Vol. 24, Issue 15
www.aframnews.com
April 28 - May 4, 2019
LIVING LEGEND
OUR STORY April
Delvin Williams
28
Can’t WE All
N.Y. state admits George B. Vashon to the Bar – 1847
29
Carter W. Wesley, newspaperman and political activist, was born in Houston, TX– 1892 Delvin Williams was born April 17, 1951 in Houston. He is a former professional American football player who was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2nd round of the 1974 NFL Draft. A 6’0”, 197-lb. running back from the University of Kansas, Williams played for the 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Green Bay Packers in eight NFL seasons from 1974 to 1981. A twotime Pro Bowl selection in 1976 and 1978, Williams rushed for over 1,200 yards in both those seasons. Shortly after retiring, Williams began a years-long collaboration with Nancy Reagan on her signature project to prevent teens from doing drugs called “Just Say No”. Delvin focused on providing advice to youth on preventing drug use. In this capacity, he made many presentations with Mrs. Reagan. On March 10, 2015, Delvin Williams launched a global internet sports radio show, LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL on MJWJ Global Radio Network. The one-hour talk show airs every Tuesday at 7:00 PM/CST, broadcasting live from Houston. It explores a wide range of topics related to football focused on the athlete often unprepared for life after the sport.
AFRAMNEWS.COM
30
Freedmen’s Bureau established – 1865
May
1
Congress charters Howard University – 1867
2
Just Get Along? OP-ED
LETTERS TO EDITOR
WHAT’S HAPPENING
First game of National Negro Baseball League, played in Indianapolis - 1920
3
Supreme court outlaws restrictive covenants – 1847
4
Oscar Blayton says, “We didn’t need Meuller to tell us that Trump is a skunk.” Page 3
African-American News & Issues readers’ respond to We MUST Understand: “Accountability” Page 2
Groom- A- Kid Foundation is hosting its 2nd Annual Tuxedo. Drive Page 5
The first Freedom Ride, protesting the non-enforcement of federal law banning segregation on public busses, leaves Washington, D.C. - 1961
2 • African-American News & Issues
Texas • April 28 - May 4, 2019
OPINION & EDITORIAL
Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman/Publisher Shirley Ann Malonson, President/CEO/Publisher Rebecca S. Jones, Senior Writer Fred Smith: Sales General: news@aframnews.com Ads: sales@aframnews.com Website: aframnews.com Artwork: prod@aframnews.com
African-American News&Issues is published by African-American News&Issues, 6130 Wheatley Street, Houston, Texas 77091, Office: (713) 692-1892 Fax: (713) 692-1183 Our office hours are: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entire contents of the paper are copyrighted by African-American News&Issues. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the publisher. African-American News&Issues is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the publisher. African-American News&Issues assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material.
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WE ENCOURAGE YOUR OPINION Please be advised copy allows an approximate word count up to 350 words and will be edited for content to fit. Please send to news@aframnews.com. LETTER TO THE EDITOR We welcome all original responses to content found in African-American News&Issues from our readers. Letters may be sent via email to news@aframnews.com, or mailed to 6130 Wheatley Street, Houston, Texas 77091. Please type your letters if you choose to mail them. We do not accept handwritten letters. Please keep all letters under 300 words. Be sure to include the name and residence. All letters may be verified before publication and are subject to editing for space. Thank you in advance of your submission.
