How America's public schools keep kids in poverty | Kandice Sumner

[@moonpiemoonpie]

Aww. This happened to me. My senior teacher bought me mockingjay from hunger games series. I was so shook. I cried. In the back; she wrote, “you can travel the world without even leaving your couch”

[@HappinessTheBrand]

Sissssss 😭😭😭😭😭

[@reeshabrown9160]

I immediately geared up from this comment

[@nuggettacoguyperson8841]

Get that teacher a reward

[@aliceearley3842]

Beautiful, The world is yours by reading.

[@smartart3097]

This is why my mom moved us to a small (probably the cheapest apartment) condo in the expensive side of Seattle because those schools in our zone would get so much funding! And did all her purchasing on the other side of town 😂 She didn’t like living where we did but loved her for that! I went to such a great school thanks to her! Lol

[@LevelUpWithMatthew]

SMart ART That happened to me in NYC only when I got to the school I realized all the people who lived in the area sent their kids to Private Schools or other schools and not the one I went to lmao so funny

[@strafer8764]

She saw the bigger picture albeit a public school is still a public school.

[@courtneymoore2140]

They get the funding then dump the children yes or he black children are very much mistreated and so are the Mexican children too it’s so unfair

[@Gearsturfs]

You deserve a community that reflects you and has similar resources tho as well

[@pgppe9488]

Was the improvement in the new school really linked to more funding or did the environment improve because a majority of the kids were really committed to learning which made it easier for you to learn?

[@ThatGirlWithTheCoffee]

I love TED talks from teachers, as they can always articulate their message so well. Kudos to Ms Sumner :)

[@DJAyt69]

That Girl With The Coffee My school said to young me that I am a failure and tried to make me wanna become a janitor but I refused and I’m going to own a huge business and fix all this and become the world’s greatest hero

[@jonaHISTS]

People get stuck on the racial portion of this Ted Talk and totally skip over the issue of having quality education for more children.

[@jonaHISTS]

PE /\ KE Whenever someone says anything about race people jump at the chance to dismiss it as whining and not working for what you have. If a child isn't exposed to different educational options of course they are doomed to repeat the generations before them. The overall message was about wanting better education for all children, but people in the comment section didn't care.

[@bnobriga2]

Well it is just a weird thing to emphasize since the race when that isn't the issue, the poverty thing is the issue so that is what should be emphasized.

[@jonaHISTS]

dakota Nobriga Statistics don't lie about the racial demographics of poorer areas. She was speaking from a personal experience which does not diminish the overall message.

[@dorianm6502]

Jona M thank you Jona everyone just makes comments saying oh white kids are poor too and have gone to schools with few resources ... smh

[@pacoo3712]

News Flash!!! This whole video was about race, if you didn't notice....

[@EdithDLT]

This made me cry. I grew up in a poor neighborhood in north east LOs Angeles. Let me rephrase that; a poor and DANGEROUS neighborhood. I’m starting to uncover truths about my educational experience discrimination. And it makes me blood boil. My sister was held back a year because she was bilingual she performed at a level all her classmates did but was discriminated against because mostly spoke Spanish, but on paper she excelled. As for me, my teachers insisted to put me into special education courses because I didn’t talk but again, like my sister I excelled on tests they gave me to test my competency. I understood them but didn’t talk (Thats for another conversation as to why I didn’t talk). My mom had to fight the school for me to continue a “normal”education. I have a younger sister now and she’s in the second grade I want to invest more money into her education and for her to become well rounded. But obviously I am a broke college student who is taking more units than what is considered full time 😕.

[@brittaneyjammeh6110]

Me too

[@Gearsturfs]

It’s so common to see these things. We need more advocates in schools to disrupt these biases. The thing in even if you aren’t excelling you shouldn’t be relegated to different areas away from other kids. It stunts growth and is marginalizing

[@Cynthia-fx4we]

The school received additional money because you were a special education student, and your mother could have received a SSI check for you so that she could pay for additional services for you. Did they inform her?

[@EdithDLT]

⁠​⁠@@Cynthia-fx4wenope! I never actually went to those special education classes so I’m not too sure if they would have given any ssi to my mom.

[@kinsmed]

A passionate speaker lays bare a topic long glossed-over. I had forgotten until this video about the time I bought a dozen books for kids who were economically left out from a book fair. Later I was told they even took their books out to recess to read 'their own book'. Years later it destroys me to remember it. This video will be a periodic mandatory viewing for me, now a Parent-Teacher org. president. Where will you and your kid be years later?

[@Beautyaddixion]

Education varies so widely from state to state. It's hard to generalize why problems happen the way they do. But teachers whom have actually taught in high poverty schools have valuable opinions that are seldom listened to.

[@cosimoto8700]

Schools nowadays dont even teach you how to handle your money and stuff. People are taught to be employees, rather than teaching them how to be CEOs or entrepreneurs. Its why there are so many impovrished people. Its hard to make a change when youre too "dumb" (uneducated) to even know where to start.

[@libra9290]

@Angel S Well good for you but most schools don't do that.

[@stayswervin554]

@@cosimoto8700 you live in the age of information

[@chub.master8171]

@@stayswervin554 the age of information has been around since the dawn of man. the problem with school that you probably don’t even know is the fact that school wasn’t made to educate to begin with, it was only turned that way because the nice white moms believed their children, white children, had more potential than the minorities so they should be put in better schools. also white people are seen as superior where do the minorities fit in here? to separate the “good” students from “the bad”

[@RobertMJohnson]

it's not hard to generalize AT ALL. and it's "who have" not "whom have"

[@jayfel104]

I went from an Urban area high school where we had a small library with only 6 computers that were way out of date, and old wooden chairs. We had old broken desks in classrooms, old books with the bindings falling apart, and chalkboards. Then I moved to the suburbs my Junior year and their library was as big as a gymnasium, with 30 brand new computers, comfortable seats that reclined, and couches to study on. Our classrooms had tables as desks that were wide enough to fit 3 books, whiteboards, a computer in every classroom, books that were brand new and still in the plastic. It really made you realize how behind an urban area school can be. I was grateful for the opportunities and resources I had, and I went from failing most of my classes Sophomore year to graduating on time and eventually becoming a teacher.

[@DJAyt69]

Jacob Luck My school said to young me that I am a failure and tried to make me wanna become a janitor but I refused and I’m going to own a huge business and fix all this and become the world’s greatest hero

[@peaceinthemidst2814]

EXACTLY! I had a similar experience and that's why I know judgemental ppl are clueless when they say everyone has the same opportunities in this country. If some are getting taught life skills and others bs then what else would you expect but desperate ppl that don't know how to stay afloat! That system was set up deliberately and then drugs were flooded into desperate neighborhoods. We didn't go get that addiction ourselves. There's a quiet system in place that takes away hope and offers death in different forms to desperate ppl. the same devils that set the system in motion understood that if you teach everyone neccessary skills equally, they'd have no more poverty and poverty related crimes.

[@purpp-esque1711]

Why were you failing if low income schools curriculum is easier?

[@jenniferross3725]

Yes Team Teacher 💪✅

[@tierax8992]

@@purpp-esque1711 home life, lack of resources keep up bud

[@HappinessTheBrand]

" The problems we have as a country, are the problems we created *as a country.* " Sis.

[@teresawicks-kq3bq]

Caira Lee: "The problems we have as a country, are the problems we created as a country" Me: the problems were created by these racist white supremacist who are in power

[@allysonmessina1785]

Right that is some powerful knowledge... unbelievable.. and you would think in 2020 we would have rectified issues by now... wow...

