by Clarence E. Stowers | Aug 27, 2008 | Current Affairs, Empowerment, Events, Family, Politics
CHECK OUT "THE HILL" IN ACTION SUNDAY…THE PRESSURE IS ON!!!
NOTICE: MYTH REGARDING FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FUNDING…1ST DAY ATTENDANCE DOES NOT AFFECT A SCHOOL'S FUNDING…CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Only 6 of 100 Black and Latino high school freshmen males will graduate from a four year college. Source: University of Chicago’s Consortium on Chicago School Research
Between 2003 and 2007, white students' reading scores went up while African American, Hispanic and low-incomes student's scores went down. (Chicago Sun-Times, October 31, 2007)
Money spent in Illinois on:
- Housing an adult prisoner: $21,000
- Educating a child in Chicago: $10,000
(Source: Illinois State Board of Education
Office of Governor Rod Blagojevich)
- Only 9% of African American 4th graders ranked proficient or above in reading, ranking Illinois 38 out of 41 states. (Chicago Sun-Times, November 2, 2006)
- Illinois has the largest unaddressed district-to-district funding gap in the nation. (Source: Education Trust)
2005-2006 School Year Graduation Rates in Chicago
- Black males – 37%
- White males – 62%
(Source: Schott Foundation)
- Illinois ranks 49 out of the 50 states when it comes to funding education from state funds. (Source: Education Trust)
Click Here for more FACTS about the SCHOOL FUNDING CRISIS
by Clarence E. Stowers | Aug 15, 2008 | Events, Music, Relationships, Sports, Travel
Now that I have your attention…
I'm proud to have attended & graduated from Jackson State University (a HBCU). At JSU, I learned the true meaning of struggle, brotherhood, and perseverance. Also, I had the chance to develop life-long relationships that continue today.
Personally, I chose to attend a HBCU to cultivate identity and community. Moreover, I wouldn't trade my HBCU experience for anything in the world.
After JSU, I attended PWI's (predominately White Institutions), but it was my JSU experience which shaped my life by strengthening the entrepreneur in me.
At JSU we were always encouraged to do our own thing, be strong, and trust God to grant you wisdom in all areas of life. Being in a place where educated Black people were the majority helped me to develop an "I can make it mentality."
Therefore, I will make my annual pilgrimage to Jackson, MS for a homecoming experience second to none. During this weekend, we will lay aside our titles, degrees, and become one. THIS IS SOMETHING THOSE WHO ATTENDED PWI's WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND…IT'S A BLACK THING…
Care to share?
View my page on JSU's Cyber Plaza
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jul 28, 2008 | Family, Leadership, Parenting
You guessed it – It’s PARENTING!!!
I’ve been thinking alot about parenting lately. Maybe it is because we have three kids at home, ages 6, 11, and 13. I think everyone would admit that there is a point in a teen’s life
when the influence of his/her parents becomes less, and the influence
of their friends becomes greater. It seems that the age at which the parents’ influence drops dramatically happens somewhere around 13- to 15-years old.
As I reflected on my life as a child, the influence I perceive that
I have with my own kids, and my informal survey, I charted it like
this…
As a parent, the awareness of loss of influence can be alarming if
you didn’t see it coming. So be warned young parents, I have just given
you a glimpse of the future.
Here is the key learning: Environments matter. Who
my daughter is influenced by as a 15-year old is dependent greatly on
the environments that my wife and I placed her in as a 10- and 12- and
14-year old.
It’s a little early to tell whether we will survive life with
teenagers, but here is the advice I would give parents of pre-teens…
- Get involved in a great church with strong youth leaders.
- As they start middle school, don’t give them the option to stay home from the youth program.
- Find a school that has strong values and where
there is good chance they will be able to find solid friends. That
might mean paying for private school or moving to a better school
district.
- Get them in situations where they are hanging with young adults who are following God.
- Teach them the joy of serving when they are very young.
- Let them participate in events where there is a good chance they might take a step spiritually.
Oh, and one last word of advice for those with teenagers—stop
lecturing and start listening. Stop giving direction and start asking
questions.
It’s your turn now…is my chart way off?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jul 23, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Empowerment, Leadership, Vision
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW9jk6lEqbE&hl=en&fs=1]
Beginning August 3, 2008, we’ll offer a 3-part series to lay out the changes coming to Mars Hill this fall: It’s called “Trading Candy for Pearls.”
The countdown begins…
