Re: Grammar

Joni Rathbun <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> 
> Which has nothing to do with whether native grammar is recognized
> or not. It doesn't mean you TEACH them speak, read and write in
> their native language, it means you acknowledge the fact that
> many of their learning needs are the same as for other students
> who are learning a second language instead of ignoring those
> needs as we do now.

If you're trying to equate native-born black children with new
arrivals from areas where English is not the native language, I
don't buy it.  I'll admit that many of them come into a pretty
wretched family environment, but they are not confined to the
bottom of a mine shaft where they don't hear English (even correct
English) being spoken.  The language they are being raised on IS
English, albeit likely altered and mangled somewhat by their
older relatives.  But this is not confined to blacks only.  Many
whites have been born into families who lacked education and proper
communication skills, yet they have the intelligence to see that
the way their own family is speaking is incorrect (and embarrassing),
so they learn to speak more correctly early on.  Are you trying to
say that black kids don't have the intelligence to adapt in this way?
Would you EVER say this?
 
> In my district, immigrant children for whom English is a second
> language score higher on reading/language arts measures than native
> born African Americans.

This I can believe.  What do these results tell *you*?

--
Regards, IM