[@derp8575]

Then stop voting Democrat.

[@BOX3DOUT]

@@derp8575 both are the problem. you too suffer from lack of proper education.

[@lisacox3750]

@Herpes-Lip…if you don’t realize both parties are the problem, you are still brainwashed

[@danya8292]

Some people missed the point!!! Her parents (College educated) chose to work in public service. Therefore, she lived in a impoverished school district. She said people can help by donating time, money, resources, opportunities or whatever's in their heart... not just Money! Clearly she's speaking from her experience as a student, as well a Teacher!

[@TB-zj4sp]

To me she was preaching hate against white folks , like it's white folks problem that all this started for black folks. If I remember president Monroe gave black folks the option to go back to Africa. They have a city in Africa named after president Monroe.

[@mkp8942]

Rockstar Rhyno and that’s the real problem: lack of responsible parenting! NO it’s not the job of the “village” to raise a child, it’s the job of the parents who conceived the child to raise it! Tired of this lame excuse. Make your own children accountable. Children need rules and boundaries and a parent to guide them!

[@allysonmessina1785]

@@TB-zj4sp That is not at all what she is trying to do or say. I am a white woman and I never got any of what you picked up on, that was not her point at all!!!!!!

[@rutvin8763]

@@TB-zj4sp This is such a stupid argument. By your logic, white Americans should return to Europe if they don't like the idea of a more egalitarian society put forward here. And yes, white folks DID start the problem from slavery to Jim Crow to especially the post-WWII suburbanization movement where African Americans were systematically excluded from owning suburban property, something that directly contributes to the massive socioeconomic disparities we see today. You perpetuate the problem by not recognizing the existence of white privilege.

[@TB-zj4sp]

@@rutvin8763 and you don't think there are black privileged ? My note was that she was emphasizing black and brown children and I never once heard her mention a white child. Not all white children have good educational institutions to learn from , if you do your research and pick a community out that is 97% white that has middle to low income status and hang out in one of the class rooms you will understand what I am saying. Her parents are college educated but still chose to live in a underprivileged neighborhood ( not sure why ) but that is the way capitalism works. This young lady i know is stating to me anyway that inner city schools are lacking the equipment that the suburban privileged schools have , i am not sure why that is unless people in those privileged areas are donating money to buy the equipment whereas people in poorer community's lack the money because of their education ?

[@kempai]

Unfortunately, the best way to keep people under control is to keep them barely educated, and I don't see any change coming any time soon.

[@MyTy1978]

jfsfrnd You mean the poorly educated parents?

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

Patrick Mac They hold themselves back.

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

jfsfrnd 1. Fail to graduate high school. 2. A 70% out of wedlock birth rate. 3. Embracing thug culture.

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

jfsfrnd Open your eyes. The facts are every where. www.city-journal.org/html/what%E2%80%99s-holding-blacks-back-12025.html

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

jfsfrnd It was a place for you to start.

[@snowpunk116]

"School funding should not be decided by property taxes" Amen!

[@tulipbuttercup]

Samuel backus well how else do you suppose we fund schools? You spend more money to live in a nice neighborhood, you pay more in taxes, and you have access to better funded schools.

[@THESEADOG82]

Samuel backus should be no public schools at all... I can already say everything she will talk about.. Bla Bla Bla same song . More Karl Marx bullshit...

[@commentingaccount1383]

Yeah, everyone should have to pay for their education, that way lazy poor people can be poor forever. It's just slavery with extra steps

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

Samuel backus Black communities should work harder to have quality communities that would generate taxes to support their schools. Rather than having the black school officials steal the federal funding that gets allocated to them.

[@jcast39atmsn]

Rachelle Nixon How do you think minorities and whites were allocayed to those neighborhoods in the first place?

[@brianabalandran-diaz9975]

Wow this has been the best TedTalk video I’ve ever seen, thank you Ms. Sumner for opening the eyes of others, every student deserves a HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION no matter rich or poor, color of their skin or special need.

[@cjar1981]

I guess i was really blessed. All the things this young lady spoke of, were available to me, for free in an urban/inner city schools. I went on the best field trips, had after school programs and book fairs. We had a freshly cooked lunch, daily. I was gratefully exposed to so much. I still have a love for learning into my fifties which I'm sure will never stop due to really great teachers and staff that mentored me. I was also accepted into a top tier college as were my high school classmates. The decline came under the Reagan administration, where he took a big pair of scissors and cut everything, from CETA schools and inner cities have suffered all the way around ever since. Which is really and truly most unfortunate.

[@leeschmiedeke3495]

Give this girl a triple A+ for the insight she has gained & brought to the forefront and had the gumption to put out there. She should be a principal or school administrator somewhere. She deserves a much deserved raise at least if nothing else. Teachers like her are one in a million!

[@janebabbitt7206]

I'm sorry to criticize your excellent observation, but don't you mean "Give this woman a triple A+"?

[@cartergomez5390]

👏

[@tytre44]

All teachers need paid more

[@mspricec1]

As a College Degreed Business Professional single parent of two children, I've raised children in both Urban and Suburban public school districts. What she states in this video rings true in our city/region of America. When my oldest son started school in the urban schools, I encouraged him to do his best and he became a top student. When we moved to a predominantly White suburb where the classes weren't filled with kids that looked like him, and his best still put him behind the majority of their kids in his class. We worked hard for him to catch up and eventually he did. We moved away 4 years later to a predominately Black suburb expecting the same level of education but we found that schools in that district were far behind the one we left. Eventually, I choose the public schools differently and we found better performing schools that prepared him for the University he now attends. My younger son has yet to receive a higher quality education as we are currently back in the inner city. We will leave to a better performing suburban school district soon so that her too can be prepared for college. #my2cents

[@kmarcol1]

Why did you move around so much?

[@becool365]

It is funny how the country that hails democracy fails to address the other side of the coin.

[@keithbell9348]

becool365- Yep. Ironic how this country hails the institution of and the importance of education and that it absolutely should be available for all!...And then devalues that same claim.

[@jll5568]

the US is a Constitutional Republic not a Democracy. Rule of Law not Rule of the Masses/Mob.

[@josephstevens4032]

@@jll5568 That is the biggest problem.

[@benjaminr8961]

@@josephstevens4032 No that is the greatest strength. The idea that everyone knows enough about everything to vote on it responsibly is retarded.

[@mkp8942]

大豬豬 socialism? What rock have you been under? History proves that Socialism is not the answer. Why would you want the government dictating to us, deciding for us? Screw that!

[@cj20032005]

My wife was a math teacher in some of the worst high schools In the Bronx. There were a few things that stood out to me: lack of student attendance, lack of parental guidance, lack of care from the administration. Most of the students missed multiple days a week and when they were present they refused to do the work. When my wife called the parents about their children most of them were angry they were being bothered. The administration didn't want to help, and even told my wife to stop calling parents. My wife ended up quitting and opening her own tutoring business. There are many instances when teachers are terrible, but the students and parents have to put in the effort too. People try to make excuses for everything.

[@josh2731]

NYC ever herd of the hierarchy of needs? it's hard to care about self actualization when you are concerned with food and shelter. your wife is a teacher she should know this already

[@palomdude]

So you agree with NYC and disagree with the speaker. Poor people going to better schools wouldn't help them succeed, because the problem is the children don't care about school, they care about food and shelter. I agree with NYC and you. I just want to understand your argument. Don't tell me that you see NYC making negative remarks and don't even understand his argument and go straight into bashing him and making excuses, right? Because what you said completely aligns with what NYC said.