Letter to the Editor
We MUST Understand
Dear Mr. Malonson: In response to your article about Accountability: You hit the nail on the head when you said “With all of the odds stacked against them, simply because of the Color of their skin they were still able to accomplish more than many modern African-Americans can with all of the resources at their disposal”. You were speaking of our grandparents, great, and great-great grandparents. Especially our ancestors that walked away from those plantations not being able to read or write, and having to deal with does die hard white racist that did not want to let go of their racist ideals. That generation of African-Americans accomplished more than any generation when it come to acquiring assets. They do not get any credit, because we are always to busy patting our on self on the back for accomplishing what we believe is academic success, but our wages are still at the bottom of the totem pole when compared to every other major race of people in America. Between 1865 and 1875 no race of people in the United States of America acquired more land than that group of freed slaves. My proof comes from the Oil & Gas industry. Nobody has more historical information on land ownership especially minerals than the Oil & Gas Industry. They have to get a title examination by law before they drill, and they rarely get it wrong about ownership of the minerals. This same industry delivered over 440,000 checks to the federal court as a settlement in court case MDL-1206 with our African-American ancestors on most of them. The court mailed them to the last known address of the recipients. Over 287,000 came back over 9 years ago and have not been claimed, because sad to say we do not even know our own ancestors names. They left legacies but we do not have enough common sense to find out their names, and reclaim millions of acres of mineral rights. Each check is an oil & gas check that came from the sale of that mineral on land that is still considered to be owned by our ancestors. The industry that has done more research on land ownership than any other industry. The other races have picked up their checks and claimed their minerals. What are we waiting for. The gospel of truth says a knowledgeable person will see his blessings in front of him and reach out and get them. An ignorant person will see his blessings in front of him and turn and walk away. Look in the mirror, and ask yourself. Can I really be that ignorant. I have been in the oil & gas business for 47 years. I am the only Black person in the Library of Congress, and National Oil & Gas Museum History book Black Gold. Respectfully submitted, Lee Perry, JVA Dear Editor,
Saying I’m sorry ~ the family redemption. Family blood-ties are organic rays of connections residing in nestled webs of formed fitted values and traditions – cultivated only by love. It’s a prideful personalized oasis canvased by memories and reunions collaged in a shared composite indelibly reserved in the heart. No ‘wonder’ of the world is more alluring! - Dr. Dennis Walter Smith Sr., DC Continue Reading - aframnews.com
By Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher
Accountability Part III. What About the Children?
““What about the children, to ignore is so easy; So many innocent children would choose the wrong way. So what about the children? Remember when we were children... And if not for those who loved us and who cared enough to show us... Where would we be today?” -Benjamin Winans
S
ince we are dealing with the current state of our school districts, I though it would be best if I continued with the “Accountability” series addressing Our Children. Because we are living in a day where the values that once held our communities together are a distant memory. Nobody wants to be held accountable for nothing, but, everybody wants a role in something. I guess, this wouldn’t bother me much if it wasn’t for the fact that it impacts the future of our community. We MUST Understand children are like magnets. They hear, see and imitate everything that goes on around them. And for some reason, I don’t know why… But, it just seems like they have a habit of picking up the worst of whatever they
see going on around them. Thinking on this, reminded me of the song, What About the Children? On average, I just wonder how often parents, teachers, administrators, leaders, guardians and others think about the impact they have on the young minds they have influence over. Oftentimes, people take for granted the fact that the children are watching our every move. Don’t get me wrong… I do understand in some cases, there are those who just really don’t know how to hold themselves accountable for no reason, whether it’s for the betterment of children or otherwise. Because they too selfish. It is for reasons such as these that it let’s me know, some of our children can’t help themselves because the parents and guardians are messed up too. And some of the teachers and administrators swimming in the same boat. So, What About the Children? I have visited some school campuses and honestly, I don’t know who is who. Some of the teachers have you wondering are they the students? Back in my day, leaders had certain mannerisms about themselves. You could tell they were somebody and that they held themselves accountable not only for their own, but for those around them as well. The old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child is true,” was true when I was young and still is today.
African-American News & Issues • 3
Texas • April 28 - May 4, 2019
OPINION & EDITORIAL
State of Black Texas in the Texas Legislature By Senator Borris Miles
When Democrats Win, Republicans Work to Suppress OUR Vote
T
he Texas Senate advanced Senate Bill 9 along party lines. This bill increases the penalties and criminalizes voters for innocent mistakes, expands the powers of state officials to access voters’ private and personal information and adds new barriers and penalties to volunteers who offer to help voters, whether to transport them to the polls or to assist with voting. Our community has been the target of voter suppression efforts for decades. The Black community fought for the right to vote with blood, sweat and tears. We as a community honor the men and women who fought on the front lines and we are not going to let a bill like SB 9 turn the clocks back on voting. The author of the bill indicated that SB 9’s intent was about “election integrity” and to protect the right to vote. We have heard that before and we know the truth. This bill is about Democrats winning last year’s election, taking 13 new seats in the Texas Capitol and 41 new seats in the US House. Instead
of finding a way to win back the people’s support, Republicans chose a more despicable method, trying to keep us away from the polls. Black Democrats are the backbone of the Democratic Party and turn out many voters to the polls during every election. We drive voters to the polls, our churches mobilize voters through Souls to the Polls, we help our elderly and disabled request mail ballots and we knock on doors so that our neighbors are well informed and urge them to get out and vote. Republicans see this progress and hope to dismantle it. Efforts to dismantle Black Get Out the Vote programs are already underway in other states and now they have made their way to Texas. They will use SB 9 as a way to scare, intimidate and penalize good people who are exercising their right to vote and assisting others so that they can do the same. SB 9 heads to the Texas House where OUR lawmakers are prepared to fight to ensure this bill does not pass. About the Author A native of Houston, Senator Borris L. Miles was elected to the Texas Senate in 2016 after serving four terms in the Texas House of Representatives. Miles is a successful businessman and developer, owning one of the largest insurance agencies in Texas and redeveloping two commercial blocks. He was first elected to the House in 2006 and became a leading progressive voice.
