January 10, 2007

Herman Badillo, the first Puerto Rican commissioner (appointed by Mayor Wagner in 1962), borough president (of the Bronx, elected in 1965), and member of Congress (elected in 1970) , has written a book "One Nation, One Standard."  Its foreword is by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
 
Badillo makes his point on page 27: "The primary determinant of any immigrant group's success or failure in America is its attitude toward education.  American Jews and Asian immigrants have succeeded because both of those cultures place an enormously high value on intellect, educational diligence, and hard work."   
 
He offers an original reason for this condition on page 39: '"Though it is rarely acknowledged in this era of political correctness, in Latin American political and economic development, the years from 1500 to the present amount to what can only be called a five-century siesta."

At forum yesterday hosted by the Manhattan Institute at the Harvard Club, Badillo was introduced by former Mayor Ed Koch.  Both Koch and Giuliani firmly agree with Badillo on educational issues. A sophisticated attendee, Angelo Falcon, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy, blogged a witty, New Yorker-type account of the meeting, which appeared in today’s Daily Politics.   

In his remarks, Badillo attacked today's version of bilingual education in New York City public schools.  He had originally sponsored bi-ed as a bridge program to prevent students from falling behind in other subjects while they learned English.  It has turned into a multi-year program which keeps Spanish-speaking students segregated.  Pupils are not encouraged to learn English, because then they would be out of the program.  Sometimes, bi-ed classes are used to warehouse slower students and non-English-speaking teachers.  

For expressing these views, Badillo has been attacked by leaders of Latino organizations and many Hispanic politicians, who speak with varying degrees of anger and regret.  Today's elected officials, primarily Bronx Democrats, assert that any differences in performance between groups result from inadequate teachers, dilapidated buildings, overcrowded classes, and social and economic discrimination.  These factors all discredit the public school system and American society, but in no way, shape or form reflect on any action or inaction by the community.  
  
The conflict over the book was also discussed in an op-ed piece in the New York Sun yesterday (p6), headlined BRAVE BADILLO.   Andrew Wolf is supportive of the book and thinks its author is courageous.  His column also deals with Badillo's work at CUNY, where he chaired the Board of Trustees.  It is definitely worth reading, as are Mr. Falcon's
opposing views.
 
Education reporter Carl Campanile covered the meeting in today's Post, p4,c5, BADILLO SALVO AT HISPANIC CRITICS.  Campanile writes:"(Bronx Assemblywoman Carmen) Arroyo branded Badillo a "blanquito" -- Spanish for white traitor."  The Post then quotes Badillo: "There was one who called me 'whitey'.   This is what happened in the African-American community where people who do very well are said to be imitating white.  That's ridiculous."

Millions of dollars have been spent on research on the performance gap in reading and math between children of different ethnic groups.  It is likely that there are a number of reasons for the gap.  The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, supported by President Bush and Senator Kennedy, requires testing of students, and reporting the results to the Department of Education, with pupils sorted by ethnicity.

Reducing the gap is a matter of national importance, particularly  in the existing competitive world environment.  If improving the attitude of any group would be helpful, it would be worth the effort and expense.  Unfortunately, the way to do that is not clear at all.  The problem is made more difficult by those who deny its existence, or blame it on factors which do not appear relevant.  The issue remains a challenge for American education.  Note the hedge.

Herman Badillo has offered a theory and called on his community to act.  That appears us to be a step forward.

If any readers have any explanations for the gaps, or wish to offer their comments on the issue, we would like to hear from you, and we will put your comments on the blog, with your consent, if they are not defamatory.

 

#343 01.10.07   691wds