[@TalkEssence]

Hmm. The founder of the Donors Choose site she spoke of is a teacher in the Bronx. Interesting how she saw a need to be filled where you seek to blame. She sought to unite with a solution. Still, I think it's awesome your wife chose to tutor. Tutors out here cost an arm and a leg - hundreds per month so sadly it only helps those who can afford it here.

[@trinidadianbeauty1]

NYC amen

[@kareemhailey9585]

NYC I’m from the “hood” and took my kids out of the “hood” and I can tell you our black community is 5 generations behind white generations, on top of that, all Americans love violence but the black community love for violence and respect is beyond understanding and it’s going to take more than school to change my black communities outlook on life, prayers are needed

[@rainbowcity911]

I remember at my zone school we had subs everyday for over a year . We didn’t learn anything at all and all started middle school clueless with the academics .

[@lovettuduebor1902]

Best piece of advice, get your kids in the best school possible. Education is key to economic growth and choice.

[@mlazos]

Less wars, more education, more schools, less jails, and less army. Just give little bit more to the education to create a better society.

[@linkoln_sosias]

mlazos exactly. why does the U.S put $780 billion into their military to "protect their people" when it is hurting their people indirectly. putting 20% of that budget into healthcare & education and other poor systems will boost the quality of the country by so much

[@mlazos]

link 1234 because the government dont want citizens, dont want thinkers, they want sheep to rule! this is the reason. They spend million of bombs to kill people in places nobody have heard before and no money for education. I hope your people will wake up soon and demand what they deserve, Good quality education and health care.

[@sandisland9270]

mlazos you are right.

[@linkoln_sosias]

look at finland and Norway

[@tnndll4294]

Bullshit. The Educational system in the US is run by Democrats. They're incompetent with ANY money you give them. Even other liberals are starting to rebel (40 years too late): kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3-2dpKvi6ugoq8

[@jricrianne]

As a black person I get her message; however, teachers can't teach people who don't want to learn. the black community tends to stigmatize those who want to learn and make something of themselves. Because I believed on speaking and writing standard English growing up my peers said that I was trying to "act white" and trying to be better than them. systemized racism exists but the person who wants to learn will no matter what. My life turned out so different from others in my class and we all had the same classes and teachers. I don't blame the system anymore I just show my nephews how they can beat it and come out on top

[@letthatsinkin4913]

Sadly true, yes. The system created to keep the slaves weak hundreds of years ago has yet to be abolished completely.

[@TarturasSAVANT]

jricri anne You my friend are just teaching them the crabs in the bucket mantality. We have a faulty system that needs to be fix you ignoring it is a lot worst than the people complaining about it. Get yours and go won't work anymore. If we take pride being who we are and what we do without acknowledging the facts only keep poor people down. This isn't about race its about funding. Poor people won't get funding because of thought the are not deserving of it. Their are children right now in sweat shops that my never make anything out of their life and that shouldn't have to do that. But if thats the only way for them to survive should we as people be okay with that.... No... Things need to change and it won't happen if we don't acknowledge the fact and try and change them.

[@bardlishthemagnifico]

No. Our education system was designed to crank out people with just enough education to work in turn of the century factories but not enough to understand that they were being played. It had nothing to do with slavery or race. When the current education system was created, it was created by people who did not even consider black people as a component of it.

[@thomascameron2612]

Wow all these responses to jricri anne are sad. I am a young Australian man of 21. I went to good and bad schools throughout my schooling career. I did poorly in all of them because I wasn't interested in learning. having dropped out before completing year 12, I realized that actually I was now responsible for myself. I got a job and worked hard and I do so to this day. I am proud of what I have achieved despite the fact that I threw away a lot of the privilege that my early life gave me. Privilege, and even good schooling, doesn't determine outcomes. Work ethic and the realization that you have responsibilities does. If you start feeding everyone lies like, "Oh well don't feel the need to work hard because the system is busted anyways" then you are looking at a whole generation of people who are not going to be interested in learning. It doesn't matter how "good" or "bad" the teachers are. Nothing. Will. Work. I am part of this generation. The point is that I did poorly in both the good schools and the bad ones. It didn't matter. I wasn't interested in learning and no amount of coaxing would have changed that.

[@thomascameron2612]

Rishivar Mukherjee Well, I guess part of my point is that you can do well in life despite not having done anything in school. Not because that is something I want to encourage, more because that is the nature of our enormously rich and free western societies. Nobody is holding you back but yourself. The schooling system, while important, is not everything and should not be thought of as such. This mindset is equally unhelpful for different reasons.

[@jazzyBtrippin]

This was beautifully said. Her passion brought tears to my eyes.

[@aedriale4443]

I am a middle schooler. I have been blessed with a very good school. Now that I here about this, I will definitely try to contribute. Before this video, I honestly thought all different colors of kids go to a school that happen to have mostly caucasians. Because before I went to this new school I had gone to a school that happen to have mostly Hispanic children. I was ignorant of the education difference between me and those contemporary. This is definitely an idea that needs to be acted upon.

[@HipHopMovieNews]

What a passionate teacher.

[@DJAyt69]

Pierre Films My school said to young me that I am a failure and tried to make me wanna become a janitor but I refused and I’m going to own a huge business and fix all this and become the world’s greatest hero

[@bellablackmist5033]

I love how she not only focuses on skin color,but backgrounds, and bigger terms, and she acknowledges the big picture. this woman has earned my respect.

[@theGamingtrees]

Bella Blackmist I would kinda think that focusing on race was a bad thing. I think maybe she should've focused on the fact that the government can't choose where people live. This seems, in my opinion, to be the people who make the decisions fault. Or at least, it's not the governments fault.

[@uncle978]

So, basically I just cried this whole tedtalk. Thank you for validating our experiences and for fighting for the disadvantaged child.

[@diondredunigan2583]

@Sudhir Kakar You have to look at the root of those issues as well: racism, mostly, and lack of education is why those things happen in the first place.

[@gianniclaud]

the lack of compassion and empathy under this video is startling.

[@bluebirdredrobin6827]

Gianni Love not really. Whenever race in mentioned on channel, white people get upset and downvote the video

[@gianniclaud]

yeah i forget it's youtube sometimes. the dumpster of the collective subconscious.

[@CountChokcula]

its not a lack of empathy. its whats shes saying and shes receiving criticism for it. people generally dislike someone with stupid rationalizations.

[@gianniclaud]

CountChokcula um, last i checked - disliking anything indicates a lack of empathy and compassion.

[@CountChokcula]

Gianni Love where in the definition of empathy requires you to like or dislike something? it involves sharing the feelings of another and most people will not empathize with stupidity.

[@anneekellogg]

her passion is inspiring

[@joycewatt3443]

Anne Kellogg Yes it is! May God bless her to continue the fight!

[@DJAyt69]

Anne Kellogg My school said to young me that I am a failure and tried to make me wanna become a janitor but I refused and I’m going to own a huge business and fix all this and become the world’s greatest hero

[@wsa6491]

Excellent talk. Congratulations Kandice. I wasn't a Metco student but understand the value that Metco brings to those in the inner city of Boston. Intellectual talent is not localized to any one community or gender. The lack of opportunities is however a huge problem. I grew up with your parents and I am sure they are proud of the educator you have become. Wish you continued success in helping students fulfill their potential.

[@skyleruballe2265]

Aw man, that last part had me crying. Perfectly well said, the truth is here and this needs to be everywhere!

