Date: Wed, 01 Jan 1997 09:13:03 -0600
Subject: M-G: Re: A very important debate (Ebonics)


Bob Malecki:
>At present there is a very interesting and principly important debate raging 
>on Usenet on the question of Ebonics. Below I send a short principled 
>declaration which i sent out yesterday which was like dropping a bomb into a 
>bees nest. I think actually for those of us on Usenet it is a principally 
>important debate to agitate around and take a position in. So keep and eye 
>on this stuff and don't just keep yourselfs locked in the closet lists.

I agree with you here, Bob. For those around the world that might not be
following this issue, the Oakland, California school board has called for
wide-spread teacher training, and NOT to have Ebonics (Black English)
replace standard English. If teachers are trained to understand what their
students are saying, they can begin to teach them.

Schools that already volunteered to implement the teacher training have
reported an improvement in test scores in English language. As Bob pointed
out these kids are not at all disabled, but are labeled as such very early
as a result of negative attitudes toward Ebonics.

There is amazing confusion over this issue. It kind of goes to shows that
even Standard English does not ensure perfect communication. (Heresy to
those that are acting like any form of English is now in peril).

Now, of course, all American students should also be learning a foreign
language, but that's another subject....

Sally



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