- Evanston offers Algebra 2, pre-calculus, AP calculus and an English seminar in what is called AXLE – Advancing Excellence, Lifting Everyone
- They also offer GANAS – from a Spanish phrase meaning “give it all you've got” – for black and Latino students
- Civil rights advocates have spoken out against the programs and believe they may violate federal law
Civil rights advocates have spoken out against an Illinois high school's program to racially segregate the school's math and English classes in an effort to raise the scores of black students.
The attorneys add that the program at Evanston Township High School — a majority-minority school with only 44 percent white students — may also be illegal.
Evanston offers Algebra 2, pre-calculus, AP calculus and an English seminar in what is called AXLE – Advancing Excellence, Lifting Everyone – and GANAS – from a Spanish phrase meaning “give it all you've got” – for black and Latino students.
According to the school board, part of the school system's purpose is: “Recognizing that racism is the most devastating factor contributing to decreased student achievement, ETHS will strive to eliminate the predictability of academic performance based on race.”
While Superintendent Marcus Campbell said the program provides students of color “a different, more familiar environment for kids who feel very anxious about being in an AP class,” others see it as undermining civil rights gains .
The attorneys add that the program at Evanston Township High School — a majority-minority school with only 44 percent white students — may also be illegal.
The program “does not distinguish between mandatory and optional activities” under Title VI, argues William Trachman, a former official in the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.
Title VI law prohibits racial discrimination by federally funded programs.
“There's no way this could pass law if someone were to sue,” said civil rights law expert David Bernstein Free beaconadding that it was “blatantly unconstitutional.”
The programs, which students can voluntarily sign up for, began piloting in 2019, though the school has not yet released results or statistics on whether they are having any effect.
The Wall Street Journal reported that 105 students are participating in the GANAS program, while another 86 students are taking the AXLE courses.
Students, who have not been identified, testified that they get something out of the classes.
“I feel like I'm representing myself and not the entire black race in this AP class,” said an AXLE class alum.
Taya Kinzie, pictured, is the principal of the school that offers racially segregated math and writing classes, which civil rights advocates have warned may be illegal
'It's a safe space. In AP classes that are mostly white, I feel like if I answer wrong, I'm representing all the black kids. I remain silent in those lessons.'
During the 2021-2022 school year, 8 percent of white AP testers earned a three or higher, while only 61 percent of Latino and 48 percent of Black test takers did as well.
Getting a three on those tests is usually the minimum requirement for credits.
“I feel accepted for the first time in a long time,” said a student in the GANAS program who said she was half Latina.
However, beyond the potential legal ramifications, a racial equity consultant who has worked for the school for more than a decade admits that it would be ideal if they were no longer needed in the future.
“The ultimate goal is not to have an affinity section of algebra,” Glenn Singleton said. 'The point is that there is no inequality.'
No lawsuit has reportedly yet been filed against these programs, which are also used in liberal outposts like Minneapolis, Seattle, San Francisco and Oakland.
Federal anti-discrimination laws prevent public schools from segregating students based on race so they may face challenges in the future.