‘The few times we would speak up, we’d quickly be shut down.’ — These students used their graduation speeches to expose their charter school’s alleged misdeeds.
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Tuhfa Kasem to WXYZ Detroit: Students are no longer going to stay quiet and tolerate what they’re doing.
Two salutatorians accused Detroit’s Universal Academy of putting profits ahead of students’ educational needs and of firing 8 teachers who advocated on behalf of students. The school’s CEO had the mic cut during the 2nd speech.
Location: Universal Academy, Detroit
Tuhfa Kasem, Universal Academy graduate: Problems stemming back to the first time I’ve stepped foot in this school. Favoritism and clear biases towards our sister school Star. Thinking we’d just stay quiet and accept it as first-generation Yemen/Iraqi students. […] The few times we would speak out, we’d quickly be shut down and excuses would be shoved down our throats and we’d be given no option but to accept them. And I’ll give this administration props for the one thing they’re good at, which is switching the problems back on the students.
Tuhfa was one of 3 students who were tied for valedictorian.
Tuhfa Kasem: I originally wrote this speech a week ago as valedictorian but I’m here speaking as Salutatorian after this spot was wrongfully and knowingly robbed from me along with my friend Zainab by the administration with the short notice of just two days. Having three students with the same exact grades but giving the position to one instead of all three. This is a recurring issue that happens annually.
Zainab Altalaqani: To sum it up, I have put nothing short of my best for four years. But then today, I am not presented with a valedictorian speech. This is a salutatorian one because me and Tuhfa Kasem who is sitting right there. [Cheering] — giving us excuses as to why we weren’t given valedictorian spot, all of which made absolutely zero sense. But that’s how the school operates. Like a machine, it runs out of excuses and lies, all of which are — [Cheering].
The students said the school used long-term substitutes to save $$.
Tuhfa Kasem: The hiring of unqualified teachers on a regular basis and long-term subs who tend to overstay what is deemed legal. Trying to trick the system by switching off two teachers every couple of weeks thinking we wouldn’t notice what they’re trying to do under the radar. And when we’d voice our frustrations on the lack of education we’re receiving as students, we’d get quickly shut down with there being a statewide issue with a need for teachers. And while that may be true — can you give me an explanation on why you can’t seem to keep any of the certified teachers that actually do come to this school?
Crowd: Higher the volume! We can’t hear the salutatorian speaking!
Tuhfa Kasem to WXYZ Detroit: Them cutting off the mic was like a message on its own.
Reporter to WXYZ Detroit: What does it say?
Tuhfa Kasem to WXYZ Detroit: That they don’t want what’s going on there to be heard.
In 2016, the school fired 8 teachers who had advocated for students. The U.S. labor board charged the charter co. with unlawful termination. The case was settled out of court & the school paid the teachers $106k.
#School #Education #Graduation
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