With just 52 percent of in Miami-Dade Black third graders scoring a 3 or higher on Reading FCAT compared to 84 percent of White and 67 percent of Hispanic students in 2009 according to the Florida Department of Education statistics, the Urban League of Miami’s Development Revolution sees the need to help tackle the problem.

The Urban League wants Liberty City families to know that their children can pass the test, with a little support from them. The League has launched a community-wide campaign to encourage parents and caregivers to contribute to their children’s success on the standardized test, launching a billboard advertisement in the heart of Liberty City, working directly with Dr. Henry W. Mack/West Little River Elementary School to develop activities that encourage parents to help their children prepare for the tests, which begin Tuesday, March 9.

The 14' x 24' billboard, with the message: "FCAT, Yes We Can!" -- is located on the corner of 62nd Street and 7th Avenue in Miami.

“The Black community has spent years fighting the FCAT,” said Urban League of Greater Miami president T. Willard Fair. “Now it’s time to focus on making sure all our kids pass it. The test isn’t going anywhere.”

The Department of Education statistics also found that among Miami-Dade 10th graders, just 53 percent of White students scored a 3 or above on the Reading FCAT, but the percentage dropped to 33 percent for Hispanic and just 16 percent for Black students. In math, 90 percent of White 3rd graders scored a 3 or above on the FCAT in 2009, versus 79 percent of Hispanic and 64 percent of Black students, while for 10th graders, 83 percent of White, 68 percent of Hispanic and 50 percent of Black students scored a 3 or above.

And while Fair points out that statewide, overall test scores for students of all ethnic groups have improved in recent years, “we can and must do better,” he says. “Getting our children educated and prepared for both college and life is the primary responsibility of the adults in our community. It’s time we all stepped up to that responsibility.”

Here are some tips the League is providing to parents as they gear up for the FCAT:

1. Make sure children get a good night’s sleep every night before the test. Studies show children who get 8-10 hours sleep are more alert, and do better on tests than kids who sleep less.

2. Feed your children a good breakfast on test morning, and every morning. Those who need assistance, or who think they may qualify for free breakfast, can contact their school or the Urban League at 305-696-4450 for help.

3. Read to children frequently, to spark their interest in learning, including reading books, or even the newspaper with them. When children see the adults around them taking an interest in learning and in current events, they’re more likely to take an interest, too.

4. Help children boost their vocabulary by engaging them in conversation. A simple chat about the events of their day gives kids an opportunity to improve their communication skills.

5. Encourage and support your children, grandchildren, and all the children you know. Kids respond to knowing that the adults around them believe in them and are excited about their achievements.

For more information, or to join the Development Revolution, contact the Urban League of Greater Miami at 305.696.4450 or log onto miamiurbanleague.org.

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“Look, I am no dead-beat dad, but if I’m not working, how can I give her money for the children?” asked Rudie, a young man standing outside a Miami court, awaiting a child-support hearing.

Desreen, the mother of three who took Rudie to court, said she had no financial support from him “for well over a year,” although the court authorized him to pay child support early last year. She said she had no choice but to take him to court. “I filed the case against him over six month ago, and today is the first time the case has been called. It’s very frustrating.”

This frustration caused from delays in child support cases, has become commonplace in Florida.

According to reports from Tallahassee, the state’s family court system is choked with child support cases. As the state’s economy continues to struggle, more fathers are finding it difficult to support their children, and more mothers have turned to the courts to force the fathers to pay support.

On the other hand, fathers like Rudie, who have child support court orders but can’t pay the amounts ordered, are also trying to have the courts review their cases.

Mothers like Desreen, who are trying to get court appointed child support, have to wait some six months to get a hearing; and parents trying to get court ordered payments modified because of wage cuts or unemployment, have to wait up to three months. A year ago both legal processes took three to six weeks to be heard, the reports say.

With the demand from cases for child support growing, court officials in the state are clamoring for additional staff – a demand that is unlikely to be fulfilled with the state strapped for cash.

