Education

Abstract:: Gregory Spence comments on new testing criteria for students. Host Barbara Barrow discusses the lack of communication between educators and students in the Boston school district, with community members Gregory Spence (an attorney for the City of Boston), Kenya Clemens (of the Youth Activities Commission), Jeannette Bolt (playwright and author of A Minority Child's Day), and Dr. Alvin Pouissant (noted psychiatrist and Harvard professor). Issues addressed include the different social backgrounds of educators and students, Black English in the classroom, the role of standardized achievement tests in student evaluations, and the need for more humanity in the classroom. Also included in the program are 'man on the street' interviews conducted by Associate Producer Vickie Jones (in which she asks people their opinion of African American schools with white educators and whether or not Black children should be taught by Black teachers), an interview with Barbara Sizemore conducted by Jon Brim (on the problems of the Washington, DC school system and Sizemore's experiences as a former Superintendent of Schools there), an excerpt from a filmed performance of Bolt's play A Minority Child's Day; and the 'Community Calendar.' Produced by Marita Muhammad Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.

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Paige Academy: An Alternative Education

Abstract:: Angela Paige Cook comments on standardized testing. Program focuses on the work of Paige Academy, a private school in Roxbury for children aged three months to seven years. Hosts Barbara Barrow and Melvin Moore speak with Paige Academy Founder and Director Angela Paige Cook and the Academy's Administrative Producer, Mary Ann Crayton, to discuss the school's origins and practices, such as teaching by the nguzo saba (the seven principles of Kwanzaa). Program includes slides of Academy students. Produced by Barbara Barrow. Directed by Conrad White.

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Abstract:: End to experimental school project in Boston. Program, in a news-broadcast format, reviews the events of April, 1975 with anchors James Rowe and Carmen Fields, news reporter 'at large' Leah Fletcher, in-studio interviewer Russell Tillman, arts reviewer Tanya Hart, special reporter June Cross, and commentator Dighton Spooner. Program features a special reports on State Senator Bill Owens's press conference in April (in which he discussed capital punishment legislation pending in the Senate), the 'American Woman' festival held at Jordan Marsh department store in Boston, decisions made by Housing Court Judge Paul Garrity (on renovating the housing projects under the Boston Housing Authority), Julian Bond's recent traveling of the political circuit in Massachusetts to 'drum up' support for a presidential campaign, the Alliance for Economic Justice's meeting to protest the governor's cutback in welfare benefits, an interview with Winston Kendall of the Roxbury Defenders (about the upcoming conference organized by the National Conference on Black Lawyers called 'Resist to Exist'), the picketing of the president's office at Boston University by students (over the current dean and his poor management of the Black Talent Program), the United States Bicentennial events on Patriots' Day at John Elliot Square, and an interview with jazz musician Ronnie Gill. Produced by Marita Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.