law and his constant efFor forts to obstruct justice Your Consideration were revealed in page after page of Mueller’s reBy port. Oscar H. But the most surprising Blayton thing about this episode of America’s history is not Trump’s immortality, but the sense of surprise – real or pretended – expressed o person in his or by members of the major her right mind will media outlets. deny that America When you climb into a is a thicket of racism, mipigpen to kiss a hog, you sogyny, entitlement for should not be surprised the wealthy, dishonesty, by what winds up on your and a fictitious veneer of lips. And many Americans meritocracy. have been French kissing So, it is befitting that we this swine for more than have an occupant in the two years. White House who exem-
Fearful of losing their seats by angering conservatives, these shameful Congress members are asking voters to do the job they were elected to do. Cowering before small but vocal segments of their constituencies, these self-serving politicians are willing, for the sake of their own re-elections, to surrender the public good to the worst elements of our society. When these politicians make their next predictable pilgrimages to Black churches and neighborhoods seeking what they believe are “guaranteed”
plifies all these things. Donald Trump clearly displayed his many loathsome traits before being elected to the highest office in the land. He also proved that he had neither the knowledge nor the understanding necessary to competently lead a nuclear power. The only believable aptitude that his campaign presented to the American electorate was his abiding belief in white supremacy. And he rode that one trick pony all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. After occupying the Oval Office for more than two years, Trump has had his corrupt and illegal practices laid out in more than 400 pages of a government report produced by a team of investigators and lawyers led by Special Counsel, Robert Mueller. Political pundits have expressed their shock and surprise at the depth of Trump’s immorality. The legion of lies, his schemes to overthrow the rule of
Democratic votes, they should be pressed on why they did not see fit to protect the American people and move to impeach No. 45. Every day Trump remains in office is a threat to the well-being of people of color. His policies diminish our quality of life and the tone he sets in the White House gives license to those in America whose hateful, racist inner demons have waited decades for a chance to wreak havoc on their victims. For months, Robert
Trump is a Skunk
N
After a couple years in the White House, Trump has had his illegal practices laid out in more than 400 pages of a government report by Robert Mueller. The question now should not be “How did things come to this?” The answer is clear. We elected a villain to the White House. The question we must now answer is: “How do we rid the American body politic of this cancer?” Some Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives are counseling against impeaching Trump. Instead, they call for the American voters to turn him out of office in 2020.
Mueller was hailed as the hero who had ridden in on his white horse to make everything right in Washington. But his report disappoints by failing to call out Trump’s illegal actions for what they are. Anecdotes in the Mueller Report confirming already well-founded suspicions and widely known violations of law that had been reported in the media for months did little to further inform the public of Trump’s wrongdoings. And in its present form, the report is subject to manipulation by Trump allies to normalize his behavior and anesthetize the American people to the abuse heaped upon us daily by this administration. Anyone who cannot see an attempted conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Russian government is simply choosing not to look. Anyone who is not convinced that Trump clearly obstructed – and attempted to obstruct – justice is choosing to abandon the rule of law. Trump committed his many crimes in full view of the American public, so the facts laid out in the Mueller report should come as no surprise. Right-thinking Americans should not allow politicians to be surprised at the contents of the Mueller report. Any politician who expresses such surprise is either too dishonest or too stupid to be returned to office. Continue Reading aframnews.com
4 • African-American News & Issues
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Texas • April 28 - May 4, 2019
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African-American News & Issues • 5
Texas • April 28 - May 4, 2019
WHAT’S HAPPENIN’
Aldine ISD May Community Meetings Aldine ISD has planned a series of community meetings to celebrate student success and highlight campus initiatives and programs. Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney will also share an overview of district priorities, discuss plans for the 2019-2020 school year and take questions from parents and community members in attendance. Each meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. Refreshments and child care will be available. •Thursday, May 2 Aldine High School 11101 Airline Dr. Houston, 77037 •Tuesday, May 7 Carver High School 2100 S. Victory St. Houston, 77088 •Thursday, May 16 Eisenhower High School 7922 Antoine Dr. Houston, 77088 For more information, contact the district’s Communications Office at (281) 985-6200. THURSDAY, MAY 2 “An Evening of Women’s Empowerment” with Council Member Amanda Edwards Houston Chronicle 4747 Southwest Freeway Houston, 77027 Free From 5:30-8:30p.m. THURSDAY, MAY 2 SATURDAY, MAY 4 3rd Annual National Black Film Festival AMC Houston 8 510 Texas St Houston, 77002 Starting at 6p.m. THURSDAY, MAY 2 NBFF Women in Film & Television Panel Buffalo Soldiers Museum 3816 Caroline St Houston, 77004 From 2:30-4:30p.m.
