The Holy "SEE"
How do language barriers detrimentally affect children’s education/learning?
Poverty is a hard cycle to break - education demonstrates another example of the exponentially growing gap, language barriers significantly slow down education for these students
How do you think the American educational system and social safety net is failing the kids, mostly immigrants, that currently attend Lincoln-West and schools like it?
These kids are expected to pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty but they are not given the tools to do so, the idea of the achievement gap, overworked teachers and unprepared kids lead to poor school ratings leading to reduced funding
DAILY DOUBLE
It can be difficult to know what these students are going through because not many of us have experienced language as a barrier to obtaining an education. Despite these differences, we are called to utilize empathy and compassion to recognize all people as members of our human family.
What are some resources that Lincoln West can offer to better help immigrant students succeed?
Bilingual teachers, after school tutoring, ESL classes, college prep / professional development.
What are some of the biggest issues the homeless of Cleveland face?
Addiction and substance abuse are highly prevalent. Exposure to Cleveland weather in general causes many health problems. Little to no access to food and self-care resources comes with this issue.
What factors are contributing to homelessness and its side-effects?
Local government’s ill-placed priorities place emphasis on issues other than the well-being of its people(wealth, the rich, reputation). The issues of addiction and substance abuse are present due to their perceived therapeutic nature. They act as coping methods. Redlining has created an ostracized group of predominantly black individuals who are set up to fail.
How do you think the Catholic Social Teaching of Option for the Poor and Vulnerable is violated by the social justice issues seen at LMM?
lack of advocacy from local government, lack of access to programs that bring individuals out of cycles of poverty, lack of opportunity for good education and work
In what ways does LMM combat issues of homelessness?
emergency shelter, dorms for long term residents, programs promoting integration of individuals back into society, daily meals served, showers and self-care, activity programs
What concrete issues is SMDPHS striving to address?
Education inequity (low SES), achievement gap, lack of resources, untrained teacher, etc.
The students facing injustices at SMDPHS are primarily African American. Why is this?
Institutional racism, economic inequality, lack of transportation, etc.
How do you see the CST Rights and Responsibilities being violated by these social justice issues?
Education is a fundamental right (not a privilege!), and we have a responsibility to uphold this right for others.
What programs do you think SMDPHS should implement to support and empower black students?
Work-study program, culturally responsive teaching (language fluidity, read against the canon, culturally responsive texts, etc.)