B.P. asks from San Jose, CA on October 17, 2008
Seeking Mom's Advice on Racist Policy at Local School.
Has anyone else ever had their child removed from school, with the "off the record" reason been your child's ethnicity, gender and size? I recently posted that my 4 year old son was not a fit for Challenger School, Harwood. I have since found out from the Director of the preschool, that one of the major reasons for his "dismissal" is that only 10% of the Challenger PRE-K population is caucasian, which from her perspective translates into my son being larger than the other kids, more animated, and more challenging than the other more "docile" kids. The Director actually acknowledged that white boys are not set up to succeed at this campus and that very few make it through their program, as the teachers don't want the challenge of this demographic. They would rather bring in "easier kids" I was literally in awe and saddened. For many years, I served as an intsructor of Multicultural Leadershipat the Collegiate Level....I am just floored that the leadership of a school would actually eliminate entire demographics as they tend to be more challenging.....based upon gender, race and size. This seems to be systemic racism. Has ANYONE else had this experience and is there anything I can do?? My son is starting a new school on Monday, but I am still in total awe......and wondering what my next steps could be.
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B.L. answers from San Francisco on October 18, 2008
Even though this is a private school, this IS A LAWSUIT if I have ever heard of one.
Contact an attorney, through Legal Aid or the ACLU(who I do not generally agree with) as they are the ones to handle this.
It just feels very wrong.
Good Luck -
Blessings,
B.
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J.M. answers from San Francisco on October 18, 2008
They are wrong in dismissing your child. You need a preschool that gives them academics combined with play time. My three kids went to Clement Preschool. The Kindergarten teacher told me that any kid coming from Clement is always far above those at other preschools. They have a wonderful program and a huge playground. Give them a call and get your child enrolled. You will not be disappointed.
Clement Preschool
###-###-####
On Branham in between Almaden and Pearl.
2 moms found this helpful
L.A. answers from San Francisco on October 19, 2008
Hi B.,
I'm so sorry you've had this experience. It does sound like something that would shock me also, especially from the director of the preschool. Like others, I feel that since this preschool is a private one, you may not have much recourse unless they accept state funds.
Private schools sometimes have their own 'board' and the board approves policies about acceptance and about dismissal from the school. Did the director share anything like that with you? I'm wondering if they followed their own policy. I certainly hope your years tuition was refunded if you had to pay ahead. Their school is expensive and I can't imagine paying twice!
I hope your son's new preschool is wonderful, that the teacher is amazing and that he loves every minute!
I have three grown children; 20, 23 and 25. I work in the education department in San Jose at Parents Helping Parents.
Our agency gets a lot of calls from parents whose children have been 'dismissed' from private preschools and private schools as well. It happens more than you would think.
Take good care and help your son view it in a positive light. Sometimes schools are like trying on clothes; you have to find the right 'fit'. L.
1 mom found this helpful
J.C. answers from San Francisco on October 18, 2008
I am absolutely disgusted by this director's "reasoning" for dismissal. This preschool program is suppose to adhere to state licensing rules. I don't know if it will do anything, but you you could complain to licensing. As a early childhood educator, I never recommend Challenger schools because they are overly academic and this is not what preschool children need because it is not developmentally appropriate for them. I strongly encourage you to find a play based program. Parents are often mislead to believe that Challenger (and some other schools) offer this academic edge to succeed in elementary school but it doesn't allow them to receive the amount of play time and socialization that they need to thrive for healthy development. I'm sure some may disagree about academic preschools, but read the research. The National Association for the Education of Young Children website (naeyc.org) will give you ample information regarding appropriate, high quality preschools. Just to let you know, I have 3 caucasian boys who went to a play based preschool and are now excelling in elementary school and middle school. Good luck with this. I'll be very interested to hear your follow-up.
Take care, J.
1 mom found this helpful
N.A. answers from San Francisco on October 18, 2008
Hi B.,
Having worked in the public school system for some 30 years, I am in shock! I would say consult a lawyer, but unfortunately, it's probably your word against hers/his. I would, however, write a letter to the big wigs at Challenger--this will help you get it out of your system and may do some good. Then I would wash my hands of them and enjoy your son and his new school! But, I would also build a repore with his new teachers, and let them know you want to work with them to help your child succeed.
Regarding contacts to Board of Education--Challenger is a private school, and therefore not part of the public system. They may be able to give you a contact because of the discrimination, but private schools get to make their "own rules". Good Luck. N.
1 mom found this helpful
E.W. answers from San Francisco on October 18, 2008
What would be worse is if your child enrolled and was labelled and treated as a problem from the start. Making a complaint puts the school on notice, but given what you know your son is better off not attending - you want him to have the best chance of succeeding. By the way, I chose not to send my daughter to a Challenger School for the same reasons many cite. A great education, in my opinion, develops creative, critical thinkers by synthesizing academic and enrichment activities.
1 mom found this helpful
L.G. answers from San Francisco on October 18, 2008
Hi B.,
As a teacher, I spent my first year teaching at a Challenger school - and got out into the public school system as soon as possible. In my opinion, I would not send my child to a Challenger school, so maybe this is a silver-lined cloud for you. My observations were that, across the grades, Challenger was more about memorization and drilling/practice, even in the lower grades. Also, they only let certain children in to begin with. They boast high test scores, but they screen the children and usually will not let them in if they are not already high performers in testing. There is not much room for children to have independent thoughts. From my observations, there was no cooperative learning going on. There were few discussions. There was a lot of lecture and drilling, though. How do children learn to think for themselves if they are told everything?! As an educator, that is not how I'd want my child to be taught. So, this may be the best thing that happened for your son's education.
1 mom found this helpful
K.M. answers from San Francisco on October 18, 2008
Hi B.,
I am not a teacher so I am not really sure who you need to contact BUT please if you have the time write up a complaint. This is ridiculous, and as soon as you tell a parent that your child is dismissed based on gender/ race or religion you are in violation according to the laws of this country. I cannot believe that the director would make such as ignorant comment. I hope you find better school for your child.
K.
1 mom found this helpful
N.B. answers from San Francisco on October 20, 2008
Perhaps you can send a complaint to the Better Business Bureau
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