Mathis' Mind

Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category

MATH COUNTS

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

In 2001, then President Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act which was intended to, among other things, get the nation’s public school students to 100-percent proficiency in reading and math by the year 2014. Recently released math test scores show that we are not on target to reach that goal. Math is a critical component to so many industries that drive our new economy; if our students – future workers – don’t master the subject, the financial health of our nation is at risk.

According to the test results, just 39 percent of the nation’s fourth graders and 34 percent of its eighth graders scored at or above the proficiency level on the nationwide math test given this past spring. There’s been very little improvement in student’s scores and the goal of reaching proficiency by 2014 is in jeopardy. Additionally, improvement in math proficiency among students has actually slowed. Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education, says that this is the first time in nearly two decades that fourth grade math scores remained the same. More disturbing is the fact that achievement gaps between students and color and their white counterparts are not closing. The average black and white eighth grader is separated by about 32 points on the math test; this number represents about three years’ worth of mathematical knowledge.

We have to focus more resources on training and retaining teachers and reducing class sizes. Our educators must be highly trained and rewarded for their achievements in the classroom. The socio-economic factors that create these disparities in achievement must also be addressed. Schools in poorer neighborhoods must be given additional resources to ensure they are equipped to properly educate its students. Tutoring must be made available and promoted within the community. In some cases, tutoring should be a mandatory part of school curriculum.

Math is the basis for so many science, technology and business careers; industries that are growing and will soon dominate our economy. If our young people are not proficient in the subject, their ability to secure sustainable employment in the future is at risk. America has already lost thousands of jobs and billions of dollars as technology and other jobs have been outsourced to countries like India, because of a lack of qualified candidates here at home. Ensuring our students understand and can successfully apply mathematical concepts is not only important to their education, but also to the health of country if we are to experience and maintain economic growth.

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JOBS JOBS JOBS

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Economist are telling us that we are turning the corner on this recession. They say stocks – particularly bank stocks – are rebounding. Too bad the 15.1 million unemployed Americans aren’t feeling any relief.

The unemployment rate for September is well over 9-percent but should be higher.  Over 570,000 people dropped out of the work force last month, probably because they gave up hope thinking they’d find a job. If they were still looking, they would have been counted as among the unemployed.   The unemployment rate is the highest it has been in decades. Men, traditionally responsible for caring for their families are hit the hardest. Black men, who often have trouble finding sustainable work, even in good economic times, are struggling the most.

America needs to focus on creating jobs for its workers. The much-debated healthcare reform could create new jobs. With government funding, hospitals and clinics would need to hire additional medical support staff, creating a growing workforce. Pending energy legislation will also create new jobs. As companies, with the support of federal dollars, work to ‘green’ their operations and environments, American workers would have a new career opportunities available to them.

But more must be done. The government should mandate that companies who receive any federal funding should not be allowed to outsource jobs to other countries. Outsourcing has cost America hundreds of thousands of jobs over the last several years. Additionally, legislators should create a job program specifically geared to hiring and putting Americans into jobs.

These jobs should not be dependent on federal funding. Rather, the program should investigate new job creation strategies and work to implement them. Lastly, the funds distributed via the stimulus package, intended to repair the nation’s infrastructure, creating new jobs in the process, should be monitored more closely. Reports indicate funds are not being used as intended. Cities not using the funds as planned should be sanctioned.

The economy may indeed be improving. But it will be some time before the average American sees that change. People need jobs now. And American must work to create them.

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Posted in Blog, Economy, Jobs | 3 Comments »

BLACKS AND MENTAL HEALTH

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Too often, those who suffer with mental illness suffer in silence. Close family members may know the full extent of the affected person’s condition but co-workers and friends rarely do. The individual who has been diagnosed would much rather bear the weight of their illness alone that risk being ostracized for something that is out of their control. What about those who are mentally ill and not even aware that they are? In the African American community, there are far too many such individuals. And it’s time for that to change.

African Americans are less likely to receive a diagnosis for a mental illness than other racial groups. Because the illnesses aren’t diagnosed, individuals don’t receive treatment. Untreated mental illness can manifest itself in many ways: some patient turn to drugs to self-medicate, others become violent with loved ones and some may prefer living in the streets to living at home with family. The effects of undiagnosed mental illness extend far beyond the individual and their family: the community is affected, too. Increased crime rates and homeless populations result in additional expenses for local governments.

There are a number of reasons African Americans are not being diagnosed and treated for mental illness in the same way whites are, even though rates of mental illness is the same among both blacks and whites. Key among them is the fact that so many of our people are misinformed about the different mental disorders and the ways they are treated. We still use antiquated terms to describe those who are battling a mental illness and we buy in to stereotypes associated with the disease.

Lack of access to quality healthcare is another reason our people aren’t getting the treatment they need. So many communities across the country lack solid clinics that can provide medical and dental care, let alone mental health services.

Mental illness can be treated and many people who suffer, whether it be from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder or another disease, can go on to live relatively normal lives by regularly taking their medication and following the directions of their doctors. But first, we must work to make sure our people are getting to step one: a diagnosis.

Local governments should fund more mental health clinics that provide basic screenings in poverty stricken neighborhoods. Schools, hospitals and community centers should pay attention to the behaviors of their students, patients and customers, referring those who stand out to a mental health professional, and following up to see if they made the appointment. Churches can play a big role, opening up the conversation about mental illness so that families are no longer ashamed to approach the topic with a loved one.

By pushing for awareness in African American communities and increased services in poorer areas, we can begin to erase the stigma associated with the disease and start to create healthier communities.

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Posted in Blog, Healthcare, Mental Health | 5 Comments »