Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, June 25, 2014, Page 6, Image 6

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Page 6
Çortlani» (Observer
lune 25, 2014
New Prices
Effective
May 1,2010
Martin
Cleaning
Service
DÏSUODGéS
w -fte. H ouse
Carpet & Upholstery
Cleaning
Residential &
Commercial Services
Minimum Service CHG.
$45.00
A sm all distance/travel charge
m ay be applied
CARPET CLEANING
2 Cleaning Areas or
more $30.00 Each Area
Pre-Spray Traffic Areas
(Includes: 1 sm all H allw ay)
1 Cleaning Area (only)
$40.00
Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area
(Hallway Extra)
Stairs (12-16 stairs - With
Other Services): $25.00
Area/Oriental Rugs.
$25.00 Minimum
Area/Oriental Rugs (Wool):
$40.00Minimum
Heavily Soiled Area:
Additional $10.00 each area
(Requiring Extensive Pre-Spraying)
UPHOLSTERY
CLEANING
Sofa: $69.00
Loveseat: $49.00
Sectional: $109 - $139
Chair or Recliner
$25 - $49
Throw Pillows (With
Other Services): $5.00
%
ADDITIONAL
SERVICES
• Area & Oriental Rug
Cleaning
• Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning
• Deodorizing & Pet
Odor Treatment
• Spot & Stain
Removal Service
• Scotchguard Protection
• Minor Water Damage
Services
SEE CURRENT FLYER
FOR ADDITIONAL
PRICES & SERVICES
Call for Appointment
(503) 281-3949
The Most Pressing Civil Rights Issue of our Time
The racial
inequality in
schools
by
J udge G reg M athis
New data released by
the Department of Educa­
tion and Departm ent of
Justice present troubling
statistics for minority students in
America.
The com prehensive survey
shows racial disparities in U.S.
schools that draw strong simi­
larities to conditions prior to the
Brown versus Board of Educa­
tion ruling to desegregate Ameri­
can schools. On average, Afri­
can-American and Latino stu­
dents do not have access to the
same educational opportunities
as their white colleagues - leav­
ing them less prepared when
they enter college or join the
workforce.
The Civil Rights Data Collec­
tion survey includes statistics
from every public school in
America. The survey found that
in high schools that serve the
highest percentage of Latino and
African-American students, one
in three of those schools did not
offer a chemistry course and
one in four did not offer a math
course higher than Algebra I.
In addition, schools that of­
fered advanced education pro­
grams on average had
only 26 percent of Afri-
c a n -A m e ric a n and
Latino students enrolled
in those programs, de­
spite African-American
and Latino populations of 40 per­
cent.
In today’s workforce high-
income earners are expected to
obtain advanced degrees in fields
such as engineering, medicine,
or finance. However, we see
that minorities are not given and
equal opportunity to master these
skills early on. White students
are more likely to begin their
college education with more ad­
vanced skills in math and sci­
ence.
The study also suggests that
gaps for minority students in our
schools begin at a young age.
The Department of Education
found African-Am erican pre­
school students account for 48
percent of public preschool stu­
dent suspensions even though
they only makeup 18 percent of
the preschool population.
Educators generally agree that
early-childhood education is the
most important stage of devel­
o p m e n t fo r c h ild re n . T he
H ighS cope P erry P reschool
Study found that children under
5 who had access to early high­
school education earned an av­
erage of $2,000 per month more
than children that did not. When
children fall behind at a young
age it can be extremely difficult
to catch up and can have life­
long consequences.
Educational equality and equal
opportunity is emerging as the
most critical civil rights issue of
our time. The African-Ameri­
can and Latino communities have
a shared fate in this struggle.
The statistics in this study sug­
gest that even though segrega­
tion w as outlaw ed A frican-
Americans and Latinos are con­
fronted with present day segre­
gation "Defacto Segregation" in
our schools. Across the board
they are more likely to attend
public schools with less resources
and subpar course offerings that
cripple their ability to learn and
keep up with their non-minority
colleagues.
I would argue that this educa­
tional disparity is the most press-
ing civil rights issue of our time,
because it has such long-lasting
effects on our children's future
earnings potential. The Latino
and African-American com mu­
nities have a shared fate in this
struggle and need to join together
to fight for equality.
Ensuring an equal education
for m inority students has im ­
plications far beyond the A fri­
c a n -A m e ric a n an d L a tin o
populations. If L atino and A f­
rican-A m erican students d o n ’t
succeed our nation ca n ’t suc­
ceed.
In the 2010 census, Latinos
and A frican-A m ericans were
a lm o s t 30 p e rc e n t o f th e
A m erican population, and this
num ber is expected to increase
in the future. The A m erican
econom y cannot rem ain at the
top o f the w orld if we are not
giving our children the tools
they need to be successful in
the w orkforce.
Judge Greg M athis is
known fo r his advocacy fo r
equal justice. His inspirational
life story o f a street youth who
rose from ja il to Judge has
provided hope to millions who
watch him on the TV court
show Judge Mathis.