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Ken Davis talks about issues of racism in education Thursday at the James Areida Education Support Center in Lodi. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

A conversation with Ken Davis

LUSD board president offers thoughts on race, education and more


Tuesday, December 18, 2007 5:31 PM PST

Comments (53 comment(s))

After 15 years on the Lodi Unified school board, Ken Davis, 56, has seen the district build 11 new schools and pass a quarter-of-a-billion dollars in bond measures.

Last week, his fellow board members elected him to serve his seventh term as board president, a position he says is a privilege and an honor. However, it's also a position that comes with challenges.

Just one of those challenges is closing the achievement gap between white and minority students.

The district has recently entered into a conversation with its staff members about the role race plays in the classroom.

Davis, who grew up in Arkansas during desegregation, says that when he takes part in that conversation he brings with him his life experiences. He recently sat down with News-Sentinel staff writer Amanda Dyer to discuss his thoughts on the race discussion in Lodi Unified School District.

Q: What are some of the ways that the district is working to close the achievement gap between white and minority students?

A: What we're doing is looking at individualized lesson plans for kids who learn differently than other kids. We're also doing a lot of teacher retraining. We are changing the curriculum to fit the needs of the lowest-achieving kids. ...

And as you know, in the past, we've been having a very courageous conversation about how race affects achievement in the classroom.

Q: Can you tell me a little bit about the equity initiative?

A: Well, the district is looking at — and all districts are looking at the same theme — and that is why kids of color are not achieving at the level that white kids learn and achieve.

We brought in the Pacific Education Group to do some training with our teachers, our administrators and our board. We all went through the same training on that to look at issues of race and how it affects learning.

All the data up and down the state and across the nation shows that there is an inequity between how white kids learn and how kids of color learn and the correlation between what that teacher looks like in the classroom. ...

I don't think anybody in this district has ever called anybody a "racist." But people are drawing the generalization about that. And those are the issues that detract away from what are we doing with kids. Are we doing our best work with kids? ...

I have never, and as board president, I would never condone that kind of language in this district. ...

People draw conclusions from information that's out there based on their experience and their culture.

And, you know what? I don't have any control over that. Because when I come to the table I bring something different. I grew up in a society where I was told that I was less than, that I would never achieve and that I had little or no value.

That is the culture that I grew up in, and that is the culture that I came out of. So, I bring that background with me.

Other people bring different backgrounds with them. We all bring different backgrounds with us. ...

It was 41 years ago where I came up from a system where race was a big issue. Blacks didn't have first-class citizenship. I was born in '51. That was before Brown.

That was when segregation was the law in this country. I didn't go to school with white kids until I hit the ninth grade. I went to all-black schools.

Q: What was that like?

A: Well, it was the only world that I knew. I didn't know that white kids on the white side of town had stadiums and swimming pools and each kid had a book and they had heated rooms ... that's not what we had on our side of town.

If you don't know what you don't have, you don't know. But once the integration piece came, and this was in the early '60s, when I moved from the black schools to the white schools, it was very clear that we weren't wanted there.

And we were told every day we weren't wanted there. We got in fights every day. I still have the scars from some of the beatings that I took from being at that school every day.

It was like going into a war zone every day. I was 13, 14 years old, and I was on my own. And so, I got a beating every day I went to school. And I knew every day I got up and went to school, I was going to get a beating, but it wasn't going to stop me from going to school.

That's what it was like when you go through that. So, that's what I bring to the table. I know what's it's like to feel like you're unwanted. I know what it's like to feel that you're not as good as the next person.

In my lifetime, I've had to use the fountains that (said) "colored only." I've had to go in the back doors of restaurants. I've been denied rooms at hotels and motels. So, I know what that part of life is like.

So, if at any point in my life I have an opportunity to address that piece so that some other child doesn't have to live like that, then I think I have an obligation and a duty to do that.

Because I've been there. I know how much that hurts … You don't have the rights and privileges. You don't deserve the same kind of education.

And so when I talk about what I bring to the table, I bring a history, a historical piece of that, that pretty much speaks for itself.

Q: Can you elaborate on some comments you made on a Sacramento television station's panel discussion in which you talked about a "I-have-you-in-my-class-but-I-don't-have-to-teach-you" attitude?

A: The context of our panel was about education in California and I related an incident that I had when I grew up. And that was when I went to Little Rock Central. I had a teacher who stood in the door and said to me: "The law says you have to be here. I don't have to teach you."

