Why African American Boys don't want to drop out of daycare

African American males are in an academic crisis according to leading news stories, magazine articles, and statistics. It's said that African American males are dropping out of school at alarming rates. I can't tell you which research data to believe; however, I can tell you that, if I tell you enough times that you have a problem eventually it become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It bewilders me how one group of people (African American males) can have such a devastating problem, but even with all the intelligent minds we have today no one can come up with a solution.

Okay, so you are probably thinking what's the correlation between the African American males who drop out of high school, and the African American boys not wanting to drop out of daycare?

In this article I propose to give you my point of view on why African American boys do not want to drop out of daycare; however, you will have to decide if it is relevant to why they drop out of high school.

Five days a week you have African American boys walking through the doors of daycare centers all over the nation. Many likely walk through on that first day with reservations; however, they likely leave that same day anxious to return. When these little boys walk into these centers they are welcomed, the environments are nurturing, and the smiling faces are happy to have them. Do you think it's the same in the average high school in America? Negative peer pressure rarely exists if at all. The boys are encouraged by their peers to participate in learning, and the learning is considered fun, as well as enjoyable. Many of these boys are anxious to share what they are learning with their parent's; do you think this happens at the high school level?

In daycare when children behave inappropriately, often it is the peers who step in to correct them. Understanding right from wrong starts early and there are no negative repercussions for doing so.

For the most part the daycare centers offer a safe environment for African American boys. Although children do get into altercations and teasing does occur, you don't hear much about bullying taking place. Do you think students feel safe in the average high school across America?

In daycare centers teachers have high expectations and African American boys are not intimidating; therefore, they are actively engaged. Little boys with braids are cute.

Daycare centers fit in line with the African Proverb "it takes a village to raise a child"; the centers are little communities where the needs of the members (children) are being met. With all that being said, by the time many of these little boys get to high school all of this has changed for them.

The environment is no longer nurturing, many peers do not encourage learning, the expectations of many teachers aren't high, and too many parents only show up to sporting events. That cute little African American boy with braids in daycare is now that big African American male with braids in high school. Due to lack of culture awareness many teachers, male and female, are threatened by his appearance; therefore, he's no longer actively engaged. He's no longer cute; he's intimidating. Many African American males no longer feel included; therefore learning is no longer fun. Consequently, many African American males no longer want to participate in academic learning because they don't see the relevancy. The pressure from the peers is of a different type now, and many drop out well before they leave the building; although, many are yearning for help, they do not know how to appropriately verbally express it. In daycare centers the little boys let you know what they want. Do you see the difference?

The bulleted list following, will simplify why African American boys do not want to drop out of daycare. *?The environment is nurturing *?Expectations are high *?Learning is encouraged and supported *?Peer pressure is positive *?Teachers actively engage all students *?Teachers are not intimidated *?Parent's are involved *?Relationships are positive

Wouldn't it be great if the principles used in daycare centers were used in high school? This article was not written to place blame on the system or parent's. The point of the article is to open they eyes of all those who are involved in the lives of school age children. These principles would work well with all children; I chose African American males because according to statistics they are the group dropping out at alarming rates.

Khalil Shakeel works as a high school social worker in North Carolina. He's an advocate for African American males as he tries to assist them in giving their best efforts to be successful. Mentor programs started include: A Better M.A.L.E., High F.I.V.E., and Teach D.I.R.E.C.T.