FRIDAY, MAY 3 1st Annual Ascending to Men Youth Summit Kingdom Builders’ Center 6011 Orem Dr Houston, 77085 From 9:45a.m.-3p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 4 Vegan Vibez Event-Houston Behind Warehouse Live 2117 Walker St Houston, 77003 Starting at 11:30a.m.
FRIDAY, MAY 3 Positive Black Male Association of Houston, Incorporated Scholarship Gala The Power Center 12401 South Post Oak Rd Houston, 77045
SATURDAY, MAY 4 Amplify Your Voice: Reform or Abolish: Bringing Justice to the Criminal Justice System University of Houston: Farish Hall 3657 Cullen Blvd Houston, 77204 Free Starting at 9a.m.
FRIDAY, MAY 3SUNDAY, MAY 5 2019 National Association of Celebrated Seniors (NACS) is hosting its 25th Anniversary Hyatt Regency Hotel-Downtown Houston 1200 Louisiana St Houston, 77002 For more information: www.celebratedseniors. org SATURDAY, MAY 4 Hearts of Houston Golf Tournament 2019 Benefiting Houston Food Bank Blackhorse Golf Club 12205 Fry Rd Cypress, 77433 Registration Deadline: April 20 For more information: info@heartsofhouston. com. SATURDAY, MAY 4 The Black Academy of Arts & Letters Dallas Metroplex Musicians’ Association 1319 Canton Dallas, 75202 Starting at 5p.m. SATURDAY, MAY 4 Black Wealth Bootcamp Sheraton Houston-West 11191 Clay Rd Houston, 77041 From 11a.m.-4p.m. SATURDAY, MAY 4 Job Fast Pass/Hiring Event Baker Ripley East Aldine Campus Education Center 3000 Aldine Mail Rt. Rd Houston, 77039 Starting at 9a.m. SATURDAY, MAY 4 Man’s Model Casting Call Astor Business Center 8145 Hwy 6, #138 Houston, 77083 From 1-5p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 4 Black Writer’s Support Group Free Mutual Texas Gulf Coast- Midtown Houston Office 2100 Travis St #650 Houston, 77002 Starting at 3p.m. Subscribe Today! Community News www.aframnews.com
SATURDAY, MAY 4 Texas Black Business Council-Montgomery County Initiative Business Coaching & Training Lone Star CollegeMontgomery County (Lecture Hall G102 3200 College Park Dr Conroe, 77384 From 9a.m. to 4:30p.m. SUNDAY, MAY 5 18th Annual H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards Fairmont Hotel 101 Red River St Austin, 78701
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TUESDAY, MAY 07 Amnesty International Houston Meeting Central Market Meeting Room 3815 Westheimer Houston, 77027 For more information: (713) 386-1700 From 7-8:30p.m. WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 Coast-to-Coast Career Fairs Sheraton Suites Houston Near the Galleria 2400 West Loop S Houston, 77027 From 11a.m.-2p.m.
THURSDAY, MAY 9 2019 Houston HBCU at Ease Thursday Series Buffalo Soldier National Museum 3816 Caroline St Houston, 77004 Free From 6-9p.m. FRIDAY, MAY 10 Houston Black Homeschoolers Field Day 2019 Woodland Park (in the Heights) 212 Park View Houston, 77009 Starting at 11a.m.
