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Boston Public Schools update

Description: Three-part series updating the state of the Boston Public Schools since court ordered desegregation. First part on changes in racial and socioeconomic composition of student body. White enrollment has declined and more children come from poor and single-parent households. Second part on the dilapidated conditions of school buildings and the difficult decision of which schools should be closed. Exteriors of closed schools, some boarded up. Third part on the evolution of curriculum planning to enhance flexibility and keep up with standards. Interviews with John Coakley, School Department; Robert Dentler, expert on court order; Ellen Guiney, Citywide Education Coalition; Leon Nelson, Freedom House. Superintendent Robert Spillane attends School Committee meeting.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/20/1985

Imani Institute

Description: Deborah Wang reports that 86 African American students attend the Imani Institute, a private school where students learn about their African heritage. Interview with institute director Ozzie Edwards, who says that parental involvement is key to a child's academic success. He adds that the students learn to be proud of their heritage. The school is housed temporarily in the Elliot Street Congregational Church. Many students formerly attended Boston public schools and area Catholic schools. Interview with President of the Parents' Council, Sadiki Kambon, who says that many African American students are not receiving a good education in the public schools. The Imani Institute needs to raise additional funds in order to make it past its first year.
1:00:11: Visual: Footage of four young African American female students stepping out of a car onto a sidewalk. The girls are dressed in school uniforms. Shots of students in uniforms gathered outside of the Elliot Congregational Church in Roxbury. Shot of an African American boy looking out of a window of the building. Deborah Wang reports that the Imani Institute is not a traditional parochial school. V: Footage of African American schoolchildren gathered in an auditorium. The students sing "Lift Every Voice." Shots of individual schoolchildren. Wang reports that a school assembly is held each morning; that each class has a Swahili name. Wang notes that the students recite a pledge about their African past. V: Footage of the schoolchildren at the assembly saying together, "We are the African people." Wang reports that there are 86 African American students at the Imani Institute; that the students learn about their African heritage. V: Shots of Imani students standing in a classroom; of students sitting in an assembly; of individual schoolchildren. Footage of Ozzie Edwards (Director, Imani Institute) saying that the school gives students a sense of pride about their heritage. Shot of a handwritten sign for the fourth grade class known as "Anika." Footage of an African American female teacher working with students in a classroom; of students working at desks. Wang reports that many of the educational concepts behind the Imani Institute date back to the 1960s; that these educational concepts are becoming more popular with parents. Wang notes that many parents believe that public schools are in crisis. V: Footage of Edwards saying that there are problems with the education of African American children. Edwards says that African American children are not achieving the level of education of other groups. Wang reports that many Imani students are former students of the Boston Public Schools; that some are former students of the African American Catholic school St. Francis de Sales. Wang notes that the St. Francis de Sales school closed over the summer. V: Shot of the exterior of the former St. Francis de Sales school building. Shot of an African American female teacher with young students in a classroom. The students sit in a circle on the floor. Shots of the students. Wang reports that parents of students at the Imani Institute have insisted on having input on the education provided by the school. V: Footage of Sadiki Kambon (President, Parents' Council) saying that many parents decided that the Imani Institute was the best place for their children; that the public schools are not providing a good education. Footage of Edwards saying that parental background and involvement are critical to a child's success in school. Edward says that parents need to be interested in their child's education; that parents do not have to be well educated. Shots of older students in a classroom with an African American male teacher. Shots of the teacher and the students. Wang reports that the school has no permanent home; that the school is housed temporarily in the Elliot Congregational Church. Wang notes that the Imani Institute must raise an additional $60,000 in order to make it past the first year. V: Shots of Imani students leaving the morning assembly.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/12/1989

