African-Americans, High School to Prison?

Teacher: Mr. Jones

Email: kjones4@schools.nyc.gov

Social Studies 9^th Grade

Bread and Roses High School for Integrated Arts

INTRODUCTION

Are any of the males in your family in prison? Did you know that currently in the United States there are more African American males in prison than there are in college?

It has been said that there are more than three times as many black people live in prison cells as in college dorms. Is there some truth to this fact? Can you use your own experiences as the litmus test? For many years, men of color have suffered many injustices in the legal system due to racial profiling, or is this simply the end product of poor schooling?

President Obama has specifically asked for your panel to research the nature of the relationship between the dropout rate of African-American males and incarceration. Your task is to develop a report and a PowerPoint presentation that will both underline the problem and present possible solutions for the president to consider. This should be interesting and convincing in its presentation of realistic solutions.

Task:

In this WebQuest, you will research the relationship, if any, between the number of African American males in prison who have completed secondary school and those that have been incarcerated. Based on your findings, you will deliver a presentation in groups of 3 to the class in which you identify 3 possible reasons why this problem exists and suggest 4 possible solutions. You must cite the sources of you information and explain the reasoning behind your suggested solutions thoroughly.

Things to stimulate your thinking:

· How did this problem begin?

· Can anything be done to lower this number?

· Are there any policies currently in place to address this issue?

· Does this issue affect you currently?

· Do you think this issue will ever completely go away?

PROCEES/ RESOURCES

In order to conduct your research and create your presentation, you must follow the Public Policy Analyst steps for looking at this problem. Initially, you will work individually on steps 1-4 to collect your data. At step 5, your teacher will place you in groups of 3, to develop and select the best solution, develop your script and plan your presentation.

On your own:

1. Define the Problem- How does the incarceration rate of African American males compare to that of other ethnicities in the Unites States?

2. Gather the Evidence – Find specific statistical data that highlights your problem

3. Identify the causes- What are the reasons/ causes of this problem? What is the root of this issue?

4. Evaluate an Existing Policy- Research an existing policy and clearly state whether it is helping to address the problem or ineffective

5. Develop Solutions- In order to develop a public policy solution for your social problem, it is helpful to consider multiple alternatives.

6. Select the Best Solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)- In Step 5 you listed three alternative policies and you made an initial selection of your preferred policy. Two criteria that will assist in determining the best policy are feasibility and effectiveness.

RESOURCES

General search engines:

1. www.google.com

2. www.bing.com

3. www.yahoo.com

Websites and News Articles:

· More black men in jail or college? An old “fact” revisited

· Black Male Dropouts Lead Nation in Incarceration

· Incarceration vs. Education: Reproducing Racism and Poverty in America

· Plight Deepens for Black Men, Studies Warn

· Study Finds High Rate of Imprisonment Among Dropouts

· Young Black Males Headed for Extinction?

· Black Male High School Dropouts Headed to Prison

· The American Prison Nightmare

· Mass Imprisonment and the Life Course: Race and Class Incarceration in U.S. Imprisonment

· Uneven Justice: State Rates of Incarceration By Race and Ethnicity

Evaluation:

Your group presentation/ Video will be evaluated using the following rubric.

Conclusion:

This webquest will allow you and your classmates to reflect on the current prison system and the school system, allowing you to evaluate any relations that exists within it. As a result of this project, you will have the opportunity to share the information you learned and express your opinions with your classmates about how to improve public policies that affect this problem in our society. This is the goal of your presentation.

Standards:

Comprehension and Collaboration

• Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

• Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience

Comprehension and Collaboration

• RL.11-12.1. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
• SL.11-12.1. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
• Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.
• Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision-making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual roles as needed.
• Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that probe reasoning and evidence; ensure a hearing for a full range of positions on a topic or issue; clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions; and promote divergent and creative perspectives.
• Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the task