Laticia Moss, a Fort Lauderdale social worker says the situation is grave. “Children in South Florida are suffering because mothers are not getting support, and can’t get the court to enforce support fast enough. Fathers who cannot afford the amounts the court has set are also having a hard time getting their case modified so they can pay less.”

Fathers seeking to have their child support payments reduced have doubled across the state since 2006, the reports state.

Rudie says he wants his case reviewed because “It’s very hard on me.” He adds that since he couldn’t make court-authorized child support payments his driver’s license was suspended. “Now, I have no ID to get a job. If I can’t get a job, I can’t pay anything.”

Attorneys verified that a consequence of not paying court approved child support can be suspension of one’s driver’s license. Other possible consequences are garnishment of salary and bank accounts, and, because not paying child support is considered a “flaw in one’s moral character,” it can be a deterrent in getting citizenship approval.

While established attorneys and legal-aid organizations can help in child support or for modification of child support cases, it is the court system that has to consider these requests. So, unless the state court system can find ways of alleviating the current bottleneck without increasing their paid staff, people like Rudie and Desreen must exercise patience for their respective requests to be heard by the courts.

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Mayor Shirley Gibson and the City Council of Miami Gardens are joining the Haitian American Lawyers Association in presenting a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) application drive on Saturday March 6, 2010 from 10:00AM – 4:00PM at Miami Gardens City Hall, 1515 NW 167th Street, Building 5, Miami Gardens.

Because of the recent earthquake and devastation in the country of Haiti, Mayor Gibson, and the City Council are inviting Haitian National residents of the City and Miami-Dade County that are seeking TPS to come out and speak with members from the Haitian Lawyers Association and other volunteers about the necessary requirements and documents needed to apply for TPS in the U.S. Application fees may vary depending on age and work permit status, the TPS application process is $50, biometric fee $80 and work authorization fee is $340.

The following required documents must be presented to receive on-site assistance:

• Birth Certificate, Passport, or Baptismal

• Two Color Passport Style

• Social Security card (if

• Driver License (if

• I-94 (if any)

• Work permit (if any, even if expired)

In addition to the above documents, applicants are must bring proof of continuous Physical Presence (living) in the U.S. since January 12, 2010, examples include but not limited to; Lease or rental agreement, Bank statements, Telephone, Cable or Electrical bills, Check stubs or a notarized affidavit from employer, or Affidavit from attending Church stating the dates of membership. School and medical records can be used to establish Physical Presence for children.

1. Be a national of Haiti

2. Arrived in the United States on or before January 12, 2010

3. Have continuously resided in the United States since arrival

4. Have not been convicted of any felony or received two or more misdemeanors in the U.S.

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You might not have cashed in on last summer’s Cash for Clunkers program, but the federal government is giving another chance to say out with the old and in with the new, while saving the environment.

Cash for Clunkers, which was highly successful, promoted getting rid of older gas-guzzlers, and subsidized the cost of new fuel-efficient vehicles. Similarly, the Cash for Appliance program encourages people to get rid of their old appliances and replace them with energy-efficient ones, as well as encourage recycling.

While the program differs from state to state, Florida and Georgia are offering discounts on certain items that meet the Energy-Star ratings.

Not only will Florida consumers get 20 percent discount on six types of Energy-Star rated appliances – tank-less water heaters, room air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, dish washers, and freezers – there is also a $75 bonus to ensure that buyers recycle their old energy inefficient appliances they replace.

The bonus, according to program coordinator, Brenda Buchan, is to encourage people to properly dispose of their old appliances rather than keeping them. She said, “We are trying to encourage energy efficiency, water conservation and recycling.” She added that they set the amount large enough to ensure that consumers don’t leave money on the table.

But don’t think word-of-mouth will ensure that you get the extra $75. Consumers will have to show proof in form of a receipt from a store or certified disposal facility or landfill.

So, if you’re getting a new washing machine, dishwasher, tank-less water heater, the discount is available, but you would have to make your purchase within the 10-day window from April 16-25, coinciding with the state’s Earth Day activities, to take advantage of the discount.

Florida received $17.6 million, the fourth highest, in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for the program.

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