for a student to transfer to our school
credit deficient,
but when Corey showed up
and won all of his peers and teachers over
we wondered
what was Corey's story.
Last Thursday he and I sat
in the scheduling office
looking at his transcript.
I asked him what happened,
and charming Corey
retreated deep within himself,
started to rock, and rubbed his arm.
He didn't want to talk about it.
I pressed the issue.
"It's because my mom...she..."
The un-named pain was overwhelming.
We sat there, helpless,
hot tears streaming down our cheeks.
He didn't have a ride.
He's not ready for counseling.
Everything's ok now.
My mind went to other students:
I have lost four girls to prostitution;
Five boys have been killed this year.
Street drugs are poverty's opiate.
Parents are not exempt.
I just want to be clear:
the achievement gap
is purely a societal issue.
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