Disturbing numbers indeed at APS

I found the article in today’s Albuquerque Journal regarding a federal report detailing disparities in various education measures between Hispanics and whites to be incredibly problematic and designed to misinform rather than inform.

For starters, the disparity in numbers of Hispanics in advanced classes and that are suspended has little to do with “discrimination” on the part of APS (here I am, defending APS). Rather, it is more likely that the Hispanic students APS is dealing with are less-prepared academically and prone to more discipline problems. I know it is not politically-correct to say so, but the truth hurts sometimes. That is not to say that APS and other school districts in New Mexico cannot do a better job of educating our kids, but to label this “discrimination” is simply unfounded and unwise.

Also of interest were the measured remarks of Ralph Arellanes of LULAC. Despite what amounts to accusations of “racism” at APS by the US Department of Education, he never attacks APS Superintendent Winston Brooks. Contrast that with the harsh rhetoric towards Secretary Skandera in a recent article on the “achievement gap.” Perhaps this is because Skandera is “rocking the boat” demanding tough reforms while Brooks is part of the establishment?

School reforms are needed. In New Mexico, with a majority-minority student population, making all our schools better will inherently help Hispanics and other minorities avoid some of the problems this study highlights. Levying charges of “discrimination” based on these data differences is not going to move the discussion in the right direction.