[@Ismayehere]

As a kid who went to school in Chicago, then moved to Nashville for a bit of high school, the differences were glaring and saddened me when I went back home and realized my friends weren’t even given a chance to succeed 💯

[@seppobastian]

Hello you random person on the internet. Have a nice day! :)

[@zuilok]

thank you :)

[@mattthegizmo]

seppobastian hello other random person on the internet! I hope you have a great day too

[@PortalStorm4000]

seppobastian You too other random people on the internet. : )

[@robbyrobber]

big boy here. 'fucking'

[@vince55sanders]

Thank You!! :) I sure was not expecting this pleasant of a top comment in here but nice supersize.

[@lizsmith3220]

Found your Talk researching equal access to education for my Human Services class and listening to you speak is so moving. The truths you speak combined with your passion is so inspiring. I of course have to include so many different points in my paper but this Ted Talk is all the information anybody needs.

[@sspddmon]

I'd much rather see education managed at the state level and the revision of the Federal Department of Education to be a forum for sharing ideas so that all 50 states can learn from one another. That way, the power to determine educational policies can be managed at a local level (empower the people to better themselves) and we can learn and borrow from 50 petri dishes instead of being told what the one-size-fits-all answer is from some federal agency hundreds/thousands of miles away. "It's not tyranny we desire; it's a just, LIMITED, federal government." - A. Hamilton

[@ROSITALJ]

Thank you for showing real love to the children and their future and our nation's future. Keep on speaking, keep on praying, let's keep on fighting! I really got what's in your heart. I have seen it myself.

[@jayarciga5880]

WOW , I can relate so much . I participated in GATE program when I was in elementary school & I credit that experience for why I am so ambitious today. I saw another world & I wanted a piece of it. I knew it was a different world from where I came from but I told myself I'd break away. It doesn't stop there though. Even when you do break away you look back in despair because you know well that you're leaving behind a whole community that has raised you. I still haven't figured out this dilemma entirely but i imagine it's a lifelong process. In the meantime I hold my roots with me everywhere life takes me.

[@liamennis4516]

I value my public education in the city more for the people I’ve met than the education I received. Granted I wasn’t a great student but I learned a lot about society and the people who surrounded me. I went to school with people who had wealth and also with people who lived in the low income apartments across the street from the school. To me it is a valuable lesson that I learned, and I appreciate my school for that.

[@marvinrichardson9180]

I thank you so much for delivering this message I'm 69 years old and the previous college student, and I know for a fact that throughout all of my years no true black history about our culture has ever been taught in the educational system that's why I feel it's important to be reformed, our young blacks need to know that we were inventors, great politicians

[@ConstitutionMattersMost]

I am so happy that people are donating to your class and it made a difference to your students perception of the world around them.

[@chelseaeverlyorman7153]

this video is required for my English Ed courses, and is now more important than ever. Thanks, Ms. Sumner.

[@mclovinstephano1091]

There are 3 reasons that American education sucks and Finland is one of the few nations that went out of their way to fix it. Also, their education system is considered the best in the world. 1. The first thing is that you have to be at the top 10% of your graduating class from college in order to become a teacher. 2. The second thing is that all teachers are paid approximately the same as doctors. 3. And the third and final reason Finland's education is the best is because K-12 never receive homework.

[@TheLivirus]

mclovin stephano Finland based their school system on the Swedish school system. Meanwhile, Sweden abandoned its working model and started experimenting with discipline and meritocratic schooling.

[@elmo76]

All wrong. These are myths. Teachers don't make nearly as much as doctors. They are respected, and they love their jobs though. And we get some homework, but discipline is not needed since children generally don't hate school.

[@mclovinstephano1091]

I may be wrong since I do not live in Finland, but I have heard the only homework given is unfinished classwork. I did some more research and will admit that I was wrong about their salary being equivalent to doctors, but it is still quite comparable at around 60-70% of a doctor's salary. Much better than the United States at around 25%.

[@DairiesofaDarkSkinBeauty]

mclovin stephano hmmm... something to research

[@phatmanjake4336]

EXACTLY..... I thought I was the only one who knew this😂😂

[@luciefitness]

I just clicked on the video and saw so many dislike so I went to the comment section and got surprised by the "hate" but I think at least it shows that people are interested by what she has to say. I miss the old ted talks too but like, people come here to increase the debate so we should be supportive

[@KamisKisses]

This made me cry. Quality Education for all.

[@MRLONG758]

in the first place All SCHOOLS , whether in the rich suburban areas or poorer inner cities should all have the same resources.

[@remyllebeau77]

And when they still don't have the same outcomes because the rich parents are buying extra things for their school? What if equal funding doesn't solve the massive problem of single parent households in poor communities (not to mention the bad attitude towards education)?

[@MRLONG758]

+Remy Lebeau are you seriously making an argument against all schools having the same resources. whether the outcome is the same or not all students should have the same opportunity to succeed. if they don't then at least you know it isn't your fault.

[@remyllebeau77]

I was asking serious questions that remain unanswered. The following is a few paragraphs selectively copied from a Washington Post article. "In general, wealthier towns and counties are able to raise more money through taxes to support their schools than poorer localities can. Many states have developed school-finance systems that send extra dollars to poorer areas in an attempt to mitigate those inequities. But the state aid is often not enough to make up the difference. Federal spending - including through Title I, money meant to bolster programs for poor children - is serving as an equalizer, according to the federal data. When federal dollars are included, just five states are spending less in their poorest districts than in their wealthiest. Nationwide, the average disparity drops from 15 percent to less than 2 percent. In 23 other states, students in the poorest school districts are getting more state and local tax dollars per pupil than students in the most affluent districts. The differences are biggest in Indiana and Minnesota, which respectively spend 17 percent and 15 percent more in their poorest districts than in the most affluent."

[@MRLONG758]

+Remy Lebeau +Remy Lebeau 1. I read your argument but it sounded like you were against equal opportunity that's why I responded the way I did. The issue of single parent households and attitude to education is a social issue that can only be dealt with with social programs. 2. the washing post article excerpt, If that was the case that cities and counties are spending just as much and even more in some cases in the poorer areas then why do you still have situations like the ones stated above in the video, I am sure it is not a one off situation. That shouldn't be the case then.

[@remyllebeau77]

+c4p0ne Ha, he's just a socialist complaining about socialist government schools. Cry me a freaking river.

[@DrCareyYazeedTV]

Thank you TED for sharing this Talk with us. There is a lot of disagreement in the comments about her topic, but she is spot on. The problem will never be resolved if we don’t talk about what is going on. Race and racism is, was and will continue to be an issue as long as we have people who are blind and believe that races isn’t an issue in this country. And all kids want to learn, but first we have to show them that we care and they deserve to be taught.

[@RambunctiousRegan]

Y'all don't like what she's saying because you know it's true.

[@riszmanraimy665]

Regan Allen its not 100% true. Thats what we dont like.

[@pussylord1095]

Riszman Raimy everything is black and white, there is no grey area

[@letthatsinkin4913]

A Dead Fish I'm sorry, that's not true. I can guarantee there have been things you liked part of but disliked other parts of.

[@RambunctiousRegan]

I mean from experience I've lived in different parts a predominantly black school and a predominantly white school.. and everything she was saying is completely true.

[@pussylord1095]

Eyball440 if a KZbin video isn't 100% true I don't mass dislike the video and throw a tantrum in the comment section.

[@JamesSchipper]

Made me cry when you said girl said "this one was so good!"" I really cried. (coming from a privileged "average white guy" from,the Merica....