Nativity Prep School

Description: Alexandra Marks reports that Barry Hynes is preparing to open Nativity Prep School in Roxbury. The Archdiocese of Boston has provided facilities for the school, and tuition is $10 per month. Interview with Barbara Robinson about her inability to afford other private schools, which she wants to do because she doesn't think the Boston Public Schools are doing enough. Interviews with Hynes and Father Bill Cullen, the principal of the school. Hynes says that the school is modeled after a small Jesuit school in New York City. Cullen says that the school will work together with parents to educate their children. Interviews with teachers Calvin Moore and John Riley about the school. Marks reports that Nativity Prep will accept thirty male students aged eleven to thirteen. Marks' report is accompanied by footage of staff cleaning up the building in preparation for the school year.
1:00:15: Visual: Footage of Michael Robinson (age eleven) and two other boys playing basketball on an outdoor court. Alexandra Marks reports that Michael Robinson was born in Roxbury; that his adoptive mother is trying to provide a good education for him. V: Footage of Barbara Robinson (mother of Michael Robinson) being interviewed. Barbara Robinson says that she wants her son to go to a school where he will be encouraged. Shot of Michael Robinson and another boy walking on the sidewalk as they play with a basketball. Marks reports that Barbara Robinson is not impressed with the Boston Public Schools; that the Boston Public Schools have a dropout rate of 40%. Marks reports that Barbara Robinson cannot afford tuition at most private schools. V: Footage of Barbara Robinson being interviewed by Marks. Robinson says that she cannot afford to pay $1600 per year for one child. Marks reports that Barry Hynes (school organizer) is organizing a prep school which will open a few blocks from the Robinsons' home. Marks notes that Hynes has a staff of seven people; that Hynes will charge a tuition of $10 per month. V: Shot of Hynes speaking on the telephone in his office. Shot of a member of Hynes' staff cleaning the woodwork in a classroom. Footage of Hynes being interviewed in his office. Hynes says that the school will have a strict code of conduct; that the school will challenge students academically. Shots of Hynes' staff moving furniture in a classroom. Marks reports that the school will be called Nativity Prep School; that the school is modeled after a small Jesuit school in New York City. Marks notes that Hynes is a retired businessman; that Hynes taught in the New York City Jesuit school for one year. V: Shot of a staff member vacuuming the floor of a classroom. Footage of Hynes being interviewed in his office. Hynes says that he liked the prep school where he taught in New York City; that he will use that school as a model. Shot of a staff member cleaning a wax floor. Marks reports that the school opens tomorrow; that the school will open in the building where the St. Francis de Sales school was once located. Marks notes that the Archdiocese of Boston offered the space to Hynes when they heard his idea. V: Footage of Hynes being interviewed in his office. Hynes says that the building is well equipped and in good shape. Shot of staff members moving a large cabinet in a classroom. Marks reports that the school staff receives a stipend of $200 per week. Marks notes that Hynes met Calvin Moore (teacher) while playing golf. Marks adds that Moore is a graduate of Harvard Law School. V: Footage of Moore being interviewed. Moores says that he wants these kids to grow up and have successful lives. Shot of John Riley (teacher) mopping the floor in a classroom. Marks reports that Riley is a business consultant; that Riley has a masters degree from the Wharton School of Business. V: Footage of Riley being interviewed. Riley says that he has been fortunate; that he wants to give something back to society. Footage of Father Bill Cullen (Principal, Nativity Prep School) in a classroom. Cullen decides where to hang a clock in the classroom. A female staff member assists him. Marks reports that Cullen is the principal; that Cullen is responsible for choosing the first thirty boys to enter the school. Marks notes that the school will accept male students aged eleven to thirteen. V: Footage of Cullen being interviewed. Cullen says that he is looking for parents with a desire to educate their children. Cullen says that the school must work together with parents in order to educate children. Shot of Moore, Cullen, and a female staff member moving furniture in a classroom. Marks reports that the school has raised only half of its operating funds for the year; that the school needs to raise $100,000. V: Footage of Cullen saying that the school and its staff must take a "leap of faith." Cullen says that the school will deal with problems as they arise. Marks reports that Barbara Robinson has great hopes for the school. V: Footage of Robinson being interviewed by Marks. Shot of Barbara Robinson in tears. Robinson says that she cannot keep herself together. Shot of Michael Robinson.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/05/1990