And I said what I see is that attitude. That attitude and that behavior is, "I have you in my classroom, I don't have to teach you." I talked about an attitude and a behavior. ...

I didn't say Lodi. The conversation (was) around the achievement gap in schools. Because there were a number of us from different areas.

But that is an attitude. And I can only give you my opinion, but I can also show you the data that black kids aren't achieving, because I believe there's a different standard for them.

It's something that you see in the data. If you look at the data. If you just disaggregate the data and look at the data and see which kids are not performing, which ones are below basic, which ones are basic and those that are performing at proficient.

Those kids who are below basic and at basic are the kids of color.

This is the data speaking. It's not Ken Davis. This is the data.

So, you have to ask yourself, "Why is that happening?" ...

It's the data. It's the data that's saying something is going on in that classroom where these kids aren't getting what they need.

And it's not just me. They want to blame Ken Davis if they want, and I don't have a problem with that because that comes with the job. ...

But what I can say is that I've been doing this job for 15 years. And for 15 years I've been putting teachers on pedestals, talking about the wonderful work they do.

I have never shied away from that. I have made some outstanding comments about the work that teachers do in this district since the day that I have been here. And if they want to sum up my service in this district in one paragraph, then that's their right. But one thing I won't do is go back and change my words because I've been consistent for 15 years about what I think about the teachers in this district.

Q: I'm guessing that the video (on white privilege) was part of this conversation that's going on between people in the district. By watching the video, how does that help kids in the classroom?

A: The intent, I can only speak to what the intent was, is to make us more self-aware of some of our own biases and some of the things that we hold as privilege. ....

People who want to deny that there's white privilege, they have every right to do that.

I grew up in a country — I'm going to go back to the same thing to my roots. I grew up in country where I didn't have the same privilege that they did. My parents couldn't vote because they were black. That was a white privilege. My parents couldn't move into certain neighborhoods because that was for white people. That was a white privilege. ...

So, I know what white privilege looks like, and I know it exists. If people choose to deny that it exists, that's their right. Maybe they don't see through the lens I see through. ...

The idea is not to force this down anybody's throat by any means. But if you're going to be working with children, all these kids come to you with different needs. You have to be able to recognize what they come to you with, the problems they come to you with and some of the shortcomings they come to you with. And you have to be able to serve the needs of those children who you have in your classroom.

If you have a barrier that prevents you from doing that, maybe it would be a good thing to recognize that so that you can serve kids better.

Q: As board president and a board member you have to deal with people who also really care about kids and feel very passionately about what they want and what they think will help kids. How do you sometimes say, "No" to that person?

A: The federal government is over here with No Child Left Behind, says if you don't do this, this and this, we'll come and take over your system and we'll run it the way we think it needs to be done.

Up in Sacramento the legislature says you need to do this, this and this, and if you don't do what we want you to do, we're going to take money away from you and you won't be able to do any of that. ...

The local boards are caught in the middle. ...

It is difficult, but for the greater good of keeping the district under local control and having a district that really cares about kids as opposed to state control, dissolving your local school board, having an administrator from Washington come in and run your district or having somebody from the state come in and run your district and ruin careers in the process and ruin kids in the process, sometimes you really have to say, "No."

Even if people think it is unfair. You just have to make the tough decision. Sometimes you have to say, "No."

Contact reporter Amanda Dyer at amandad@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Science8c wrote on Dec 22, 2007 7:59 AM:

" Perhaps you should check these U.S. government statistics on out of wedlock births: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr55/nvsr55_01.pdf And the truth will set you free. "

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Lets Be Real wrote on Dec 21, 2007 9:18 PM:

" To Science8c, Thank you so much for showing everyone who you really are even if we do not know your name. At the risk of lending credence to one of the most IGNORANT postings I have ever read (especially since the statistics you quoted are similar for white "families" as well), I will only say the following: After reading your various comments, I suspected that you were carefully picking intelligent sounding words to disguise your bigotry. Thank you for proving me right...... Lets Be Real :-) "

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Science8c wrote on Dec 21, 2007 6:09 PM:

" Don't get me wrong, Ken Davis himself is proof of what hard work and good values can do, regardless of skin color, but, this discussion is about statistical differences in achievement in school and attempts to place blame on racism. In spite of other students in the same classes success, teachers are doing something(?) unfair. Perhaps the fact that 70% of black babies are born out of wedlock an equal % live with only 1 parent, and a disproportionate number are incarcerated, maybe the black community is at fault? "