[@DJAyt69]

My school said to young me that I am a failure and tried to make me wanna become a janitor but I refused and I’m going to own a huge business and fix all this and become the world’s greatest hero

[@MigueldeJesus]

I love the message, honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability of the message Kandice. Well done. Hopefully, this message will will be shared and resonate with those who want to make a difference and an impact on those who can! "Public Education, keeping Poor Kids Poor, since 1954"; quite a message for discussion.

[@courtneymoore2140]

I agree 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@nee-tennessee2626]

It definitely starts at home. As a parent, it is always my responsibility to educate my children. While I I am grateful to have access to public schooling; it is ultimately my responsibility to make sure that my children are well educated. Our 3 children went to highly rated suburban schools. I remember when my oldest son was in the 10th grade, he had a horribly incompetent geometry teacher; he complained about her every day. My husband and I nipped the complaining in the bud and explained that it was his responsibility to learn the material weather the teacher taught it or not. I begin to relearn geometry from KZbin videos so that I could help him with his homework. That same child graduated with honors and double biology degree from Harvard university. He then went on to earn a degree from North Western Law school. Both my husband and I are from the ninth Ward in New Orleans. We both graduated from the same horrible school system. We both went to college and had to begin with remedial classes because of the poor education we received. We vowed that would not be the story for our children and it has not been. There are wonderful schools and wonderful teachers, but kids thrive when their parents invest in their education.

[@coopersisters4]

humans are made to learn and love learning. having access to creative pursuits is crucial to the love of learning. story books, music class, theater, and arts and crafts. this will inspire our kids to love learning all kinds of things and give our future a chance.

[@brendanwilliams5362]

This isn't a black vs white issue, this is a poor vs rich scenario. Other than that I agree with the video.

[@letthatsinkin4913]

However, unfortunately, race often consciously or subconsciously alters someone's first thought of a potential client or employee, and prices and pay rise and fall with the color in their skin. So, all too often, poor vs rich *is* black vs white.

[@DampeS8N]

In the cities, where 80% of the people live, poor-black and rich-white are the same thing. This is, of course, a gross simplification of a more nuanced spectrum, but the overlap is large enough in these groups for anything that is imbalanced economically to also therefore be imbalanced racially. That's just how the numbers break down.

[@brendanwilliams5362]

I'm aware but it's not like just because their black they get access to less things, it's because there poor. I do agree with you that there is way more poor black proportionally. That being said however, what I'm getting at is that a poor white kid will get a back education just like a rich black kid will get a good one. In this situation there just in the wrong place due to the worlds racist ancestors.

[@DampeS8N]

Brendan Williams Racism is not JUST about hating a race. Sometimes it is about turning a blind eye to a problem because it doesn't affect you personally. The end result is still the same.

[@brendanwilliams5362]

William Brall With that logic unless I'm mistaken then that means people hate whites more since poor blacks get more aid than poor whites. which obviously isn't the case...

[@MattCo628]

The only reason poverty breeds poverty is the mentality it passes from one generation to the next. A black kid raised by parents with no real ambitions will grow up to have no real ambitions (this is not a racist generalization, it is the reality too many kids grow up in) It's for this reason I agree partly with Sumner's message, there are droves of poor, disproportionately minority schools across the country with few resources to educate kids to rise above their circumstances. Part of the solution is money being put into these places but another (and easier) is teaching kids to rise above their upbringing. This will at least encourage them to not end up in juvy and aspire to better rather than disregard what education they do have and potentially get into better secondary education.

[@amilycolon5142]

MTS Yes! I've heard so many people who come from wealthy, privileged backgrounds complaining about minorities being lazy, not ambitious enough, etc, failing to realize that most don't come from families who encourage them to succeed.

[@christinebuncic5998]

Evan, it's not people from wealth who necessarily succeed, it's people who come from backgrounds where their parents make them accountable,, & encourage them to learn, & also to help them when they fall back. To me, a underprivledged child is one, who does not have the backing of a responsible mature adult.

[@minecraftminertime]

That's not the only reason/ This video is talking about the other reason, because the kids can't be educated in poverty.

[@valchior4]

To asume black people lack ambition is the very essence of prejudice and racism. We are very aware of the necessity to push for better. It doesn’t make the traps of poverty and discrimination any easier.

[@truettadevil]

Thomas Jefferson and other slave owners said their slaves were lazy and lacked ambition. That mindset permeates elitist capitalists to this very day. It's called White Supremacy. Congrats.

[@cl5121]

S H A R E D "If your (child, loved one) goes to an affluent school, change your school committee to adopt an impoverished school or an impoverished classroom. Close the divide by engaging in communication and relationships that matter. When resources are shared, they're not divided. They are multiplied." On a micro level, if you're a human being, donate time, money, resources, opportunities, whatever is in your heart. What is a carpenter with no tools? What is an actress with no stage?What is a scientist with no laboratory? What is a doctor with no equipment. I'll tell you - they are my kids. Shouldn't they be your kids, too?" Kandice Sumner - Teacher

[@stephaniecarsten8715]

My school favoritised the rich kids who's parents were very good donators to the school's funds, charities, clubs, and supplies, but when it came to the children who had a family that couldn't afford the extra money for the school that they would use to chip in, they would absolutely toss the kid aside and not give them the help they need or would allow the others to do things that not all students should do within the school's rules and grounds. Which only makes bullying, order in school rules, and teaching a lot worse within the school system and for the students, even the gifted students as well. That only equals to no growth and real problem solving with the students and the education

[@kmarcol1]

Class and elitism

[@keelhe893]

Her speech was empowering but I cannot help to say despite any systemic issues or obstacles that are present... we as the black community must decide that education is important to us and not just wealth. We value money but not intelligence. Black communities have a lot of money, but we invest it in the wrong things and not our future “Children” We love our sons making it to the NBA or NFL but will let them drop out of college to make a million they can’t count but refuse to use their athletic abilities to educate them and so many other examples that we stress talents to be celebrities but not education or strong families

[@allisonschmitter8198]

This is the best Ted Talk I've watched thus far. Thanks for creating this speech and doing what you do. Very eye opening and informative.

[@PhantomBlue]

To fix education: 1. Get rid of the politics & corruption surrounding it so people who are part of the system don't play social politics at the expense of children and the people within the system can be held more accountable for the students having poor grades. Make the tests much more difficult with more variety and detail so children don't move on with ignorance. 2. Focus more on physical education, but remove any activities that do not benefit students in strength, flexibility, agility, hand-eye coordin, reflexes, and cooperation with others. Any exercise that challenge and improve the minds of students is especially important. Don't let students be weak and fat. Schools should have a physical therapist, so that students that have physical problems get help. 3. Have school end at kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYCac4CXbr16jqcm00s PM. This would help adults and should also be economically beneficial. Within that time add more study time. 4. Add two extra grades, 13th & 14th grade, so that more subjects and courses can fit. It makes no sense that people get out of high school so soon in their lives when there is so much that is needed to be learned. 5. Get rid of unnecessary course subjects that don't really help students stay healthy, informed about society and history, and more capable to go to college and have successful careers. Add more subjects and time for Financing, Economics, Business, Psychology, Logic & Reasoning, and Criminology so that students are more capable of surviving on their own and becoming a success, while also informing more about how the world works so they are less likely to become criminals or become victims of scams and other crimes. (It's about time scamming becomes less lucrative for criminals) 6. Make it mandatory for students to pass at least one course of like programming, manufacturing, engineering, etc, so students have more options when they reach adulthood. Also make it so they know how to fix common housing problems themselves so that they don't waste money unless they don't have time to fix things themselves. Then you have more people informed and capable, and the economy will shift and improve as a result.

