“There is no achievement gap at birth-at least not one that favors European American children.”- Lisa Delpit  Ch. 1 page 5

Throughout the history of America minorities were looked upon as inferior. This has been an ongoing issue that has lasted for generations and has had a lasting effect on both the youth and society as a whole. for at least 100 or so years the minority communities  were not allowed an education so therefore their became an achievement gap, up until the turn of the century. I have a firm belief the more you know and the experiences you develop throughout life change you and mold you into what you are now. 

If we had equal opportunity for education and the world...

“Can you imagine what such institutes might be like? Can you imagine the power of using the community itself as a classroom? As a laboratory? The entire faculty could participate with colleagues across disciplines to focus, with students, on issues facing the microcosm of the world we live in. What would our students learn? That they were connected to the world, that they were important in solving the world’s problems. And faculty members would feel a greater sense of humanity and purpose as we pursue our academic goals.” (Delpit 204)

Basically here Delpit is trying to persuade and convince us of the amazing outcome of equal education and opportunity by asking us to imagine how wonderful society would function if racism ceases to exist.

You cannot value students as intellectual beings without being willing to challenge them, and if they don't feel valued, they will resist being challenged. (Delpit 186)

If children of different ethnic groups are taught the root of the problems they face in society today, this will open a door to end ignorance and give the children a bigger purpose to strive to improve the community and society so that the future can be much brighter.

Not only was special intelligence an acquired skill but the adult brain could be molded as a result of practice and drive. This is a true indication of the brain's "plasticity". In other words, every human brain has the built in capacity to become, over time, what we demand of it. No ability is fixed. Practice can even change the brain. (Delpit 153)

The ability that we all have with our brains to learn and form new habits with focus and practice is truly fascinating. Children must be educated on the brain as well so they are aware of the capabilities they have.

When a teacher is familiar with aspects of a child's culture, then the teacher may be better able to assess the child's competence. (Delpit 138)

One day we will all stand equal under the sun. Just something I needed to remind myself today.

When we teach appropriate conventions and strategies within the context of critical thinking, we can produce the educated people we strive for. (Delpit 135)

In order to deliver appropriate conventions and strategies successfully, teachers must honor and respect the cultures of the homes these children belong to as it is the only path for successful learning and teaching and a brighter future.

We also know that, quality held constant, those who are most familiar with the students they are teaching are most likely to teach them well. (Delpit 114)

When a teacher is familiar with diverse cultures and ethnic groups, they can then be more certain about these children’s specific needs and how to present to these children new and more simple styles of strategies to overcome obstacles, solve problems, and move forward to the next level with understanding.

Certainly, some students need specialized assistance. But why must a school brand them with labels that only cause their teachers, their peers, and ultimately themselves to focus on their weaknesses rather than on nurturing their strengths? (Delpit 97)

Because some students need special attention this is a reason that educators should create a sense of family and caring in the classroom. To ensure child learning successfully the child must be comfortable, and a way for the child to be comfortable is for teachers to be positive and nurture the children’s strength and teach the peers to use this attitude as well so that they can use their strength to heal their weakness.

"Basic skills"---knowledge of the strategies and conventions of middle-class cultural capital---can and must be definitely be taught, but are best taught and learned within the context of meaningful, engaging instruction. (Delpit 55)

Now by explaining to children the importance of how to use basic skills and apply them to think critically, this will assure that all children have access to knowledge that is very important to be successful in modern American society. And the best way to teach these skills to children is through meaningful instructions which catch and keep their attention.

I believe the first step, as scholars suggest, is to become convinced of these children’s inherent intellectual capability, humanity, physical ability, and spiritual character. (Delpit 30)

I believe and agree that there is no doubt in the spiritual character and capabilities of young children. All children should be given a chance to be felt and understood where they come from, have their abilities recognized, and be spoken to with in a style of language and tone that they can understand more easily.

After many visits to American schools, I can say with confidence that in the schools where children are performing at high levels, a large number of teachers are actually teaching. They are visible in the classroom. They have the children’s attention. They are explaining concepts and using metaphors that connect the knowledge children bring to school with the new information the children are learning. (Delpit 8)

Here Delpit is explaining to us the importance of engaging and interacting with children in the classroom and engaging with them on a scale that connects with their characters and successfully delivering information to the children with use of metaphors and examples that the children can relate to and therefore learn more effectively.