A Conversation with Boston Superintendent Carol Johnson

 

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Basic Black Live: Politics, Scandals, and Legacies

Basic Black Live: Politics, Scandals, and Legacies

Basic Black


May 17, 2013

In the headlines this week:  a discussion of the Boston mayor's race and how communities of color are poised to make their coalitions heard.  Also, this is not the first time the IRS has come under fire for targeting political activity; we'll take a look at the IRS, the NAACP and the black church.


Basic Black Live: Politics, Scandals, and Legacies

Basic Black Live: Politics, Scandals, and Legacies

Basic Black


May 17, 2013

In the headlines this week:  a discussion of the Boston mayor's race and how communities of color are poised to make their coalitions heard.  Also, this is not the first time the IRS has come under fire for targeting political activity; we'll take a look at the IRS, the NAACP and the black church.


Basic Black Live: What can we learn from Charles Ramsey?

Basic Black Live: What can we learn from Charles Ramsey?

Basic Black


May 10, 2013

Earlier this week, Charles Ramsey of Cleveland, Ohio rescued three women and a six year old who had been held captive by his neighbor for a decade.  But it was the interview Ramsey gave to a reporter on the scene that day that made him an internet sensation.  Within hours, he was trending on Twitter and the subject of numerous autotune creations.

But Ramsey's two minute interview (and the later released call he placed to 911) grew into a larger examination of race, class and the media.  The stories of the abducted women has rightfully taken center stage, but questions about Ramsey's introduction to the world media remain.  This week on Basic Black, what can we learn from Charles Ramsey?

Basic Black Live: What can we learn from Charles Ramsey?

Basic Black Live: What can we learn from Charles Ramsey?

Basic Black


May 10, 2013

Earlier this week, Charles Ramsey of Cleveland, Ohio rescued three women and a six year old who had been held captive by his neighbor for a decade.  But it was the interview Ramsey gave to a reporter on the scene that day that made him an internet sensation.  Within hours, he was trending on Twitter and the subject of numerous autotune creations.

But Ramsey's two minute interview (and the later released call he placed to 911) grew into a larger examination of race, class and the media.  The stories of the abducted women has rightfully taken center stage, but questions about Ramsey's introduction to the world media remain.  This week on Basic Black, what can we learn from Charles Ramsey?

Basic Black Live: What can we learn from Charles Ramsey?

Basic Black Live: What can we learn from Charles Ramsey?

Basic Black


May 10, 2013

Earlier this week, Charles Ramsey of Cleveland, Ohio rescued three women and a six year old who had been held captive by his neighbor for a decade.  But it was the interview Ramsey gave to a reporter on the scene that day that made him an internet sensation.  Within hours, he was trending on Twitter and the subject of numerous autotune creations.

But Ramsey's two minute interview (and the later released call he placed to 911) grew into a larger examination of race, class and the media.  The stories of the abducted women has rightfully taken center stage, but questions about Ramsey's introduction to the world media remain.  This week on Basic Black, what can we learn from Charles Ramsey?

Basic Black Live: History in the Headlines

Basic Black Live: History in the Headlines

Basic Black


May 3, 2013

Tonight on Basic Black history in the headlines: a report this week concluded that for the first time ever, black voter turnout surpassed that of white voters.  We'll look at the national and local implications.  And in sports, NBA player Jason Collins revealed he is gay; as the first professional athlete to do so, it's history, but is it news?



(Photo: Jason Collins.  Kwaku Alston for Sports Illustrated.)

Schedule

Friday
5/24/13 7:30 PM
WGBH 2
Saturday
5/25/13 8:00 AM
WGBH World
Saturday
5/25/13 5:00 PM
WGBH World
Saturday
5/25/13 11:00 PM
WGBH 2
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As the economy puts a squeeze on education budgets, the superintendent of Boston Public Schools, Carol Johnson, faces the challenge of saving money while improving academic opportunities for nearly 57,000 students.

"In order to maintain our commitment to closing the achievement gap and ensuring the success of all students, we are going to have to make some tough choices. We have to identify major reductions, and we are committed to doing so with the least possible impact on classroom teaching and learning," said Johnson in a press release, recounting her meeting with the Boston School Committee in February 2008. She spoke of a $32 million shortfall for the $782.9 million budget for fiscal year 2008, resulting from inflation and declining government help.

Johnson talks about her goals for the Boston public school system and the challenges that she faces.

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