[@davidb5205]

Only thing I want to disagree with is the "one course of manufacturing". That's a dying industry, employment-wise. Since 1980, manufacturing employment has decreased 30%, while output and productivity continue to rise and grow. Automation is replacing most of the jobs in that industry, not just NAFTA. We produce more than ever before, while needing less people to do the job. A welder that gets paid $25/hour can be replaced by a robot that costs $8/hour and will cost even less, at $2/hour in the future. And that robot will never ask for a lunch break or benefits. By the time we implement that course and those students graduate, it'll be a waste of time and they'll just have to retrain for another field.

[@thomascameron2612]

I would also like to add something. Find a way to give these children and young adults some real responsibilities. I know that for myself I only started succeeding after I left school and began providing for myself. I never did like school much. I am not sure how you would fit this in a curriculum, but I would argue that children and adults know the difference between a manufactured environment and a real one. Otherwise this I think is quite solid. I am just not entirely sure how you would implement it. It seems a little to good to be true. Of course different political ideologues would shortly take over the system for their own games and the gains of their larger movement. :/ How you stop that? I have no idea.

[@aveywilliams7761]

MonadoKnight I respectively and strongly agree with your response. I worked at the Boys & Girls Club for 5 years which was inside of neighborhood school. Where students stayed until 6 pm, Monday through Friday. Many of these students wouldn't not have primary success if they didnt have a "wrap-around" program like this one within thier school. This program fed, educated and provide club members with healthy objectives like excerise and healthcare intervention. A program as successful as this needs a community and national support. Now, once we step outside of a supportive network there will always be a nail within a group who refuses to be hammered down, by something that could actually work vs. something that will decrease a child's educational and overall life trajectory.

[@satinlacelifeunscripted]

Thomas Cameron

[@frostyholic8018]

There is a 13th grade called grade 12b.

[@AtLeastTryALittle]

Damn straight! Saying it like it is! As a behavioral psychologist I spend tons of time in schools from all different districts and I see the disparity between them first hand every day. The only 2 long term solutions would be to either make school funding occur in the federal level with a set amount given to each school for each student (adjusting only for student types i.e. special ed) rather than school funding coming from the local level which is what creates most of the resource gaps. Or, perhaps better yet we can invert the current system of funding so that the schools in the poorest neighborhoods get the most funding and resources while the schools in wealthy neighborhoods get the least since kids in impoverished home settings require more support from the school than the children in enriched setting who can obtain the resources they need in a multitude of other ways.

[@blueskies000]

why so much negativity in the comments though

[@joycewatt3443]

Negative people will "always" try to throw shade on your sunshine but nevertheless one MUST continue to shine! Let the haters hate!

[@airyowo]

john connolly Wow, that’s a lot of words for “I’m a racist piece of garbage”.

[@airyowo]

john connolly Nobody’s on “your dime”, your tax pennies mean nothing. But.. even if they were directly going to education for poor black children, why do you have a problem with that? 🤔🤨 See, a smart individual realizes that investing time and resources into children of all backgrounds makes for a diversely skilled, well educated society. A brainwashed fool like yourself can’t even begin to comprehend the butterfly effect that a poor educational system has on society as a whole. Get off the internet and go open a book, you fucking idiot.

[@1trueblackgod561]

@john connolly. Thank you Mr. Connolly for your scurrilous comment. I so like it when when people with your viewpoint leave comments because your comments ultimately reveal poor education and a rare ignorance.

[@thebig12conference73]

Navy vet here bless thsi wonderful woman I am not from the story teller's background. I am the son of two immigrants, but my mom is an educated professional from Germany and my dad was an educated working professional from Russia. This is why I am giving up a comfortable $250,000 engineering proj management job, to go back to BYU grad school so I could teach. The reason for it is I would like to give back because I was the beneficiary of a good public educational system. In the 2nd grade, i had a 6th grade vocabulary. I would like to give back to students from poor socio-economic backgrounds so I could do my part to give back and lessen the education achievement gap and increase equality and equity. The two are similar but not the same the first deals with all students being treated equally and resources are allocated the same. The second is resources are allocated, based on individual student need. This video helps reinforce what I am learning at BYU and I am glad they are taking the right steps, they need diversity classes so they are adding it to the curriculum. A few years ago, this class was unavailable at my school, this is an example of how things are changing, even at conservative religious private schools. Hopefully, I could find work and help out high school children by teaching English and coaching football, that would be my ideal dream job. Not everything is about money, I have enough to be comfortable and my fiancé is supportive. I hope to make an impact in my community. There are two types of public schools the 'haves and the have not" public schools. In the mind 90s I transferred to La Canada, an affluent area in La Canada Flintridge> it as a big deal that we had internet access, keep in mind, in the mid 90s. less than 5 miles down, if you go to John Muir, in Pasadena, their students were not worried about computer access. They were worried about not getting jumped going from school to home or home to school. I recognize I am fortunate and privileged to be in a position to continue my education. However, I recognize that privileged and would like to use that to my community's advantage in Las Vegas, and give back to the poor socio-economic communities, not enrich myself and my family. Before my dad passed he said 'I came to Russia to rase a family and a son, the right way, I am proud of the man you have become, and I can die at peace, a happy man.".

[@economicdevelopmentplannin8715]

Keep the high income job, and consider giving away all of it to black American families who themselves are seeking to escape working class, to help others too.

[@ThatPinkOne]

I've never had something resonate so much with me. As a Romani person I was ostracized by my peers and even a few racist teachers. And as someone with SLI, I struggled againt a system that was designed specifically around people like me being locked away and never allowed the chance to be educated. I would excell in class and in coursework but fail in exams becaue SLI affects my ability to articulate myself in such a small timeframe. Luckily I loved education and struggled to University; where exams are now 3+ hours long and most of my degree is assessed by coursework lab's. I'm excelling and predicted 1st's, but god it was a struggle. I can't how many times I cried myself to sleep as a kid CONVINCED I was failing because I was too dumb. Now I know that it's not me, but an outdated archaic system that only benefits the; white, neurotypical and rich.

[@trevader2562]

first of all, you say rich, good luck with that. we don't get paid bonuses because of the color of our skin, we just put the money to other things which will advance us, going into debt if needed, because of course, a degree will get you further (most of the time) than no degree. The real issue isn't with skin color, rich or poor, etc. the real problem is that some blacks don't believe that they can do any of the things they should be doing, so they don't. you seem like one of the uncommon (but not so rare) exceptions that stuck with college, plowed through it, and succeeded. good for you, let me just say that, not an easy thing. but do you think it was easier for your white classmates? you think they got some kind of "white privilege extra credit"? frick no, they did the same thing, plowed through, and got it done. it's not the color of skin, it's the drive to do something.

[@CountChokcula]

its not a race issues. its obviously a class issue. the school system is terrible but to place blame in an inconstant claim such was the "white, neurotypical, rich" makes no sense since literally anyone could succeed in this broken system. As an honors black student myself, in a MOSTLY BLACK community that goes to a half white/half black school. i can tell you that the school system is broken but school is easy.

[@heart_beat_s354]

Survivor's Guilt because of my education. That explains so much. In my city, a former Jim Crow town in Texas, the human color lines were quite clear in the 1990's and 2000's. Elementary school education was tested in middle school. My childhood classmates and I were bussed across town. I was 1 of 3 Hispanic students in a class of 20-25 students because my courses were honor classes. It was strange being separated from the kids I grew up it. There was a bit of culture shock as well. People spoke only one language. But my education was quality-like compared to the regular classes my childhood friends were taking within the same school. Then high school, I choose one a few blocks away from the middle school. My childhood friends went back across town to the local high school. State tests SCORES determined funding. My high school did well enough. My childhood friend's school did not do well. Why did the country, state and city make education this way? Thanks to this T.E.D. Talk. 14 public school years of my life and years, thereafter, were explained. Survivor's Guilt.