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Lets Be Real wrote on Dec 20, 2007 10:27 PM:

" To Audi 5000, It is not about have a dillusionary sense of superiority. It's about not allowing stereotypical statements about Black and Hispanic parents and students to go unchecked just because its easier to put the blame on them rather than explore the possibility that the SYSTEMIC failure of this group to achieve may have more to do with a SYSTEMIC BIAS that is more favorable to non-Black and non-Hispanic students. Just as I refuse to make excuses for the student that refuses to put forth any effort, I refuse to let off the hook any effort to marginalize th efforts of so many Black and Hispanic students and their parents who realize that to study is not acting white but is acting smart. In fact, if academic excellence wasn't something that Black and Hispanic Americans didn't value, they would not have come as far as they have. "

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Audi 5000 wrote on Dec 20, 2007 8:20 AM:

" Lets Be Real: you have the same delusionary sense of superiority that Davis and other admin. types share. Believe it or not, people outside of the education field can be very perceptive and discerning of socio-economic issues. "

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Science8c wrote on Dec 19, 2007 9:36 PM:

" I have taught about 2,000 students, in middle and high school. My experience has taught me that students who do no work, and parents who have been repeatedly advised of this fact , but do nothing about it, will fail. People who always see themselves as victims cannot accept responsibility for their poor decisions, and blame others. That is what is going on here. "

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Lets Be Real wrote on Dec 19, 2007 7:24 PM:

" To bearsfolks, There you go making unfounded assumptions. I HAVE been in the classroom - elementary, middle, and high. Therefore, I would say that my vantage point is a little better than yours. By your statement below, do you mean to tell me that the reason that most of our failing Black and Hispanic students are not doing well is because of their parents based on your limited experience with a few? Are you saying that the vast majority Black and Hispanic parent in society in general and Lodi Unifed in particular are negligent with regard to their children's education and can prove this with solid evidence? If this is your position, then perhaps you need to do a little more walking in your moccasins because your bias is clouding your judgment. "

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Audi 5000 wrote on Dec 19, 2007 8:55 AM:

" Davis, Huyett, et.al., all are culprits in NEA's proven track record of consistently lowering educational standards, not to mention the disastrous effects of their depraved social engineering. Why would we care what they have to say about education. They are not the experts, they have failed. "

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bearsfolks wrote on Dec 19, 2007 8:03 AM:

" "Lets be real", Unless you have been in a classroom lately you seem misguided. Contact a middle school near you and sit in. You will see the problems created by permissive parents who let their "little darlings" skip their homework, appear tardy or not at all for class, and created bedlam for the teacher and the rest of the students to try to work in. To paraphrase, "Unless you have walked a mile in my moccasins, you should have no opinion". "

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Lets Be Real wrote on Dec 18, 2007 11:02 PM:

" Tosh conn, Rarely have I heard such racism verbalized in the way you applied the behavior of a few members of a race to that of the entire race. I am amazed that you believe that poor achieving Black students are responsible because they don't study, jive talk, and etc. What reruns of What's Happening and Good Times did you get your evidence from? Your statements make about as much sense as me saying that all white men were lazy, racist bigots just because Archie Bunker was. That would be a ludicrous conclusion, as ludicrous as your statement. Shame on you. "

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Lets Be Real wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:56 PM:

" It is unfair to say that the achievement gap exists because Black and Hispanic parents do not take care of business at home. The very suggestion of this, absent direct proof, is racist in and of itself. It amazes me that this point is never questioned in the PUBLIC FORUM. It seems to be EASY to put the blame on the parents rather than consider that the perhaps, just perhaps, it has something to do with teacher biases. "

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tosh conn wrote on Dec 18, 2007 12:34 PM:

" the reason black kids do so poorly is that they are brought up to ridicule study as "acting white", they are excused for their ridiculous "ebonic" jive talk, they worship gangsters, rap babblers, and the list is endless. not until they pursue scholarship, reading, writing, math, science and make an effort to join civilized humanity, they will be relegated to a marginal life. "

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Lodian wrote on Dec 18, 2007 8:51 AM:

" DISGUSTED: Do you have any contact information for the home-schooling folks in Lodi? I would like to make some calls and ask some questions. Thanks. "

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LUSD Mom(Cont) wrote on Dec 18, 2007 7:56 AM:

