FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson is receiving criticism for an e-mail he sent out last Friday.
In the e-mail, sent out to staff, asks teachers to make sure that minorities aren’t falling behind early in the school year and reminds teachers to make sure they’re making children aware of opportunities available for them.
Early on in the e-mail, Hanson poses the question, “Are your black and brown students finding early success?” That sentence has sparked backlash among parents.
Hanson responded on Monday morning in a conference call with the media. “The language that I used is language that’s been used across the district and country in describing our groups of students by ethnicity for a long time,” said Hanson. “I will clearly be more careful going forward to say African-American and Hispanic students every time I speak about it. If someone needs an apology for it, I will absolutely apologize for using a language set that some people misunderstood the intent. And if anybody was hurt – you know, understood that to be less than what I was intending – I apologize for that as well.”
Hanson’s annual review process begins this Wednesday, which is earlier than typical.
The Fresno Teacher’s Association said on Facebook, they have “asked that it be removed from the agenda and are opposed to any positive evaluation of Superintendent Hanson, as he is under federal criminal investigation.”
Hanson says the district and the FTA are currently in open negotiations.
Fresno Unified also put out a written statement: Superintendent Hanson’s email message to staff on Friday was intended to shine light on the district’s ongoing effort in reducing the academic achievement gap among African-American and Hispanic students-a population that represents 77% of our total district. Despite the recent increases in graduation rates, a-g course completion and SBAC scores, Fresno Unified is still not where it needs to be. In order to achieve the District’s goal of 100% graduate rate, we need to remain focused on bridging those achievement gaps if we are to make dramatic and distinct improvements. Superintendent Hanson was using the same language used across the City and the Nation when discussing ethnicity. His intent was never to offend, but to make visible the population of our students who continue to need additional supports in becoming college and career ready adults.
Here’s the e-mail that Hanson sent to staff on Friday:
Happy Friday!
As we approach the end of our first month of school, I wanted to check in with you to follow up on my Convocation remarks. Are your students feeling connected and performing well? Are your black and brown students finding early success? How has your lesson construction involved supporting and providing for the needs of every student? Are you listening? As the adults in our system, we set the tone for success for all. Please continue to be mindful of this going forward. It means the world to our youth.
We continually strive for our students to be able to select from the greatest number of postsecondary choices from the widest array of options, and part of that effort includes taking the SAT exam. Our next test administration is October 1st, and high school teachers, please support your seniors in getting onto Khan Academy for test practice and personalized feedback on this crucially important exam. Over 90% of our students are already connected to Khan, and we need to support every student is achieving their very best. If the student needs computer access at home, the Boys and Girls Clubs stand ready to help as a great community partner.
Every school district has local business partners like the Boys and Girls Club who serve as unsung heroes, faithfully working to help provide an excellent education for our students. For example, one of our partners- the Fresno Historical Society- supports us in giving our students the opportunity to experience American history, firsthand. As educators, we instinctively know that kids benefit from learning by doing. If you went to outdoor education camp in the 6th grade, it is likely an memory that you still retain as an adult. Our Board of Trustees, in the adopted 2016-17 budget, expanded opportunities for students to benefit from universal access to field trip experiences, in all elementary grades including transitional kindergarten!
Next month, our students will again be able to benefit from our local partnership with the Fresno Historical Society in the Civil War Revisited program at Kearney Park. Kids can have conversations with historical figures, see cannons being fired, and experience firsthand the Civil War era in American History. The “Time Traveler’s Education Days” are taking place on October 19th and 20th at the Kearney Mansion Museum. Last year, our students had a great experience, and we are hoping to expand that opportunity even further this year. As the great American statesman Ben Franklin once said, “Tell me and I will forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn.”
Are there other businesses that are partnering with us whom you feel deserve recognition for their effort? The Fresno Compact annually recognizes local heroes who promote business-education partnerships. Each year, they recognize ten local businesses that have built exceptional partnerships with schools, contributing time and resources to help students reach their full potential. The upcoming recognition event is on March 1st, 2017, and we would love to hear from you regarding local businesses who make a difference in the lives of Fresno Unified’s children.
Here’s wishing you a weekend of great experiences-
Mike