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6 • African-American News & Issues
HOUSTON - “When I grew up there was only two races - BLACK and WHITE! If you were Russian, Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, etc., you were White. But BLACK has always been BLACK! So, nowadays things have changed, and they are playing the double-edged sword on us... We got SOME Hispanics who want to play the ethnicity card and flip to be Mexicans, when it’s convenient for them to be a minority. But, when things start going their way, then they White. Now, that’s a heck of an identity crisis, not knowing who in the heck you are! Because, when you don’t accept who you are, you are a very dangerous person. It just shows you don’t like yourself and you durn sho can’t like nobody else.” These words were expressed by our Publisher, Roy Douglas Malonson during an intense interview, on the state of the Aldine Independent School District (AISD). As our dialog continued, it became evident that Malonson’s fierce passion for the 84-year-old district, is incited by a much wider spectrum of personal labor, involvement and activism. It was only after hearing his historical account of the District’s prior and present challenges’ and successes’, that I was able to fully ascertain the inferences
COVER STORY
he later implied. Within his delivery, Malonson raised three solid questions... Are certain Aldine I.S.D. Hispanic trustees secretly like Houston ISD Hispanic trustees, who are undermining the authority of their respective superintendents? Secondly, is nepotism within their race more important than addressing the immediate needs of the student’s quality of education? And finally, are these trustees on the verge of regressing to a former era in time, in which the District is struggling to overcome? Aldine I.S.D. History Untold: From the Perspective of Roy Douglas Malonson The Closing of G.W. Carver High School The closing of Carver started when Rufus Conley (first principal of G.W. Carver High School) and A.W. Jones (first Black Aldine I.S.D. trustee), went to court and said Acreage Home and G.W. Carver H.S., was doing well and we were equal to Aldine High School. But everybody knew that was just an outright lie! So, when they went before the judge he asked, ‘Who was our voice?’ The thing about that was, A.W. Jones was a graduate from Carver H.S. and he was on the board representing us;
he told the judge he was our voice and that hurt us bad. They closed Carver H.S. and bused the kids out and killed the community. Because school are the lifeline of the community. Enter Aldine I.S.D: The Justice Dept. & The Desegregation Plan When integration came in, Aldine I.S.D. decided to go under the Desegregation Plan.
they couldn’t find one. So, when Craig went to Washington, I told him, ‘I have one - Let’s use Aldine I.S.D.!’ Through our efforts, the Justice Department adopted Aldine I.S.D. as one of their schools for others to pattern after. They supplied us with all of the resources, and we created the Montessori Magnet Program in Acreage Home. From that, we experienced a lot of success and Al-
Texas • April 28 - May 4, 2019
dealing with the Montessori Magnet Program and the Justice Department. Yet, there was still those who wanted to get from under the Desegregation Plan. Well, here come Emmett Hill and Earl Harris. I warned Hill, if they got off from under the Desegregation Plan we would lose all of our resources and the rating we had earned. Déjà vu Once again, we
Roy Douglas Malonson & U.S. Representative Craig Washington, engaging in the brainchild discussion about Aldine I.S.D. & the Justice Department Desegregation Plan. Under the Desegregation Plan they had to go by rules, regulations and the law. Well, they were just skating... But, when then-U.S. Representative Craig Washington was elected, we found out the Justice Department was seeking a school district in the country to use as a role model since integration. At the time,
dine I.S.D. got to be one of the top five school districts in the country. And we were proud of that because, we had achieved something despite the injustices they had done in Acreage Home. You see, Aldine has a history of having a deep hatred for Black folks who have control or influence. But we continued
were confronted with the same issue, a triple-edged sword this time. Earl Harris and Emmet Hill grew up in Acreage Home; they both finished at Carver; they both still lived in the community; Harris was President of the Yorkdale/White Oak Civic Club and Hill was on the Aldine I.S.D. board. So, when
the judge asked, ‘Who was our voice?’ Hill said he was, and the request was granted. But none of this surprised me because whenever our counterparts want to get over on us, they just find the right Blacks. Needless to say, from that point forward, Aldine I.S.D. been going downhill. And their reward for taking the district under and killing the community, was having a school named after each one of them. Aldine I.S.D., We Still Have a Problem Now, it is no secret to anyone, that there is a problem and several underlying factors which exists within Aldine I.S.D. But, the first step in solving any problem is to have the intellectual honesty and courage to acknowledge there is a problem. Simple. Profound. Always true. So, Aldine I.S.D.: we have a problem that is sabotaging the bright futures of too many of our high school graduates, many of whom leave the district totally unprepared to achieve success in higher education or to have a full range of options in the increasingly complex workforce. Speaking of workforce, I always say the State of Texas made a huge mistake when they started dumbing down our schools with standardized testing and re-