" What is so different about your kids and their education that made them successful? Have the teachers changed since then? No, I think it has everything to do with parent involvement and nothing to do with "racism". I will say it again, it is 2007 Mr. Davis. Let go of the past. "

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LUSD Mom wrote on Dec 18, 2007 7:49 AM:

" Mr. Davis in your Bio on the LUSD website you mention that all 3 of your kids received a wonderful education in this district that prepared them very well for life. Why are your kids any different than the other minorities in LUSD? How were they able to receive a wonderful education? "

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Another Parent wrote on Dec 18, 2007 7:17 AM:

" It's comments like these that perpetuate racism. "

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Guardian wrote on Dec 18, 2007 7:06 AM:

" Why have we not heard anything about this from the other board members? Just silence. Where are they? what is their take on this? "

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Guardian wrote on Dec 18, 2007 7:02 AM:

" Yeah the Top Comrade, Huyett, may be going to the Socialist state of Berkely. I am sure that the Berkeley-ite comrades are all giddy and goosebumps over that. Pray that Huyett makes it. One less Socialist in Lodi would do us good. Next would be Odie Douglas and, now, Ken Davis. "

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taxpayer wrote on Dec 18, 2007 6:43 AM:

" I take offense to dumbing the curriculum down to low achievers, that is not fair for deserving children that want and need an education. I cannot believe any teacher in LUSD looks at the childs color and decides the child is not capable of learning. It is time for a change in LUSD if this is what the President of the School Board really thinks!!!!!! "

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Comment wrote on Dec 17, 2007 11:28 PM:

" Please Mr. Davis give Mr Huyett an OUTSTANDING rating on the Berkeley visit tomorrow. Make sure they know he is a strong advocate for radical causes and enjoys the writings of radicals. Hand out some "white privilege" DVD's, I am sure they will be impressed. The "Peoples Republic of Berkeley" will welcome him. But, isn't he white? What about his "white mans" knapsack of "white male" privileges? Does he have "cultural competence? "

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lusd teacher wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:49 PM:

" Mr. Davis, you are correct. You never said "Lodi" when you spoke of the "I don't have to teach you attitude", but the implication is there. You are a board member for LUSD, what other district could you possibly be talking of? Your agenda has brought down the morale of the teachers of this district and made us all paranoid. "

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DISGUSTED wrote on Dec 17, 2007 9:53 PM:

" "We are changing the curriculum to fit the needs of the lowest-achieving kids." Are you kidding me? Our students are already doing poorly as it is and we are going to change the curriculum to fit the lowest-achievers? Someone pinch me please...I must be having a nightmare. Just curious, why is home schooling so popular in Lodi? "

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comment 30 wrote on Dec 17, 2007 9:46 PM:

" I thank Mr. Davis for his dedication to LUSD. I also have a problem with the following statement: "We are changing the curriculum to fit the needs of the lowest-achieving kids." Is this REALLY what he meant? "

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Science8c wrote on Dec 17, 2007 7:53 PM:

" Mr. Davis, your own children were very successful in the school where I taught, and probably are still earning honors wherever they now attend. Is this because of the teachers or the supportive, caring home they have? I don't think you bought into excuses for poor performance. That's what the teachers are trying to tell you. "

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jumanji wrote on Dec 17, 2007 5:14 PM:

" No Jeff, I didn't miss the point. I read what was said and then I read beyond that to what is really going on. Someone is manufacturing another reason to dumb down requirements in education based on skin color. Asian don't seem to do poorly and they are no longer considered people of color. This is just a game that allows people to play the victim instead of pulling themselves up and making something of their lives. "

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He is out of touch wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:21 PM:

" Sounds like Mr. Davis is trying to treat 2007 Lodi like its 1967 Little Rock. Wake-up Mr. Davis!! You`re not in Kansas, uh I mean Arkansas anymore!! "

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PatriotPaul wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:13 PM:

" Conversations? What a laugh! Teachers were told that they could NOT critique or comment on the White Privilege DVD. How is that a conversation? That is more like Stalinism. "

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wtf wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:10 PM:

" "The elderly sat with teens barely old enough to vote. The faces were black, Hispanic, Asian and white. There was no fear in their voices as they spoke boldly with each other about the way the country should be." These Ron Paul supporters don't seem to have a problem; but he's a dynamic leader and brings people together. Hmmm...maybe it's the school board leadership that should be in the hot seat rather than the teachers. "

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Guardian wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:10 PM:

