Despite criticism, a school district defended its agreement to prioritize retaining educators of color when determining layoffs.
However, as news of the MPS policy has resurfaced, making headlines in recent days, critics say the policy's attempts to rectify past discrimination could constitute discrimination itself -- potentially even a violation of the 14th Amendment.
James Dickey, an attorney in Minneapolis, told ABC News that his firm has recently received a "flood of emails" from taxpayers and teachers in Minneapolis who are opposed to the policy and have reached out regarding potential legal actions. "Teachers are not being evaluated based on merit, they're being evaluated based on first in and last out. And I think that's the bigger problem," he said.
"When [students] see somebody who looks like me, and maybe looks like them, they feel a greater sense of connection and belonging in that community," West, who has worked in the district for nearly 10 years, told ABC News. "I feel like the focus is on a deficit mindset, where we're trying to make it a teacher versus teacher issue, or a cultural or racial issue, when we really need to say this is a systemic issue where we need to do better by our educators," West said.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'The worst political environment for public schools': Teachers go back to school amid rising tensionsNot only do teachers have to deal with the ongoing pandemic, and staff shortages, but they're also facing increasing political tension brought by activists in their communities who have come after critical race theory and LGBTQ issues. | SergioMarBel
Read more »
Americans know public schools are indoctrinating their childrenAmericans’ trust in the public education system has been falling for years and reached an all-time low this past June. It’s not difficult to understand why: Public schools shut children out of the classroom for months because of the COVID-19 pandemic and then forced them to abide by ridiculous mask…
Read more »
Texas public schools required to display 'In God We Trust' posters if they are donatedThe law passed last year says schools must display the national motto in a “conspicuous place” but only if the poster is “donated” or “purchased by private donations.”
Read more »
Public schools seek creative solutions to teachers’ shortageAmerica’s K-12 public schools are relying on classroom assistants, virtual learning and even military veterans to cover a post-pandemic shortage of teachers and staff as the academic year begins.
Read more »
IDEA Public Schools signed $15M lease for luxury jet despite being under state investigationIDEA Public Schools was under state investigation for inappropriate spending even as its board voted unanimously to pay up to $15 million to lease a private luxury jet for its executives in 2019.
Read more »
California is first state in history to give all public school students free lunchesCalifornia will be the first state to implement free meals to all public school students in the 2022-2023 school year, with over 327,000 students in state public schools.
Read more »