Professors discuss the past and current state of K-12 public education

ivory toldson bettina love
Dr. Ivory A. Toldson, the national director of Education Innovation and Research for the NAACP, professor of counseling psychology at Howard University and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Negro Education, and Dr. Bettina L. Love, an award-winning author and the Athletic Association Endowed Professor at the University of Georgia, joined “Closer Look” to discuss several educational-related topics, including the current state of K-12 public education and the systemic gaps that exist between Black and white students. (Photos courtesy of Dr. Ivory A. Toldson and Bettina Love)

Bettina L. Love, an award-winning author and the Athletic Association Endowed Professor at the University of Georgia, says that education is the hallmark of democracy.

Love, a guest on Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” was joined by Dr. Ivory A. Toldson, the national director of Education Innovation and Research for the NAACP, professor of counseling psychology at Howard University and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Negro Education.

The two scholars talked with program host Rose Scott about several educational-related topics, including the current state of K-12 public education and the systemic gaps that exist between Black and white students.

Professor Love also explained some of the barriers that the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the Race to the Top initiative created for students of color.

“Black children don’t pass, they are thrown away,” explained Professor Love. “Black teachers try to even live up to these standards, they going to jail.”

Toldson further discussed the impact that COVID-19 is having on education.

“We learned that children can learn at home,” said Toldson. “We’ve learned so much and I just hope that we take those lessons learned and radically change education.”