" It starts at home, with parents. Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in immorality, bullying, unaccountability, irresponsibility, and a desensitizing of violent crime. As long as you have Socialist Liberals running education, scores will not go up. They will keep coming up with excuses why they should "get" without having to "earn". "

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wtf wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:06 PM:

" I'm going to state the obvious: Ken Davis looks black to me. If there's such a gap in learning, and children of color are supposed to be such under-achievers, then why is black man president of the school board? This curriculum being shoved down teachers' throats sounds racist against not only whites; but the minorities it's supposed to be serving & is doing a great disservice to students of color by assuming they're dumb. "

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Guardian wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:06 PM:

" NO Jeff, you missed the point. There is no data that would make Mr. Davis's case. The real facts are that the highest scoring group, in LUSD, is Filipino. Yes, they are highest scoring group, not White. In fact, LUSD will see more basic and below basic Whites, in LUSD, this year. "

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P. L. Smith wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:03 PM:

" Thoroughly amazed to see how stupid we have become. Congratulations to parents who 'push' their children to succeed. Having a teacher in the family-she doesn't stay up at night figuring out ways to short change minorities. In fact, 95% of her students are minorities and she is unbelievably dedicated committed to them. She is color blind how about Mr. Davis? "

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wtf wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:02 PM:

" Any teacher knows that it's not so much a "I-have-you-in-my-class-but-I-don't-have- to-teach-you" attitude; rather it's the students with a "I-have-to-be-in-your- class-but-I-don't-have-to -learn-if-I- don't-want-to" attitude. Like the old saying goes, "You can lead a horse to water; but you can't make him drink." "

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Not Surprised wrote on Dec 17, 2007 3:46 PM:

" Hewlett applying elsewhere, the Elkhorn mess, Title 1 school nightmare,"equity" and "fidelity to the core" and on and on. No wonder one teacher remarked at the Dec. 11th board meeting, "morale has never been as low for teachers, and we are tired of the fight", just to do right for ALL children. ESC official send out conflicting dictums and then switch positons...enough is enough! "

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LUSD Mom wrote on Dec 17, 2007 2:48 PM:

" Mr. Davis, I am ashamed of you. To compare 2007 to 1967. If we are to live in the past we forget the achievements of the present. I am afraid for my child with you leading this board. I think it's time to look into private school as it is obvious where our public schools are headed. "

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Flight privilege? wrote on Dec 17, 2007 2:25 PM:

" Sounds like Huyett is leaving for Berkeley. I wonder what their equity programs look like. "

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wonder why wrote on Dec 17, 2007 1:08 PM:

" And some people question why we send our kids to a private school,,,this district is a mess. "

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Jeff wrote on Dec 17, 2007 12:47 PM:

" Jumanji, you missed the point entirely. Statistical ananlysis of the testing data locally, state-wide, and nationally points to a 'gap' between scores of white students when compared to students of color, even after accounting for socio-economic status. Being those facts known, teachers are being asked to analyze their teaching to make sure that thery are 'color-blind' or help make-up for those who weren't blind in teaching these students previously. "

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grateful teacher cont'... wrote on Dec 17, 2007 11:53 AM:

" I'll say it til I turn blue: Those children who are truly being underserved are the ones who come to school prepared to learn, with appropriate behavior, support of family, and basic social skills. Those who don't are robbing not only the other students of their right to a quality education, but the teacher, the taxpayer, and American society. Racism has nothing to do with the classroom dilemma, unless tolerating wrong for fear of being accused of racism, is the case. Sadly, it seems to be. "

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Another View continued wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:40 AM:

" The overwhelming majority of parents hate descrimination. Why bring back descrimination in the guise of SEED? Lets learn how we can encourage ALL parents to get involved with their children and bring back the "old fashioned" ideas of accountability, responsibility and discipline. Dr. Bill Cosby was clear on his ideas. "The past is a ghost, the future a dream, and all we ever have is now". Dr Martin Luther King Jr said "Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that". We need to reflect on THESE words in our "conversation". "

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Another View continued wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:38 AM:

" Why does SEED encourage the attack of "whites"? I have observed SEED facilitators single out visitors from other countries thinking they were "white". Why attack guests to this country? I think that racism and prejudice must be stopped and this includes the generalizations from misinformed SEED advocates. Read ALL the writings of Peggy McIntosh. Ask why Wellesley University supports her SEED organization. All of this Liberal and radical posturing comes from ONE private Womens college in Massachusetts. "