[@charlottepazos7213]

I wish there were more teachers like her.

[@Inputdonutz]

Once I moved to the "suburbs" I was mind blown by how different the schools were. Amazing

[@jaydblak4638]

Same.

[@whisperingsage]

My single mom taught us to read at 3 and 4 and used the public school as a babysitting service while she worked part time. She spent a lot if quality time with us. Why don't today's parents take responsibility. There are no longer quality schools. They are dictated to the common core by the NEA.

[@jennifermoore6321]

First....the obvious....her students are lucky to have her! She is clearly invested in her kids. Second.....I would LOVE to see her sit down with the likes of Thomas Sowell or Larry Elder for an open discussion on the matter. Sowell in particular has many YT videos that discuss education as it relates to poor, black kids. He sees Charter Schools as an excellent answer....and has the data to support his position in Charter Schools and Its Enemies. Charter Schools get less funding allocated than their local public school counterparts. And the best part....if the school fails, it looses its charter.

[@gaozy]

Great talk! Yes to building the future for all our children! Black, brown, and native lives matter :)

[@thomasbisignani1049]

Ashley Yang what no asians lives matter!!??!!

[@carl9939]

@Janessa Kelly But then again, she did say ALL children. lmao

[@airyowo]

Dra O They’ve always mattered!!! Stfu.

[@benjaminr8961]

Why do minorities hate Asians so much? Are yall just jelly of them?

[@bigbaba1111]

All lives matter, you racist dumbass.

[@purseforthepeople8157]

Kandice you are my hero! This is very very true and poverty insurance has to stop!

[@aaronmhowe]

Love this. There has got to be a way to stop funding public schools with property taxes.

[@rheinamacher1990]

No, public schools NEED and SHOULD be funded with property taxes.

[@stheisyvasquez6310]

she was my teacher back in high school, i love her ❤️🥺

[@galein77]

I am mexican I was educated in public schools my whole life and then I had the opportunity to teach math and science. It is completely clear to me that educational system tends to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. People who opine here are attacking base on racisim. You HAVE to be there and see and feel the reality.. It is overwhelming

[@lilbased8855]

Luis Mauricio Melendez Rosales Facts don't care about your feelings

[@galein77]

Narinder Randhawa I read cruelty in your comment which is the general sign of ignorace... I studied physics and sofware engineering and let me tell you ... being there and see the inequalities IS an experiment .. no theory ... no tables ... no data it IS the raw reality ...

[@josh2731]

Narinder Randhawa you are also ignoring all of the statistics they have done loads of studies on this and it is all well founded. in one study they tried to see how likely a person is to get an interview if they have a black sounding name. black names don't get called back for jobs. in another study they tried to explain why black people are disproportionately incarcerated for drug offenses and found that white people do just as much weed as black people. they also found that white people are more likely to use heavier drugs. using census data you can see that although black people are 2x more likely to live below the poverty line than white people, poor white people are 2x more likely to be on welfare than a poor black person. this disproves archetype of the lazy poor black person on welfare. they have also done studies on the racist tendencies of police departments and found black people targeted more often. The united Nations has deemed the policies of American police departments to be a human rights violation as well.

[@megang53]

I LOVE this woman so much! This video needs to be shown to everyone.

[@davidmizak4642]

You deliver excellent content to your audience. It's very interesting material. All of your effort put into creating this video is much appreciated. I'm truly grateful for your help!

[@bardlishthemagnifico]

I work in educaton. Now, granted, it isn't a black school but I think it is group that has a pretty good claim to oppression. It is on a Native American reservation. It is not about race. Period. It is not about the slave trade. It is about culture. Not the culture of black folk, not the culture of red folks, not the culture of white folks. It is the culture of poverty. Our education system restrains people who are socio-economically depressed and teaches them habits that funnel power and resources upward. Until we stop focusing on race and understand the dynamics we are talking about are all about class, we will continue to chase our tail.

[@imanuel4533]

I just simply love this woman... and her message x

[@tahirabibi4073]

She delivered her working experience in good way to us great lesson eye opening for other people 👏👏👏

[@elizabethe.5527]

Thank you for the shout out to DonorsChoice. Just donated to three projects and will continue to pick three monthly. 💕

[@TheDivineEmpresss]

I firsthand experienced this as well. I went to an arts school and a public school in my area. I saw the difference as well.

[@ShankarSivarajan]

Oh, the solution to all the problems described is fairly straightforward: School Choice. Allow students to choose their school, and let funding follow them. This is opposed by the Teacher's Union? Well, now we know what the problem _really_ is.

[@linkoln_sosias]

Shankar Sivarajan but everyone would choose the good schools and the other kids will still be left in the bad schools. the rich kids would pay to get into the better schools first

[@linkoln_sosias]

Shankar Sivarajan the solution is to adapt an education system that is similar to Finlands, the country which outshines every other in the world

[@veronicab1634]

That is not always the case. For example, in my county you are not allowed to choose the school you want to go to, it is determined by where you reside.

[@laptv2144]

You really don't know what this is like in practice. I've seen it first hand. I go to a wealthy school and we allow a small amount of inner city kids to be bused in. Very few of them care. The rest would rather fight than go to class. A better school doesn't change them. They and their upbringing, parents, and culture are the problem.

[@shauncameron8390]

America just isn't White enough for Finland's system.

[@avoice3390]

Candice is 100% correct and I am SO grateful that someone FINALLY spoke to this SO eloquently and succinctly. Thank you Candice!!!

[@benjaminr8961]

That was not succinct. She did not make anything approaching an argument. She just wined the entire time.

[@bitrudder3792]

A lot of factors go into a child's success or failure in school, and I noticed that this speaker found a way to encourage her students and how that made a big difference. I recently watched the series ''Undercover High'' and saw how a group of adults (masquerading as students for four months) had a profound and beneficial effect on their ''peers'' success and self-esteem because they were able to get to know the kids without being perceived as authority figures. Despite the various race and class issues that led to our current state of affairs, it is still true that education is more like lighting a fire than filling a bucket, so education that inspires and that shows kids HOW to teach themselves should be the primary goals. Teachers waste a lot of their precious time on bureaucratic busy work and achieving test outcomes. I’m horrified at how college professors are teaching our future educators that they need to be perpetually outraged by racist inequities, which has trickled down to create a youth culture that feels oppressed by everything, but only knows how to march and yell in helpless entitlement. They deserve a better narrative than that. They deserve to know that they can end poverty for themselves with their own choices, and that their choices matter. They need to be taught that the dark side of feminism is the sexual promiscuity culture that is a key part of the poverty triad. They need to know that some of the greatest American minds (Ben Franklin for example) was self-taught while he worked full-time, and that the method he used is accessible to anyone who can read and who has access to books. They need to know that it is almost impossible to stay poor if you finish high school, get a job, and wait until marriage to have kids...and if you don’t break any laws that could land you in prison. It is a lot harder to get out of poverty if you disregard any one or more of these. Kids need to know this. It’s a pretty simple recipe, and if combined with a lot of encouragement (the harder part, because it probably needs to be an individual process for a lot of kids with a lot of stress and risk factors at home) it could yield spectacular results. Money and resources help, and may be perceived as encouragement by some kids, but don’t assume it will do the trick for every child.

[@stefmon68]

Classist. Way to miss the point.

