Brown v. Board Activities Accomplishments-Activities Seven

Location:

Reverend Illinois Senator James T. Meeks, CEO
Mrs. Debra P. Miller, Principal
Salem Christian Academy
11816 South Indiana Avenue 60628

With the assistance of Ms. Lillinita Bell, a fourth-grade teacher at Salem Christian Academy (SCA), Mrs. Ollie McLemore, Executive Director of the Illinois Commission on the 50 th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education developed a four-and-one-half-day intensive Staff Development/In-Service training for parents, faculty, staff, and administrators. There were approximately 40 adult participants and more than 500 students involved. Students included those at nursery level 3 (three years-olds) through 8 th. grade. Reenactment of Brown Salem Christian Academic Students and Mrs. Ollie McLemore

Reenactment of Brown Salem Christian Academic Students and Mrs. Ollie McLemore

The activities culminated in a two-hour general assembly, which highlighted a re-enactment of the trial of the Brown case in Kansas. (Please visit our website:

Reenactment of Brown: Salem Christian Academic Students to view this performance adapted and directed by Ms. Sandra McKinley SCA ’s 8 th grade teacher.

The following efforts were made in order to manage the academic aspect of the program:

(a) A comprehensive Brown v. Board of Education curriculum was developed. It included a mission statement as well as information linking it to state academic standards. This week of staff development and in-service training included the utilization of a curriculum handbook that specified day-by-day objectives, core activities, teaching materials, and teaching strategies for use across the curriculum. Additionally, specific teaching strategies were developed to enhance the students’ learning skills and to address specific learning modalities in order to meet the academic needs of the students ranging from primary to junior high levels. Core academic subjects were organized and taught for maximum learning at the various grade levels.

(b) A system of assessments was developed to be administered at routine intervals. These were designed to diagnose the specific academic skills, strengths, and weaknesses of each student. Also, a specific written plan of action was developed for the remediation of students in need of additional support, as well as a plan of acceleration for students achieving above norms.

(c) A model was developed for teachers and the administrators that included outcomes and expectations relative to the Brown v. Board of Education Unit, (e.g., the maintenance and organization of classrooms and other learning environments).

(d) A system of professional development was created for faculty and staff that would ensure that students are knowledgeable about the foundations and the principles of the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education. The instructors were given the opportunity to develop an awareness of how this school’s philosophy and best practices must relate to Brown in order to provide instruction that will result in high student achievement.

(e) Teachers utilized a Brown v. Board of Education manual that specified professional expectations related to in terms of teaching, assessment, discipline, classroom management, and participation in professional development activities, both inside and outside the school. Professional development activities for teaching staff included, but are not limited to, the following:

The culminating activity for Salem Christian Academy , “The 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education – Brotherhood Week Lasts All Year,” featured music, oration (communicated in Spanish and Sign language, as well as in English), drama, poetry, and dance. This was the opening activity for the school’s recognition of Black History Month. In addition to specially selected songs and dances, Ms. Sandra McKinley adapted and directed a re-enactment of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court trial.

Supreme court decision outcome "Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal"

The outcome of this case in Topeka , Kansas , declared that the … doctrine of “separate but equal” has no place ... separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. Eighth-grade students, dressed in black robes and other costumes representing the dress of that period, performed on stage. These young actors captured the intensity, the spirit, and the resolution of the Brown legal team as they argued for justice.

Though under tight time constraints, the students quickly learned their parts for participation in this two-hour program. Not only did these students act, they also took on the designing of the set while other classmates took charge of operating the audio/visual equipment(s). The audience, consisting of students, parents, faculty, and staff, sat spellbound during the performances.

Mrs. Ollie McLemore, Executive Director of the Illinois Commission on the 50 th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, listed below developmental processes that she would implement if this Commission were to continue for another year. Specifically, Commission members might do the following: