she said, giving her ‘frank’ opinion.

According to James, African Americans have been “devalued” in American society. When she first moved to Kalamazoo “many years ago,” she had several experiences with stereotyping that made her stop and ask herself, “What is wrong with this town?”

First, a cashier at a grocery store asked for her food stamps. A few months later, the secretary at her doctor’s office asked for her Medicaid card. These class assumptions made about James, a pediatrician, were based on racial stereotypes, she said.

For her, Kalamazoo schools were the last straw. According to James, her son, a talented math student, had a habit of becoming distracted and “messing around with the other kids in class.” She told the teacher, “If this one (referring to her son) isn’t getting A’s, call me.” When her son brought home B’s and C’s she was shocked—no one had cared enough to call.

“People expect less,” she said. As a result, CAPS’s top priority is to “set high expectations.”

A Different Dynamic

Claire Stravengen, a Caucasian K College sophomore mentor, has seen firsthand that one-on-one tutoring helps KPS students most. In addition to serving as a CAPS mentor, she works at Woodward during the week as an art teacher’s assistant.

“Teachers get really frazzled because there’s a lot of back-talk” she said. “Just getting past focus-issues is really hard for the children.” While she explains, she works with Lukas Gallup, an 8^th grader whose favorite subject is gym. Together, they make flashcards to help Lukas memorize Newton’s laws.

“He’s learning to learn,” said Ms. Jackson, one of the four founders of CAPS, as she wound her way through the disarray of tables with a sly smile.

Stravengen views CAPS as having “different dynamic;” one where students feel focused and comfortable.

Building Relationships

“Boy, get out of my grill!” KeVanna said to a boy behind her, apparently trying to peer over her shoulder. With one page to go in her math workbook, she is well aware that there are only a few minutes left in her study session.

She and “Miss Gabby” have worked through the entire section, chatting all the way.

Describing the student-mentor relationship, Travis Smith had said, “We’re younger than their teachers are,” suggesting that students feel less pressure to “prove something.”

“These kids enjoy doing well,” James had praised in her interview, “They’re happy, they’re energetic, and they don’t want to leave.”

Through developing relationships with students, mentors have been able to get through to African American KPS students, despite any ambiguous disadvantages in the school system. In bringing Kalamazoo College’s “sense of community” into the CAPS classroom, students have shown rapid improvement.

It turns out that the most effective way to reverse the education gap may be as simple as enforcing positive role models.

“That’s key in our African American culture,” said Dr. James. “You can’t do anything if you don’t build relationships.”

Week 10 Article

Op-Ed Contributor

Penny Foolish

By ERIC SCHLOSSER

Published: November 29, 2007

I came upon this editorial in the NYT. I think Schlosser is a great example of an editorial writer who values informing the public about human rights issues. Is this a bias? Absolutely, as he obviously sides with the idea that Florida's migrant farm laborers deserve better treatment and pay. However, he does a good job of including facts to support his convictions. He also attributes his quotes well, and he does a great job of persuading the public that this is an issue worth caring about.

Finally, and most importantly, this is an editorial, and the reader is expecting to hear a public opinion about a public issue.

His most eye-opening assertion, in my opinion:

"The prominent role that Burger King has played in rescinding the pay raise offers a spectacle of yuletide greed worthy of Charles Dickens. Burger King has justified its behavior by claiming that it has no control over the labor practices of its suppliers. “Florida growers have a right to run their businesses how they see fit,” a Burger King spokesman told The St. Petersburg Times.

Yet the company has adopted a far more activist approach when the issue is the well-being of livestock. In March, Burger King announced strict new rules on how its meatpacking suppliers should treat chickens and hogs. As for human rights abuses, Burger King has suggested that if the poor farm workers of southern Florida need more money, they should apply for jobs at its restaurants."

One of the last opportunities to comment...what do you think about his objectivity in relation to the article? Do you think that he does a good job in giving citizens "truth?"

Week 9 Article

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/27/oversized-portions-blame-the-chef/
November 27, 2007, 1:19 pm

Oversized Portions? Blame the Chef

By Tara Parker-Pope

Lede: Nutrition experts have long urged Americans to pay more attention to portion sizes. But someone forgot to tell the chef.

^^I like this; it catches attention.

I took interest in this article because I work at a small privately-owned business at home, and I know that the last thing on our chef's mind is calorie-counting. Business is more about taste and food-presentation. Portion size, schmortion size.

December is the busiest month at our restaurant and at restaurants across the country, so I'm sure that this article will be of interest to many who are looking forward to going out with friends during the holiday season--and who may be slightly concerned about packing on the infamous holiday-pounds.

But the key word here is 'holiday.' Does anyone really want to calorie-count during the holidays? This topic may be best left-alone. ;)

Child Dies in Duplex Fire; Two Suspected of Arson

By Toni Skalican

KALAMAZOO, Mich.--A 3-year-old child died, after a suspected act of arson burnt her house to the ground early this morning; two men have been arrested in connection to the fire, according to officials.
Tiffany Blanchard died of smoke inhalation, according to officials at Bronson Hospital. She and her brothers--5 year old Tory and 6-year-old Terry-- had been trapped in the fire on the second floor of their duplex at 1275 Monroe Street.
Although the Kalamazoo Fire Department presumes the fire was started around 2 a.m., the fire department was not called until 2:10. Two trucks arrived on the scene within 5 minutes, and the fire department released the series of events as follows:
Seven residents to the duplex escaped the building unharmed, despite the buildings' absence of fire detectors.
Two Kalamazoo firefighters on the scene, Sam Walshe of Company 4, and James O'Brian of Company 2, tore a hold in the roof of the duplex to rescue the children from their smoldering home.
The two suspects arrested were Vincent DeNofrio, 33, of Mattawan, and a 16-year-old unidentified juvenile. Witnesses reportedly saw the two running from the duplex at the time of the fire, DeNofrio with a canister in hand.
Investigations are underway to determine whether Tiffany's mother, Marie Blanchard, 32, was the target of arson by DeNofrio, who building residents describe as her "estranged boyfriend."
Tiffany Blanchard died at 3:57 a.m. Tory and Terry were treated for minor injuries, and both boys were released to their mother at 10 a.m.
"The building is at a total loss," said Patricia Clarkson, Deputy Chief of the fire department. Damages have been assessed at $250,000, according to Clarkson.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/magazine/28Evangelicals-t.html?ex=1194321600&en=6c3d1338010c3d06&ei=5070&emc=eta1

New York Times Magazine
"The Evangelical Crackup"
By David D. Kirkpatrick
Published: October 28, 2007

Theme: Christian Evangelicals are torn between presidential candidates for 2008. Almost all candidates-Democrat and Republican- are currently trying to appear as moderate as possible, and they are searching for a candidate that will make decisions along their 'theological lines.'

Descriptive techniques:

Avoiding adjectives- Instead of saying "the pastor had the support of his congregation," the author makes the passage more interesting by using active verbs. He figuratively says, "His congregation, for the most part, applauded."

When the author does use adjectives, he makes good use of them. Instead of simply laying out the names of the current Republican presidential candidates, the author helps one picture them. Each analogy bears the negative stereotype that an evangelical might have of the candidate: "a lapsed-Catholic big city mayor; a Massachusetts Mormon; a church-skipping Hollywood actor; and a political renegade known for crossing swords with Rev. Pat Robertson and the Rev. Jerry Falwell."

Using Analogies- "Ever since they broke with mainline Protestant churches nearly 100 years ago, the hallmark of evangelicals has been a vision of society as a sinking ship, sliding toward depravity and sin."

Limit physical descriptions- In detailing that Rev. David Welsh is a conservative, the author does not note Welsh's physical attributes, but instead describes his clothing: "Welsh, who is favors pressed khaki pants and buttoned-up polo shirts, is a staunch conservative..."

Use lively verbs- Instead of saying that pastors are against abortion rights, the author says that they "combat abortion rights."

Set the scene: The author does this well in the lead: "The hundred-foot white cross atop the Immanuel Baptist Church in downtown Wichita, Kan., casts a shadow over a neighborhood of payday lenders, pawnbrokers and pornographic video stores. To its parishioners, this has long been the front line of the culture war. "


In combining descriptive and narrative techniques, the author also uses compelling storytelling structure, as he takes the reader through his experiences with evangelical elites, pastors, and congregation members. By detailing his observations, he makes the reader feel as though they are in each location, at his side in the interviews. Ultimately, he does a great job at taking a completely non-biased approach to the story, and allows readers to draw their own conclusions.

K Seniors Share Abroad Experiences

By Toni Skalican

Summary Lead: KALAMAZAOO, Mich.--Five Kalamazoo College seniors' perceptions of themselves and the world were transformed by their study abroad experiences, and on Friday morning, Oct. 12, they shared their stories at a new chapel program called Jama.

Backup quote: "My Thai parents asked, 'Why aren't you eating'" said Kara Purcell, who read aloud excerpts from a journal she kept while in Thailand.''

Nut Graph: All of the seniors spoke about their inital discomfort in foreign countries, however, each senior learned to cope with anxiety and grow from their experiences.

Supporting Information: [Examples of two more students who were uncomfortable in study abroad at first.]

Inclusion of audience reaction: His insight recieved hearty laughter from the audience, which was comprised of nearly 150 K students.

Transition: Nevertheless, once past first impressions, the seniors were able to learn from their new surroundings.

More Supporting Information: [Explanations for how each of the three seniors learned to cope, with supporting quotes from their speeches.]

Ahson Obit

War Hero Dies at 79

By Toni Skalican


KALAMAZOO, Mich-- Jeffery R. Ahson, a Navy war hero of WWII, died of emphysema last night in his home.

"Ahson was a genuine American hero," said Jeraldine Fyfe, a representative from the Office of Navel Public Relations. In the 1942 Battle of Midway in the Pacific, Mr. Ahson crossed the burning deck of the USS Emery to save four of his fellow military officers, persisting through the battle to shoot down three enemy planes. He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Navy Cross for this bravery, and he was promoted from his post as petty officer to Ensign.

Mr. Ahson was born in Chico, Calif., in 1927. He served in the military for four years.

His accomplishments include service at legion post 712 and VFW post 4206. He was also promoted once more while in the mililtary to Commander.

After retiring from the Navy in 1946, Mr. Ahson came to Kalamazoo and served as a firefighter for 20 years. He retired from the fire department in 1966, and became a car salesman for 19 years. He finally retired for good at the age of 58.

Mr. Ahson remained active in the religious community, as an usher at John Calvin Presbyterian Church and a member of Gideons International.

His hobbies included the restoration of a 1924 fire truck with friends, a vehicle he drove to local elementary schools to parade for students; and playing checkers, as a member for the National Checkers Association.

Mr. Ahson is survived by his wife, Therese Alpert; a son, Richard D. Ahson of Phillipsburg, Kan.; two daughters, Angela Molino, of Omaha, Neb., and Lela Stalling of Pipecreek, Texas.; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brother Henry Ahson, of San Francisco, and two sisters, Judith Eaker of Reedsville, N.C., and Shirley Soloman of Newark, N.J. The family requests no flowers.

Viewing will take place Friday at Littleton Mortuary from 4-5:30 p.m., and again from 7:30-9 p.m. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the mortuary, followed by burial at Memoral Park Cemetary.