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Dear Aldine ISD Community,
I will be the first to admit that writing a letter or statement like this has not been easy. I have so much to say, but honestly, it’s been hard to put all of my feelings into words. Many of you have heard me speak, you’ve seen my work, and you know me to love all individuals that I am blessed to serve — students, staff, parents, and community members. But what I need you to know is that the complexities of being a leader, mother, wife, and a black woman make it difficult to string together the right words and thoughts to truly express my emotions.
My last message to you on May 26 was a celebratory one — it was a message full of hope for our graduating seniors and excitement for each of our scholars and their bright futures. While I still hold that hope, I find myself balancing that with a serious concern for our country, for our 67,000 students — the vast majority of whom are students of color (73% Hispanic and 23% African American).
The murder of George Floyd and countless others that have died as a result of racism hurt my heart, but do not break my spirit. What I know is that right now, we have the opportunity of a lifetime to do what is right by one another and to teach our children the same.
American novelist, James Baldwin, had it right when he said: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Now, more than ever, this statement rings true.
Facing the reality of the world we live in — one full of systemic racism, bigotry, and ignorance — is the first step. We must also acknowledge that we have failed, even right here in our district, to successfully honor Black lives and have hard conversations about where and how we are struggling to promote excellence and equity for every child in our schools.
We can’t stop there. We have to channel our feelings and learnings into action — and change. I do not have all of the answers, but I am willing to seek out solutions. I do not believe that everything will transform overnight, but I have faith that if we begin somewhere we will finish in a better place.
Today, I write to you sharing how Aldine ISD is actively working to be a place where all students are heard, where all students are safe, and where all students can thrive.
The work starts now. Last week, I met with a group of African American male employees who will be helping to plan and organize a town hall for our male students. The virtual event scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, will be a safe place for dialogue about the issues that young men of color face every day. My hope is that this event becomes an annual event.
Addressing Academic Achievement
I am committed to a hyper-focused approach to addressing the academic achievement of our African American students. The number of African American students participating in our GT programs or taking advanced level classes is abysmal. About one percent of our elementary gifted and talented students are Black, and only 11 percent of our African American middle and high school students took an AP or IB exam. Additionally, the SAT and ACT scores of our African American students lag behind the overall district and state averages.
This can not continue. We all must recognize and reinforce the giftedness of our scholars and ensure they have access to the gifted and talented and Advanced Placement programs, while also connecting them to resources that will ensure they can explore college and careers prior to high school. All of our high school students should have access to programs that allow them to earn workforce certificates, associate degrees, and exposure to a variety of colleges and universities and career opportunities.
We must prove that we value our black students and believe that they can succeed and reach the highest academic goals.
Focusing on Literacy
Only 30% of our third-grade students are reading on grade level. The number is even lower for African American students, and the statistics related to Black males are shameful. We know that third-grade reading levels are directly correlated to high school graduation rates.
We must do something to improve this immediately. We cannot wait.
This fall, we are launching a new approach to literacy. This approach includes a systematic process for teaching phonics and builds students’ comprehension through knowledge and vocabulary development. We know that exposing students to a variety of topics they enjoy reinforces what they have been taught.
Creating Culturally Responsive Environments
We are implementing a multi-faceted approach to ensuring equity across our schools — for our students and our staff. It requires more than a one-time training. It must be an ongoing intentional effort to ensure we are culturally responsive. We want our teachers and staff to build more inclusive learning environments and better connect with students naturally and genuinely. We must also erase the statistics that African American students receive more disciplinary actions than their counterparts. Instead, our campus leaders, counselors and district police officers will find productive ways to address students’ social and emotional needs. Building positive and respectful relationships and highlighting ways for families and communities to work together to support and advocate for students is at the top of the priority list.
Developing a Districtwide Mentor Program
Schools are often a haven for so many of our students. In the halls of our buildings, students often make friends, find their passions, and seek guidance for their futures. We will launch a districtwide mentorship program that connects students with district employees, community members, civic leaders, and business owners. We will seek individuals that support and advocate for students while positively impacting their lives.
Leadership Matters
We must ensure our schools and departments are led by prepared and educated professionals equipped with academic and social-emotional skills and trained in culturally responsive practices. Our leadership definition crystalizes what it means to lead with a lens of equity while seeking out and highlighting employees and others that do the same. We have also created an aspiring leadership pipeline designed for employees to have professional development and support on their path to becoming school or district leaders. These changes ensure we can select from a prepared and diversified pool of candidates when filling vacancies.
Building More Highly Effective Schools
This spring, I announced the launch of single-gender campuses. I am even more committed to opening a school for male students that educates the whole student through rigorous academics, focused civic training, and character building. Additionally, we will continue focusing on growing the number of highly effective schools across our district and increasing the number of academic programs and options for students.
Going forward, we must continue to eliminate behaviors, policies, practices, and procedures that perpetuate systemic racism. It is our job to not only honor diversity but also to work exhaustively to promote positive, effective, and culturally responsive interactions between students, staff, and community members.
Today, I am more determined than ever to ensure every single Aldine ISD student has a dynamic and unparalleled education. It will be one that guarantees choices and opportunities today and in the future. We Are All Aldine. When we look out for one another and for our entire community, we find a new way forward.
With Aldine Pride,
Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent
Resources for Families and Students
- The Urgent Need for Anti-Racist Education from Education Week
- How ‘Reading Instruction’ Oppresses Black and Brown Children from Forbes
- Resources for Talking About Race, Racism, Racialized Violence with Kids from the Center for Racial Justice in Education
- Teaching About Race, Racism, and Police Violence from Teaching Tolerance
- Student Mental Health:
The Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners — The list contains award-winning books by African American authors and illustrators that demonstrate appreciation for African American culture and universal human values.