National Town Hall discuss the educational path of the black community
By Brittney Anderson

Whitney Hunter

Published: Friday, September 17, 2010

Updated: Friday, September 17, 2010 15:09

The 40th Congressional Black Caucus held its first town hall meeting aimed at providing solutions to America's educational crisis by examining and producing solutions on how Black America can once again become a leader in education.

The panel emphasized the economical and educational status of the black community. The Moderator Gwen Moor asked questions regarding the reauthorization of the Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA), post-secondary education and K-12 education.

            The panel boasts such distinguished guests such as Arnie Duncan, secretary for education, Donald Payne, member of the Education and Labor Committee, Barbara Lee, chair for the Congressional Black Caucus, Bobby Scott, member of the Education and Labor Committee and James Comer, founder and chairman of Yale University Child Study's Center School Development Program, Michael Lomax president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund, Marc Morial, CEO, National Urban League, Jonathan Gueverra, CEO, Community College of the District of Columbia, Sidney Ribeau, president of Harvard University, C. Diane Wallace Booker, executive director of the U.S Dream Academy.

            Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan said America's education system was too harsh and did not offer an appropriate award system.

            "Our education system is too punitive and we do not offer enough rewards for success," Duncan said. "We have to not dumb down our standards and create a well rounded education system."

            Lomax said the answer to America's education crisis lies in the number of college graduates.

            "To create prosperity we must double the number of college graduates," Lomax said. "We must remove predatory lending and increase Pell Grants."

            Rep. Scott suggests the relocation of good teachers to more challenging schools to prevent good teachers from getting laid off due to teaching at an unchallenged school.

            Comer and Booker discuss the importance of child development. " The teachers need to understand that child development makes academic learning possible," Comer said.

            Booker speaks upon the environment being an issue and says that every child is not starting from the same prospective.

"35 percent of black children are living on poverty," says Booker.

            With these new solutions and the help from the nation Ribeau says, "Obama's 2020 education goal is reachable."