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Another View continued wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:21 AM:

" Mr. Davis experienced hateful and disagreeable behaviors over 40 years ago in Arkansas. I can understand his angst! However, many of the children in our school district are in so-called bi-racial families and have different experiences. The old practice of finger pointing at any "white" person and blaming them must be stopped. These tired old tactics are no longer useful in solving cultural issues. I am not a teacher, but I have been through the SEED games and I find them offensive. It is disgusting for anyone to be singled out because of "race". "

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Another view wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:17 AM:

" Firstly, the use of the word "conversation" in employer-employee or superior and subordinate social relationships is misleading. A conversation is an informal interchange of thoughts. When Mr. Huyett calls in his principals and gives them instructions, that is not a "conversation". When principals call in their teachers and give them instructions to watch a one sided propaganda video, that is also not a "conversation". Supervisors are always evaluating subordinates, so there no real conversation, discussion or interchange of ideas. How is Mr. Davis having a "conversation" by being interviewed? "

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Grateful teacher cont'... wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:06 AM:

" If you take the data of students of color only, and disaggregate their family make-up, attendance, behavior, parental accountability, I am certain you will find that, regardless of color, the problems come from social and family roots, not classroom teaching. (The same for whites). I have been discouraged by administrators to enforce the same standard of student and parental behavior for those of color or second language with "we don't want to be sued". So, I was required to put up with disruption and extra work, rather than change on the part of the student. "

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T & C wrote on Dec 17, 2007 9:59 AM:

" Are you just afraid of Mr. Huyett, Ken? 15 years on the board and you haven't accomplished anything either. It's time for new faces at LUSD from the top down, including you Mr. Davis. Just how many black students are in LUSD that actually live in Lodi? And that aren't athletes from stockton? "

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Grateful teacher wrote on Dec 17, 2007 9:56 AM:

" Agreed, the data shows mostly children of color aren't showing proficiency. But to say "the data is saying something is wrong in the classroom where kids aren't getting what they need" is so wrong! NCLB haS not worked because problems come before they get to the classroom. Different standard for students of color??? Underachieving students get all extras, all of teacher's attention and time, regardless of color. ial data. TBC "

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LUSD parent wrote on Dec 17, 2007 9:54 AM:

" Mr. Davis - What does the data say about what is going on in the home the remaining hours of the day when the students are not in the classroom? I believe there is data to show that parents and peers have the greatest influence on a child. Are the students getting what they need at home? Or are you too afraid to face the real issue? Stop blaming the teachers! They are doing a great job! "

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Starstruck wrote on Dec 17, 2007 8:36 AM:

" That's amazing! This man was at the forefront of all the hot civil rights action of the late '50's and early 60's, and he was only six to eleven years old! "

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A Lodi Mom wrote on Dec 17, 2007 8:25 AM:

" Mr. Davis says, "We are changing the curriculum to fit the needs of the lowest-achieving kids." How about the needs of the highest-achieving kids, Mr. Davis? What is being done about that? Your goal of "closing the achievement gap" is hurting the kids who raise your test scores. The district needs to figure out how to balance the needs of ALL the kids, not just the "disadvantaged". I would've liked to have seen this reporter delve more into that subject... "

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Parent wrote on Dec 17, 2007 8:13 AM:

" I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Davis and the contributions he has made to this District. I have a problem however with the following statement: "We are changing the curriculum to fit the needs of the lowest-achieving kids." Is the curriculum being changed for all students to accommodate these students? Or, are these students being placed in classrooms with other low achievers? Just curious. "

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jumanji wrote on Dec 17, 2007 7:39 AM:

" Did I claim discrimination and ask for govt redresses? NO, it was the government doing this, so I just realized that I would have to have a different career. Moved on and all is well, but I am amazed at what is still going on and the BS that is still coming out on this issue. Look hard enough and you can find discrimination anywhere, even if you have to invent it. "

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jumaji wrote on Dec 17, 2007 7:37 AM:

" Here we go again. Don't judge someone by their color, but we are going the measure them by their color. Why not segregate them by blood type? This state no longer has a majority. The quicker we become color blind the better. Mr. Davis needs to figure that out. As a disclosure I am a white male that attended UC Davis, I have been told my entire life, that I was excluded from jobs because of being a white male. Talk about overt discrimination... "

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its 2007 wrote on Dec 17, 2007 7:16 AM:

" Yes lets close the gap ,,maybe we can dumb-down the whites. "

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