A Blueprint for Action: Students

II: Students

Preamble: Recognizing the important role that schools play in preparing Black students to become intellectually, socially, and economically productive citizens, and demanding that Black students realize their right to high standards, free and equitable education, we jointly pledge to support or implement the following:

ACTION ITEMS IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES

A. Be responsible and active participants in all activities designed to successfully complete all grades and benchmarks from kindergarten through 12th grade, resulting in high school graduation.
1. Attend school classes on a regular basis.

2. Clarify expectations for lessons and assignments.

3. Turn in assignments on time, including homework.

4. Actively engage in all classroom activities (i.e., discussions, Q & A, projects, etc.).

5. Complete makeup assignments when absent.

6. Participate in extra-curricular activities that do not interfere with primary studies.

7. Obtain accurate information about courses and credits needed for graduation.

8. Set long-term goals, but break them down into incremental steps for achievement.

9. Don't drop out of school.

B. Become an active and empowered learner and participate as a stakeholder in the learning community.
1. Understand the importance of working hard to achieve desired goals (i.e., cultivate a work ethic).

2. Understand the connections between education and the ability to make a living in this society.

3. Avoid behaviors that lead to the easy way out or immediate gratification to the detriment of your long-term goals.

4. Maintain status as a constant learner.

5. Achieve deep understanding of subject and content matter by constantly improving note taking and organization skills.

6. Make the best possible use of time.

7. Learn to work independently and to think critically and analytically.

8. Learn about the contributions and achievements of Black people both current and historic, national and international.

9. Develop an appreciation for your cultural heritage as an African-American.

10. Demand your full rights as a citizen of the United States with all of the attributes of life in a democratic society; exercise your rights.

11. Learn life skills:

a. Learn how to interact with other people;
b. Develop a positive relationship with students and teachers;
c. Avoid useless conflict with authority figures; and
d. Learn when and how to approach a teacher.

12. Learn your most productive style of learning (e.g., from lectures, visuals, activities, discussions, hands-on, etc.) and make best use of your most productive modes.

C. Maintain the status of a positive, cooperative and well behaved school citizen.
1. Understand and obey the rules of the school and classrooms.

2. Respect yourself and the rights of others.

3. Avoid disruptive, violent or criminal behaviors. Avoid the use of all drugs and alcoholic substances.

4. Know your rights, but don't violate the rights of others.

5. Choose productive friends and role models, be friendly and you will have friends.

D. Become involved in support networks that can assist you and others in reaching education goals.
In your association with Students:

1. Learn to work cooperatively.

2. Participate in study groups with fellow students.

3. Serve as a mentor or tutor to fellow African-American students.

In your association with Experts and Community Resources:

4. Participate in extra-curricular academic activities with community experts (i.e., chess, debating team, film and video development projects).

5. Reach out to community leaders: political, religious, social, and recreational.

Invite them to visit school and to participate in school activities.

Seek their help in solving problems related to their fields.

6. Participate in arts and recreational activities with community experts (e.g., choirs, bands, sports, crafts, field trips).

In your association with Family and Friends:

7. Discuss your grades and report cards with your family.

8. Encourage family/parents to make scheduled and unscheduled visits to school to observe and to discuss your progress.

9. Learn from your elders (family and friends); take the best they have to offer.

10. Talk with someone you trust about what's working or not working for you in school, and act on his/her advice.

In your association with School Staff:

11. Be clear with teachers and others about what is expected of you and of them.

12. Be clear about the roles of school staff-teachers, administrators, counselors, maintenance personnel, secretaries, paraprofessionals, etc.

13. Understand the school hierarchy and structure - school board, superintendent, etc.

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And for permission to redistribute, please contact:
Elizabeth Norwood
E-mail: esnorwood@aol.com
NCEBC: National Council on Educating Black Children
P.O. Box 2293
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website Copyright © 1999 New Horizons for Learning, all rights reserved.
URL: http://www.newhorizons.org
E-mail: info@newhorizons.org

ACTION ITEMS	IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES
A. Be responsible and active participants in all activities designed to successfully complete all grades and benchmarks from kindergarten through 12th grade, resulting in high school graduation.	1. Attend school classes on a regular basis. 2. Clarify expectations for lessons and assignments. 3. Turn in assignments on time, including homework. 4. Actively engage in all classroom activities (i.e., discussions, Q & A, projects, etc.). 5. Complete makeup assignments when absent. 6. Participate in extra-curricular activities that do not interfere with primary studies. 7. Obtain accurate information about courses and credits needed for graduation. 8. Set long-term goals, but break them down into incremental steps for achievement. 9. Don't drop out of school.
B. Become an active and empowered learner and participate as a stakeholder in the learning community.	1. Understand the importance of working hard to achieve desired goals (i.e., cultivate a work ethic). 2. Understand the connections between education and the ability to make a living in this society. 3. Avoid behaviors that lead to the easy way out or immediate gratification to the detriment of your long-term goals. 4. Maintain status as a constant learner. 5. Achieve deep understanding of subject and content matter by constantly improving note taking and organization skills. 6. Make the best possible use of time. 7. Learn to work independently and to think critically and analytically. 8. Learn about the contributions and achievements of Black people both current and historic, national and international. 9. Develop an appreciation for your cultural heritage as an African-American. 10. Demand your full rights as a citizen of the United States with all of the attributes of life in a democratic society; exercise your rights. 11. Learn life skills: a. Learn how to interact with other people; b. Develop a positive relationship with students and teachers; c. Avoid useless conflict with authority figures; and d. Learn when and how to approach a teacher. 12. Learn your most productive style of learning (e.g., from lectures, visuals, activities, discussions, hands-on, etc.) and make best use of your most productive modes.
C. Maintain the status of a positive, cooperative and well behaved school citizen.	1. Understand and obey the rules of the school and classrooms. 2. Respect yourself and the rights of others. 3. Avoid disruptive, violent or criminal behaviors. Avoid the use of all drugs and alcoholic substances. 4. Know your rights, but don't violate the rights of others. 5. Choose productive friends and role models, be friendly and you will have friends.
D. Become involved in support networks that can assist you and others in reaching education goals.	In your association with Students: 1. Learn to work cooperatively. 2. Participate in study groups with fellow students. 3. Serve as a mentor or tutor to fellow African-American students. In your association with Experts and Community Resources: 4. Participate in extra-curricular academic activities with community experts (i.e., chess, debating team, film and video development projects). 5. Reach out to community leaders: political, religious, social, and recreational. Invite them to visit school and to participate in school activities. Seek their help in solving problems related to their fields. 6. Participate in arts and recreational activities with community experts (e.g., choirs, bands, sports, crafts, field trips). In your association with Family and Friends: 7. Discuss your grades and report cards with your family. 8. Encourage family/parents to make scheduled and unscheduled visits to school to observe and to discuss your progress. 9. Learn from your elders (family and friends); take the best they have to offer. 10. Talk with someone you trust about what's working or not working for you in school, and act on his/her advice. In your association with School Staff: 11. Be clear with teachers and others about what is expected of you and of them. 12. Be clear about the roles of school staff-teachers, administrators, counselors, maintenance personnel, secretaries, paraprofessionals, etc. 13. Understand the school hierarchy and structure - school board, superintendent, etc.