‘A Deep Wedge Between the Races’
Noted education writer Jonathan Kozol is so concerned about No Child Left Behind that he's on a 'partial fast' to oppose reauthorization of the law.
No Child Left Behind incites fierce passions from opponents, but a hunger strike? Respected education author Jonathan Kozol, 71, has been on a "partial fast" since July to call attention to what he calls the racist agenda inherent in the federal education reform act signed into law by President Bush in 2001.
Kozol has been a longtime chronicler of inequalities in American education. Back in 1968, as a brand-new teacher, he published "Death at an Early Age," an account of the terrible conditions in an impoverished African-American school in Boston. His latest book, "Letters to a Young Teacher," was published in September. NEWSWEEK's Peg Tyre recently spoke with Kozol. Excerpts:
NEWSWEEK: What is a partial fast?
Jonathan Kozol: I take mostly liquids, but because of certain medical conditions, my doctor insists I take some solid nourishment. So far I've lost 29 pounds.
Don't you think that a partial fast is a little extreme?
I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't believe that No Child Left Behind is driving a deep wedge between the races.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I'm determined to convince the Democratic leadership not to genuflect in front of a racist and overly punitive education law that Republicans have foisted on our public schools. So far, I've spoken to almost all key Democratic senators [on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee] and presented a number of specific proposals [to change and improve the law]. Sen. [Edward M.] Kennedy, the chairman of the committee—who I have known for 40 years, who I like tremendously, who I went away with on weekend retreats before this bill was debated the first time around … now, he refuses to even return my calls.
So you are fasting until Senator Kennedy returns your call?
I think he made a very bad mistake when he agreed to cosponsor this bill. I think he will be resistant to the sweeping changes I'm proposing. But as a lifelong Democrat, I don't believe I should let the people I trust off the hook. It's very hard to challenge a man I admire so very much.
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Member Comments
Posted By: MistyCarmichael @ 03/22/2008 8:14:41 AM
Comment: In the Central Valley of California the reason test scores are low is because of the enormous number of students that disrespect their teachers, bully their classmates, and disrupt the classroom. I am shocked at student behavior. Many "minority" parents declare they have little or no influence over their child's behavior when the school administrators and teachers contact them. Here in the Central Valley the "minority" is the majority. All races get the same opportunity at an education except that the "minorities" have more programs to help them.
Posted By: sammy2008 @ 12/23/2007 8:16:10 AM
Comment: Didn't you hear that the new spending bill just went through Congress? It gives just over $60 Billion to U.S. Education and $70 Billion to continuing the wars in Iraq and Afganistan... That's more than 1/10! See, now that you know, don't you feel better?
Posted By: sammy2008 @ 12/23/2007 8:15:22 AM
Comment: Didn't you hear that the new spending bill just went through Congress? It gives just over $60 Billion to U.S. Education and $70 Billion to continuing the wars in Iraq and Afganistan... That's more than 1/10! See, now that you know, don't you feel better?