To the Editor:
I found it very interesting that the Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee (CPMSAC) [“Only Excellence Is Good Enough,” Nov. 13] is working so closely with the public school system and the community in an effort for bettering the academic successes and potential of minority students. Minority students are typically at an educational disadvantage in this country considering that “minority students are more likely to come from economically disadvantaged or educationally disadvantaged households located in disadvantaged neighborhoods,” as according to sociologist James Coleman. It is commonly well known that most students living in these disadvantaged neighborhoods must attend subpar schools which fall beneath the standards set by neighborhoods that have an economic advantage. This, in turn, creates an education deficit formed by students who are unable to receive better opportunities given their financial circumstance; especially since these communities may be lacking the financial means necessary to support the outcome of the student’s education.
Geoffrey Canada, president of Harlem’s Children Zone (HCZ) located in New York, has also recognized the importance of community involvement and student success as equal. The Harlem Children’s Zone is dedicated to providing a better opportunity for children in poverty stricken areas of Harlem by providing them the academic means necessary for them to make it to and successfully past college. Much like CPMSAC, the HCZ has also created several fundamental programs designed to help students and the community achieve educational success. Such as the Baby College parenting workshops which has the goal of directing educational success starting at birth and going through to college.
I really think it’s important that more communities follow in the steps of the CPMSAC and HCZ so minority students or students in disadvantaged areas of our nation can have access to the various opportunities they need in order to succeed.
Jayla Smith
Alexandria