Texas • April 28 - May 4, 2019
moving the trades out of the school system. And now, just when it look like we might be able to finally get something done; some of these “Rent-A-Mex’s” (as Johnny Mata say) and handkerchief head Uncle Tom’s wanna start ego-tripping. Enter Aldine I.S.D. Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, who seems absolutely dedicated to telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about the problems our families confront in our school district. Dr. Goffney is taking the challenge many steps forward by advancing an aggressive commitment to OUR CHILDREN’s futures by charting a path of bold, courageous reforms that are absolutely needed at this time. It is not surprising that a leader as honest and totally candid as Dr. Goffney has been from the day she became superintendent in July 2018 will ‘ruffle some feathers’ within the district’s large bureaucracy and even at the school board table. The Bottom Line Here’s our message to Dr. Goffney’s critics and opposers, including those that may be plotting to create roadblocks to a brighter future for OUR CHILDREN by obstructing or interfering with her
path to reform for OUR CHILDREN. African-American News & Issues stands with Dr. Goffney and her integrity and commitment to OUR CHILDREN. We will not stay silent when we observe anyone at the board table or the community trying to sabotage her agenda to restore brighter futures for OUR STUDENTS. Our stance on these issues will be 100% guided by what is in the best interest of Aldine I.S.D., OUR STUDENTS and parents. We have total confidence in Dr. Goffney’s vision of reform. Just a Quick Recap: So, let’s have some doses of reality that Dr. Goffney inherited when she became our superintendent in terms of the academic equity gaps of our at-risk students on statewide accountability standards. The following factS are from last year’s official state reports for 201718: - 6th Grade: Only 12% and 22% respectively of at-risk students met the grade level standard in reading and math. The ‘equity gaps’ (% achieving grade level) between at-risk and not at-risk students was 49% difference in both reading and math. - 7th Grade: Only 15% and 13% respectively were at grade level in reading and math
COVER STORY while the equity gaps between at-risk and not at-risk students were 46% and 44% differences in the subjects. - 8th Grade: Only 17% and 28% respectively were at grade level in reading and math while equity gaps between at-risk and not at-risk were 56% difference and 48% differences in the subjects. The picture last year in high school was even graver in English I and English II results. - English 1 End of Course: Only 16% of our at-risk students achieved meeting the grade level standard with a 68% equity gap difference between at-risk and not at-risk students. - English II End of Course: Only 21% of our at-risk students achieved meeting the grade-level standard with a 63% equity gap difference between at-risk and not at-risk students. This is not all about numbers but consider the meaning of the following fact. According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THCEB) most recent and official college graduation rates for Aldine I.S.D. high school graduates prove, “The vast, vast, vast majority of Aldine I.S.D.’s high school graduates between 2008-10 did not earn a certificate or associate degree from
a community college in Texas or a baccalaureate degree from a university in Texas. This analysis excludes a tiny fraction of students who may have enrolled in institutions outside the State of Texas.” Just to be Clear Anyone – at the school board table or in the community – who picks a fight with Dr. Goffney’s courageous acknowledgement of the challenges we confront or the path of reform she wants to lead this district will at the same time pick a fight with African-American News & Issues.
African-American News & Issues • 7
Those that want to stand in her and her team’s way should take this seriously. Since our founding, there’s no single issue that has more importance to African-American News & Issues than public education. Because personally, “When talking education, my platform has always been simple... If we are paying taxes on a school two blocks from us, every school ought to be a top Montessori Magnet performing school and they need to put the trades back in the junior and senior
high schools and they need to teach Black kids Spanish.” – Roy Douglas Malonson Concluding, there was a time a decade or so ago that the problems in Aldine were more manageable. Today, the ‘train is off the track’; Dr. Goffney took this job in Aldine I.S.D. dedicated to solving the problems; and we will be walking with her every single step of the way. As long as she stays focused and committed to doing what’s best for OUR CHILDREN; we are going to support her. And y’all can count on it.
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8 • African-American News & Issues
Texas • April 28 - May 4, 2019 ®
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