SOMA Black Parents Workshop Lawsuit

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, was raised in the current STEM discussion. It can probably sustain its own thread.

https://m.facebook.com/SOMABlackParentsWorkshop/posts/1520886058038402

Haven't had a chance to read it, but the full complaint seems to be linked at Village Green:

https://villagegreennj.com/schools-kids/suit-charges-south-orange-maplewood-with-continued-discrimination-seeks-12m-to-fix-de-facto/

The complaint and exhibits, along with a press release describing the lawsuit, are on the website of the Black Parents Workshop.

https://blackparentsworkshop.org/

Correct me if I'm wrong, but nothwithstanding plaintiffs' demand for SOMSD to offer an AP African-American History course, I don't think that the College Board offers an AP test in African-American History.

Thanks for that link. A quick glimpse through the Exhibits was informative. 

For example, the students who weren't allowed to change levels first thing in September (up or down) seemed a likely area for a challenge (as examples of not being allowed up levels are provided in Exhibit #3, and on MOL in the opposite direction:  https://maplewood.worldwebs.com/forums/discussion/new-chs-guidance-director-uses-access-equity-plan-to-force-my-daughter-to-stay-in-ap-class?page=next&limit=90#discussion-replies-3330441

How is suing for millions in damages going to solve the problem(s)?  Seems counterproductive to me and it undermines the credibility of main arguments presented by the plaintiffs.

yahooyahoo said:

How is suing for millions in damages going to solve the problem(s)?  Seems counterproductive to me and it undermines the credibility of main arguments presented by the plaintiffs.

Exactly!  The BOE just essentially develelled what was left of CHS, so it is clear that the motivation here is money and self-promotion, at the expense of our kids, our taxes and the reputation of our community with these trumped up accusations.

FWIW, according to the Village Green the suit: 

"... asks for an array of programs and initiatives that the plaintiffs estimate would cost in excess of $12 million, in addition to compensatory damages on behalf of the student-plaintiffs"

Are these the same people who were defending that Principal who bullied the sub?

I wish I knew the solution.  I want people to get the education they need.  We just don't have the money for everything.  So what happens?  Do we teach to the lowest level possible to include everyone?  I admit that I have not walked a mile in anyone else's shoes, but I have put a lot of effort into helping my child get the most out of school.  I'd hate to see the budget drained even more.

Klinker yes they are. Walter Fields.

Despite what I may think of Mr. Fields or his motivations, I think it would be a mistake to dismiss, out-of-hand, some of the concerns he brings up and some solutions he suggests.

Klinker said:

Are these the same people who were defending that Principal who bullied the sub?

If you mean defending her actions, no. If you mean defending her by denouncing the district’s and union’s responses, yes.

DaveSchmidt said:

Klinker said:

Are these the same people who were defending that Principal who bullied the sub?

If you mean defending her actions, no. If you mean defending her by denouncing the district’s and union’s responses, yes.

A strike against them, in other words.

Does anyone know what her status is now?  I am very much hoping it is "fired".

How do similarly diverse districts handle leveling?  It would be interesting to know what Montclair, West Orange and other districts do.  In districts that are predominately White/Asian, there are usually very well stated guidelines as to who is in accelerated or honors and who is not.  If your AP Physics class is mostly Asian, then that’s just the way it is.

By allowing any parent to pick their child’s level, I would think that it eliminates any sort of race based bias.  That’s not the way it works in most places, and if your kid can’t keep up, it doesn’t mean the system is inherently biased.  The solution in MSO has always been to appease people who aren’t happy about their kids placement and just put all the children together and ignore any differences in ability, interest, or dedication.  This kind of policy might serve average kids, but it denies opportunities at the top and bottom for children to work at their own pace.

It’s also not surprising that the guy who has been beating the drum of segregation for years because his kid wasnt able to handle an honors course is now demanding millions in financial compensation.

.

DaveSchmidt said:

Klinker said:

Are these the same people who were defending that Principal who bullied the sub?

If you mean defending her actions, no. If you mean defending her by denouncing the district’s and union’s responses, yes.

I’d say it was just a tad more than that.

sprout said:

Despite what I may think of Mr. Fields or his motivations, I think it would be a mistake to dismiss, out-of-hand, some of the concerns he brings up and some solutions he suggests.

