School Choice without equity is cover for inequality in our public schools

 Dr. Robert Cotto from Trinity College talking "School Choice" with Dr. Jesse P. Turner Literacy Professor Emeritus, and Readman: Truth to Power Hour host on 103.5 FM New Haven on Friday 6/6/25. 



Dr. Cotto and I see school choice as smoke and mirrors for the status quo of inequality in Connecticut, and around the nation. It gives cover to legislative leaders for inequality in our schools, leads to massive declines in local public school populations, and takes away funding from community public school schools. School choice has not desegregated our schools, they have actually increased racial isolation for Black and Brown children. 

If you like a quick look at the desegregation failure of School Choice programs? Here is a link to UCONN Today link https://today.uconn.edu/2022/06/understanding-segregation-and-school-choice/# 

Come listen to our discussion on School Choice today on the air, link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO7GAi3AAzQ  Be informed. 



If you like to listen to the song that inspired me today, its Joe Bataan "Poor Boy" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIB2av7TvN4&list=PLJLAdjFrCeXq_MwhyveDIJPyfyv7D69Nn&index=4

The new Attack on Public Schools in Communities of color

 

Just saying if they really cared

"More than 50 years of research across more than 60 studies show that students with access to well-resourced school libraries with certified librarians consistently perform better academically and score higher on standardized assessments.2 While underserved students see even bigger gains from robust library services, they are less likely to have access to these resources. Meanwhile, information literacy is becoming increasingly important in an age of misinformation and disinformation. Yet since 2000, there has been a nearly 20 percent drop in school librarian positions, which translates to 10,000 fewer full-time school librarians across the country.3 While more than 90 percent of schools in the United States have school libraries, only about 60 percent have full-time librarians, according to a 2019 report from the American Library Association (ALA). Read on to see the trend of closing school libraries and the damage being done. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/investing-in-school-libraries-and-librarians-to-improve-literacy-outcomes/

Moving beyond the endless same old same old, the test scores are falling 

Rather than talking about the low scores of Black children, we should talking about the decline in funding for school libraries in Black and Brown communities. One of the most harmful trends in America’s public schools in poor communities of color is cutting librarians and media specialist in these schools. Not to mention the total defunding of libraries in poor communities.

If your aim is to ban books, nothing bands truth like closing libraries.

Trust me Connecticut is not immune from this trend.

So, before you start talking low scores, let talk underfunding the very places that provide access to large selections of book to Black and Brown families.

Expect a 103.5 FM New Haven Readman: Truth to Power show in August on this issue.

6 decades of research point to the libraries and access to books as one of the best ways to improve test scores.

Tell it on every street corner,

whisper it in every alley,

Shout it at every school board meeting,

Tell it on every mountain,

Leadership that defunds and closes school libraries in poor communities does not care about all children.

I will be silent,

Dr. Jesse P. Turner

Professor Emeritus of Literacy, Elementary, and Early Childhood,

Host of The 103.5 FM New Haven Readman: Truth to Power Hour



The song the inspired my morning walk today is Public Enemy "Don't Believe the Hype" https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=jfxvYcen4KI

Mr. President 880,000 TRIO Trafromative Voices beg to differ

 

Today, as the President talks of cutting TRIO programs from his budget, 4 TRIO Program voices from 1974 to 2025 spoke up for future TRIO students.                                                     We are the voices of TRIO hope.  President Trump wants to end TRIO Programs at our colleges and universities. Today, on the Readman: Truth to Power Hour, at 11:AM EST on 103.5 FM New Haven Community Radio. We paid homage to Rev Allen, my Equal Opportunity Grant College advisor. He loved wearing bow ties. He was the director of a TRIO College Program at Saint Peter's College. EOP was a place where a kid who had the heart but not the means to pay for college was given an opportunity. Rev Allen, we say TRIO opened the door, but you have to run with it. I expect to see you all on graduation day. Today I interviewed Julio Muniz from Academic Affairs, Teacher Prep Coordinator, and a former TRIO Graduate like me. He is bringing two TRIO students as well. We talked about the TRIO story from At Risk to Resiliency. We did not call the President out. We shared our TRIO voices of hope to help him understand that these programs are the things that give hope to the American dream.  We simply share our stories, hoping to persuade him to change his mind.  Amanda Gorman in her Inaugural Poem "The Hill We Climb" opening words: " When day comes, We ask ourselves, Where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry, A sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast, We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, And the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always justice. And yet the dawn is ours before, We knew it, Somehow, we do it, Somehow, we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, But simply unfinished. " When she said these words for President Biden's Inaugural, I felt as if she was reaching into the hearts of all TRIO students. This one is for all our millions of TRIO sisters and brothers, This is the link to our show and a summary as well.  https://www.facebook.com/NewHavenIndependent/videos/909040844636312  The Readman Truth To Power Hour: Trio Promise: "At Risk To Resiliency" May 9, 7:52 am, 58 min "The discussion on "The Readman Truth To Power Hour: Trio Promise: 'At Risk To Resiliency'" highlighted the transformative impact of the TRIO program. Dr. Jesse Turner and guests, Ericka Alfred, Angel Diaz-Salgado, and Julio Muniz, shared personal stories and the program's benefits. TRIO supports students from middle school to graduate levels, helping over 880,000 annually. Ericka and Angel emphasized the program's role in fostering community, academic success, and personal growth. Julio underscored the program's holistic approach, including mental health and career guidance. They urged policymakers to recognize TRIO's importance in promoting education and social justice."  If you like to listen to the tune that inspired my show today, it is Scoot Huron: The Revolution Won't Be Televised https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwSRqaZGsPw  Fight the power, Dr/ Jesse P. Turner  Amanda Gorman