Jonathan KozolJonathan Kozol

Born in 1936Born in 1936Graduated from Harvard University with a Graduated from Harvard University with a

degree in English Literaturedegree in English Literature Involved in the Civil Rights MovementInvolved in the Civil Rights MovementTaught in Boston Public SchoolsTaught in Boston Public SchoolsFired for reading Langston Hughes’ poetry Fired for reading Langston Hughes’ poetry

to students – wrote his first novel soon to students – wrote his first novel soon afterafter

BibliographyBibliography

Prisoners of Silence: Breaking the Bonds of Adult Illiteracy in the United States (1980) On Being a Teacher (1981; revised 1994) Alternative Schools: A Guide for Educators and Parents (1982) Illiterate America (1986) Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America (1988) Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools (1991) Amazing Grace: The Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation (1995) Ordinary Resurrections: Children in the Years of Hope (2000) The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America (2005) Letters to a Young Teacher (2007)

Death at an Early Age: 1967Free Schools (1972) The Night is Dark and I am Far From Home (1975) Children of the Revolution (1980)

Shame of a NationShame of a Nation Discusses how we as a nation Discusses how we as a nation

are at least 20% of the way are at least 20% of the way back to segregation. back to segregation.

Many inner-city schools have Many inner-city schools have 99% black and Hispanic 99% black and Hispanic students. students.

Many schools do not have Many schools do not have access to technology access to technology

Class size can exceed 40 pupilsClass size can exceed 40 pupils Based on research gathered Based on research gathered

from 60 schools in 11 statefrom 60 schools in 11 state

Quote of NoteQuote of Note ““Schools that were already deeply segregated Schools that were already deeply segregated

25 or 30 years ago, like most of the schools I 25 or 30 years ago, like most of the schools I visit in the Bronx, are no less segregated now, visit in the Bronx, are no less segregated now, while thousands of other schools that had been while thousands of other schools that had been integrated either voluntarily or by the force of law integrated either voluntarily or by the force of law have since been rapidly resegregating both in have since been rapidly resegregating both in northern districts and in the broad expanses of northern districts and in the broad expanses of the South.” (p. 18)the South.” (p. 18)

Boston Area School Funding 02-03Boston Area School Funding 02-03

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

%Black/Hispanic

Per PupilSpending (in

1000s)

Newton

Brookline

Boston

Chelsea

Lawrence

Kozol SpeaksKozol Speaks

Shame of the NationShame of the Nation

A Poignant MomentA Poignant Moment

““The letter that affected me the most, The letter that affected me the most, however, had been written by a child however, had been written by a child named Elizabeth. ‘It is not fair that other named Elizabeth. ‘It is not fair that other kids have a garden and new things. But kids have a garden and new things. But we don’t have that. I wish that this school we don’t have that. I wish that this school was the most beautiful school in the whole was the most beautiful school in the whole why world.’” (p. 40)why world.’” (p. 40)

Many Inner-City SchoolsMany Inner-City SchoolsResemble a slumResemble a slumRat feces in classroomsRat feces in classroomsBroken classroom windowsBroken classroom windowsBroken desks or too few desksBroken desks or too few desksUnsafe playground with broken equipmentUnsafe playground with broken equipmentLack of heating and air conditioningLack of heating and air conditioning Insufficient or unusable restroomsInsufficient or unusable restrooms

Quote of NoteQuote of Note

““At the 75At the 75thth Street Elementary School in Street Elementary School in South Central Los Angeles…the presence South Central Los Angeles…the presence of rats was only one of a number of health of rats was only one of a number of health hazards children had to face. Exposed hazards children had to face. Exposed asbestos and the presence of flaking chips asbestos and the presence of flaking chips of lead-based paints were serious of lead-based paints were serious problems too.” (p. 172)problems too.” (p. 172)

Instruction Instruction High number of unqualified teachers with High number of unqualified teachers with

high turn-over ratehigh turn-over rateDue to high turnover, some schools use Due to high turnover, some schools use

scripted curriculumscripted curriculumOne student reported having 13 teachers One student reported having 13 teachers

in a single school yearin a single school yearThe Skinnerian Approach sometimes usedThe Skinnerian Approach sometimes usedDirect command, absolute control, and Direct command, absolute control, and

rote-and drill curricularote-and drill curriculaBusinesses donating money for control of Businesses donating money for control of

curriculumcurriculum

Quote of NoteQuote of Note

““The introduction of Skinnerian The introduction of Skinnerian approaches, which are commonly approaches, which are commonly employed in penal institutions and drug employed in penal institutions and drug rehabilitation programs, as a way of rehabilitation programs, as a way of altering the attitudes and learning styles of altering the attitudes and learning styles of black and Hispanic children is provocative, black and Hispanic children is provocative, and it has stirred outcries from respected and it has stirred outcries from respected scholars.” (p. 64-65)scholars.” (p. 64-65)

NCLBNCLB

A huge struggle for inner-city and poor A huge struggle for inner-city and poor rural schoolsrural schools

They have received cut-backs, like many They have received cut-backs, like many other schoolsother schools

Currently, government has allocated only Currently, government has allocated only half the funds that were authorized to meet half the funds that were authorized to meet NCLBNCLB

Is No Child Left Behind actually leaving Is No Child Left Behind actually leaving more children behind?more children behind?

ReflectionReflection Informative and life-changingInformative and life-changingDisturbingDisturbingHow do you motivate these students when How do you motivate these students when

it is so clear to them that the world has it is so clear to them that the world has already made up its mind about their already made up its mind about their worth? worth?

““Kozol says that when he began his work Kozol says that when he began his work in education decades ago, he thought he in education decades ago, he thought he could effect change. Now, he says, he's could effect change. Now, he says, he's just a witness.” - Sara Neufeld, Baltimore just a witness.” - Sara Neufeld, Baltimore SunSun

Kozol’s ConclusionKozol’s Conclusion “Teachers and principals should not permit the

beautiful profession they have chosen to be redefined by those who know far less than they about the hearts of children… Schools can probably survive quite well without their rubric charts and numbered standards-listings plastering the walls. They can’t survive without good teachers and, no matter what curriculum may be in place…they are no good at all if teachers are unable to enjoy the work they do and be invigorated by its unpredictables.”