Some.  Most?  Um, no.  And some are just laughable. 

An attempt to disguise the obvious.  This is not about equal opportunities.  These people want equal outcomes.  Sorry- not possible.  The $12MM is an old trick.  It's a stupid attempt to establish urgency or importance.  People, this is BS>

Understand, when you discuss this, that the complaint is accusing the district of intentional wrongdoing.  A complaint is not just some convenient method to raise ideas about educational policy, which you may or may nor agree with.  It's an accusation.  

Campbell throughout the history of MOL, I know you moved. Can you compare your experiences at SOMA with the new school that you child attends? Just looking at private schools, and just wow. I am seeing no alternative but to move which infuriates me. I cannot see this going in any other direction in this district except towards a complete deleveling based on ideology and emotion. No concern of actual results and data analysis, just a belief that the district is racist, and once that is fixed the achievement gap will be gone. 

bub said:

Understand, when you discuss this, that the complaint is accusing the district of intentional wrongdoing.    

IANAL, but I suspect that if any exception cases were made to the 'no course level changes' rule (e.g., due to parental influence), and it is found that making an exception vs. not making an exception differed based on race of the students, some damages will be awarded. 

Klinker said:

DaveSchmidt said:

Klinker said:

Are these the same people who were defending that Principal who bullied the sub?

If you mean defending her actions, no. If you mean defending her by denouncing the district’s and union’s responses, yes.

A strike against them, in other words.

Does anyone know what her status is now?  I am very much hoping it is "fired".

She is still employed by the district. She is currently on special assignment in the administrative offices.

"I cannot see this going in any other direction in this district except towards a complete deleveling based on ideology and emotion. No concern of actual results and data analysis, just a belief that the district is racist, and once that is fixed the achievement gap will be gone. "

This is my understanding of what may be happening as well.  Hope I'm wrong, because as a minority, it makes me sad that some of us use our race in this way.  

o 

ctrzaska said:

sprout said:

Despite what I may think of Mr. Fields or his motivations, I think it would be a mistake to dismiss, out-of-hand, some of the concerns he brings up and some solutions he suggests.

Some.  Most?  Um, no.  And some are just laughable. 

Agreed, but as I understand it, most studies on the gap suggest that while the school plays a role, most of the disparity comes from surrounding environments and the focus and reinforcement on the value of academic achievement. I cant help but believe the efforts would be more effective if aimed at helping develop a more supportive academic environment outside of school to help children who are not performing as well as their potential in school. 

Yes

Klinker said:

Are these the same people who were defending that Principal who bullied the sub?

yahooyahoo said:

Yes

Klinker said:

Are these the same people who were defending that Principal who bullied the sub?

So they are cool with bigotry and prejudice just as long as it is not directed at them.  

sprout said:

Despite what I may think of Mr. Fields or his motivations, I think it would be a mistake to dismiss, out-of-hand, some of the concerns he brings up and some solutions he suggests.

this.

It appears the new administration is taking steps to remedy many of the concerns, so the timing of the suit seems unfortunate.  But to be fair it's been decades that these issues have been raised and very little if any progress has been made, so I can understand the Black Parents Workshop not wanting to be patient and see if this time is when their concerns are met.

But even leaving aside the achievement gap, and whatever outside factors people may think contribute to it, there are undoubtedly issues of bias present in the district.  Over time, demographic trends in various neighborhoods have certainly led to de facto segregation among the schools.  The figures on discipline by race of student are pretty starkly divergent.  Those are two very big and obvious issues that need to be addressed, and hopefully the new administration has some solutions.

Patient?  Bear in mind this is the second lawsuit.  The district settled one four years ago with a consent decree.  It is the failure to fulfill the conditions of the consent decree that has triggered this lawsuit.  If you think this lawsuit is frivolous or self serving, just remember that the district did not settle the previous suit because they thought they were going to win it. 

Where is the data analysis of the deleveling (except math) of the middle school in 2010? Did the achievement gap decrease with this change? If not why are we continuing the deleveling? Answer the question of why the achievement gap occurs in an unleveled grammar school? If the grammar school is not producing the desired results why would it be logical to think that making these changes in high school or middle school would have any different results?  Did the changes with opening up all the higher level courses make a difference? Why not? There is a choice now. Where is the end goal, is there one? 

What if the changes don't produce the desired results, what then?