[@bitrudder3792]

@@stefmon68 - Not at all. You can’t legislate or buy your way out of this problem. You might ameliorate it a little bit but you will never attain excellence without proper mentorship. California has focused on social issues and now they have a 15% illiteracy rate, graduates that can’t read a simple sentence like we’re writing here. Now, if you want to go to a classist society, try going to where my husband is from which is Mexico. And if you want to see these principles in action, try going to A charter school in Houston, because these ideas work great on super poor kids from super poor families, and perhaps better because even at a young age they get excited about learning when their teachers inspire them to do so, And when their parents are motivated to get their kids into these schools. Some of the most brilliant minds in our nations history came from very poor upbringings, with very limited resources. A few good books can do wonders.

[@bhumphries1360]

Wow, this Ted Talk absolutely rocked me!! Thank you Ma'am for having the spine to say what MANY will not!!

[@captainwiggy4235]

The number one problem in public schools today, centers on unruly, disrespectful, violent and abusive students. I taught in the inner city for over 10-years. Every day, there were fights, and blatant disrespect from too many students. The number one problem with my underperforming kids was they were not read to by parents when they were children.

[@stayswervin554]

it always starts at home

[@Lahng_Blackduke]

@Captain Wiggy Have you considered that the problem may be you?

[@markmcgwiresbackne5705]

I'm really smart and it's not what I learned in high school and I didn't go to college., there was no philanthropy.. I read endlessly and worked , My interest was the markets, consumed them for 2 decades without ever having a conversation about them with others. Now I'm the back to back two time investor champion 2019-2020.

[@momentary_]

Honestly, it's not that hard to improve the quality of education in inner city schools. The problem isn't the education. The problem is the community and culture that the children live in. Change the culture or community and you can improve their academic performance. Unfortunately, a lot of the time the negative influence is their own family or friends. Inner city education is a deeper problem than just bad schools.

[@thomascameron2612]

Not really.

[@lziomek1]

Terrible point, you cannot change someone's culture. I am currently getting ready to graduate with my Master's in Education (MED) in Curriculum Development. Culture refers to someone's religion, race, ethnicity, family and so on. You cannot change someone's ethnicity, race, family members (parents, grandparents). I think you need to re- examine the definition of culture and than relate it back to what you posted. Peace. Brining community awareness of the benefits of education means you must study and relate to a specific culture. You will NEVER be able to change a communities' culture (background). You can however, integrate their culture and relate the importance of education to their culture and how it will improve or benefit their culture.

[@jakedee4117]

Ludicrous, culture changes all the time.

[@anthonyd9844]

I wish this were talked about more often, she hit the nail on the head!

[@icarusrex8897]

she's 100% wrong

[@Iyaz9000]

Sad to see the states of affairs

[@malizee2264]

THANK YOU!!!!! ❤❤❤ 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 I grew up in Philadelphia public schools and moved to the suburbs when I was 15 and I saw first hand the disparities and that was 20 years ago!!!😢

[@jamesperry2052]

EDUCATION STARTS AT HOME!!! PERIOD!!!

[@aimiesmith1095]

But is ENDS at SCHOOL! EXCLAMMATION POINT! Most parents do NOT home school so this presentation should not be that hard for your to understand!

[@volz519]

parents who are poor and have to work multiple jobs unfortunately often don't have the time to give their kids extra education at home.

[@jamesperry2052]

@@volz519 THIS IS WHY WE MUST PLAN FOR OUR CHILDREN BEFORE WE HAVE THEM!!! IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WORLD TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN...IT IS OURS!!! IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW!!!

[@yakarotsennin3115]

@@jamesperry2052 Absolutely true that low income aren't future orientated. However, that is just one factor of many that are intimately woven together in perpetuating poverty.

[@jamesperry2052]

@@yakarotsennin3115 HAVING CHILDREN OUT OF WEDLOCK BREEDS POVERTY!!! THIS IS THE MAIN REASON FOR POVERTY!!!

[@scotthofland8858]

In Texas, funding equality is not as much of a problem as it was before 1993 thanks to the various statewide school wealth sharing schemes that go by the name “Robin Hood” plans. One of the big issues now is poverty that is concentrated geographically. Unfortunately, tons of apartment complexes were built in Texas in the 1980s. When the economy collapsed those complexes were bought cheap by investors. Instant low-income housing. There was so much of this housing that it affected school enrollment and concentrated poor people in certain areas. That number of people has an impact on school culture.

[@Dellontra]

Beautiful speech! I cried! You explained flawlessly how I feel! I study criminology and gangs due to segregation and this was just amazingly put!

[@brodiejr4real]

This was powerful! Sadly enough the situation hasn't changed, at least not in Chicago.

[@awakelane6460]

Ms Candace Sumner... P 💥WERfull presentation! THANK u Ted

[@catherinefoote2043]

Parents in poverty are the keepers of their children’s future.

[@the_everafter]

I dont know... yeah im white but i dont think the system is against people of color, i grew up in a black and Vietnamese neighborhood. And yeah me and my family are...not middle class, the schools i went to even for the "smarter" kids were filled with kids that really didnt want to put forth the effort to learn, even the other white kids we were all poor and we knew it, the school i went to gave us mac books and a gigantic library and elmos and projectors and all the things we would need to learn easily but everyone destroyed the laptops, wrote all over books tore pages out burned them, the resources where there but the people I graduated with... didnt want to use them so i really dont think this is a race issue, its just that nobody expects anything from someone who starts at the bottom, you kind of have to fight your way to the top, first the children have to break away from the poor mentality and actually want to seek better for themselves, otherwise all the money i. The world being poured into the education system wont help

[@northbay4619]

Kandice, my kids attend an affluent school district that has all sorts of new books, exciting curriculum, music and art classes, etc. BECAUSE I PAY THE STATE'S HIGHEST PROPERTY TAXES. It's not about my kids being more deserving. It's about the fact that I AM WILLING TO PAY FOR IT. Truthfully, I am probably living beyond my means BUT that's the sacrifice I'm willing to make for my kids. Four months ago, I was actually living in the inner city. I lived in the inner city (Milwaukee) for nearly two decades so it's not like I don't know how the schools are like. Btw, I am also in education (in inner city schools) so I know exactly how this works. The reality is that MPS gets a lot of funding per student. The problem is that the money can't be used on those new books and new equipment you want because the children are performing so low that any funding or resources is used to flatten that curve. And it starts in the home. The problem is in the home. The majority of parents just don't care and they aren't setting good examples for their child to get excited about school. They are depending too much on schools to be both parent and educators. Unfortunately, this is bad news for the few parents who do care. They have no choice but to send their children to schools in my neighborhood as soon as the opportunity arises. And while I get where you're coming from, YOU ALSO HAVE TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT PARENTS GET WHAT THEY PAID FOR OR WHAT THEY DON'T PAY FOR. And that is fair, even it means the children who were born to them didn't ask for it. I don't apologize for my views. I am making huge sacrifices. Paying huge taxes that directly pay for teachers' salaries and the upkeep of the school. So "no", I am not sorry if your kids can't all attend my school district. Their parents have to make sacrifices like me if they want to get in. You can't just get by asking people like me to pity you.

[@madmikeX3]

Education begins at home. What you instill in your kids is what makes them. It's not the system that defines them.

[@samarth.patel21]

MadMikeX3 but when they grow up most of their home become school in today’s world

[@autumnwheeler6495]

I truly feel like the solution to this is school choice. I know many folks disagree on this, but to me it seems unreasonable to trust a corrupt government to fix the problems of the education system, when history has consistently shown us that they won't, nor do they have any incentive to.