Journal of a Black Teacher

Creating equity between different groups of parents is not just logistical; it is ethical.  By Don Allen - Journal of A Black Teacher (2025) Editorial Opinion   In public schools, we believe that parent involvement is crucial for student success. In reality, however, schools sideline their best players, the parents, especially in low-income neighborhoods where help is needed the most. What we've referred to as "site councils" is now mostly pro forma. These old models were intended to insert parent voices into school decision-making. Today, they are mostly used as tools of compliance, meeting state mandates and district expectations, but not really partnering with families. In the majority of school districts, especially in inner cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, parental engagement deteriorates the nearer you reach the poorest schools. This isn't by chance. Sometimes this exclusion is a strength, not a weakness; limiting parent participation in decision-making pre...

“A simple question deserves a simple answer.” By Don Allen, Journal of a Black Teacher (2024) ( Photo :  Dr. Boyce Watkins X feed; Fair Use) The erosion of our social structures concerning Black children is a topic that consistently sparks my curiosity. I often find myself contemplating the reasons behind this decline and the impact it has on our communities. About four years ago, I began to delve deeper into my readings. I realized that the issues affecting the Twin Cities could potentially arise in other cities, and local communities had to find ways to restore collaboration and human capital to enhance the city for the betterment of local businesses, neighborhoods, and, most importantly, the people. However, I couldn't comprehend the exposure of our 12-16-year-old children to adult situations while exploring downtown with the same level of enthusiasm as adults. Though it may not be a popular question, the most crucial one that demands an immediate answer is: where are the parent...

  In the Fall of 2023, at the beginning of the new academic school year, I am asking all of my students to make a video for their parents by reading this letter; also, I'm collecting data (see the bottom).  by Don Allen, M.A. Ed./MAT  Dear Parent: You Are The Key To My Success At School. Can We Partner? Students read : As a student, the key to my success at school lies in the partnership between you, me, and my teachers. You undeniably play a crucial role in shaping my educational journey, and your involvement can greatly impact my academic performance. Your involvement provides me with a strong support system. When you take an active interest in my education, it sends a powerful message that education is important and valued in our home. This encouragement motivates me to strive for excellence and gives me the confidence I need to succeed. Furthermore, I become aware of my strengths and weaknesses when you are involved in my education. This knowledge allows me to provide...

  By Don Allen, M.A. Ed./MAT - Entry: J ournal of a Black Teacher May 26, 2023 Today, I am frustrated.      I’ve worked for the last seven years to understand the data-driven defeat of some of our most reputable educational institutions. When I write ‘defeat,’ it does not mean the system is not functioning at some level; you have buses, students, passing bells, teachers, social workers, counselors, administrators, and such with an output that might not meet the core ethics of society’s expectations for a well-rounded education system (creating Minnesota’s Best Workforce ). I could be wrong. Maybe people don’t care? I don’t hold any of the power; if I did, the conversation would look different. To be honest, I do not understand the current rules about being just fine with less and inefficient with what you have. Processing the Twin Cities' educational information for understanding and critique is very different from simply blaming the school systems for the ...

  Written by Don Allen, M.A. Ed. /MAT Economically Disadvantaged Students K-12  According to a study done economically disadvantaged students are the ones that mostly belong to a household that meets the income standards for free or reduced-price meals. This is because they live in poverty. This information about the economic status of individual students has been a result of county data on scholarship information and post-secondary options information. Economically disadvantaged children have a hard time succeeding in school. Most of the students in this state tend to drop out of school and choose a low-paying job because it is hard for them to keep up with their well-off peers. They become a center of ridicule because they cannot be able to afford to dress in fashionable clothes or even pay a fee for an educational trip (Thompson).  There are various reasons as to why there are economically challenged students, first is the income status. Poverty either situat...