PBS: "Too Important To Fail" Video

My school principal just sent a link to this amazing video, Too Important To Fail, to our school staff.   The video is powerful. It is a MUST watch if you work in an urban school. 

You can watch the video below or on the PBS website.  There are also related clips and web extras. 

                                                     Watch the full episode. See more Tavis Smiley.


Too Important to Fail is about how schools are failing African American males and students of color and how schools can help them succeed.  

Tavis Smiley interviews children, teens, teachers and other individuals in education about what can make a difference for African American males and students of color. 

When talking to one of the teens, Smiley asks what kind of guys he hangs out with. The teen responds that he hangs out with other students who plan to go to college.  Smiley states,"The only way to get somewhere is to hang with people who are going somewhere." 

Something that really hit home for me was when teens in a juvenile probation were talking about traumatic experiences they faced at a young age such as parents being arrested, siblings or other family members being killed, and witnessing shootings. Too Important to Fail shows the importance of facilitating groups on topics related to grief and loss and incarceration.

Too Important to Fail has helped me realize how the groups and lessons that I facilitate can help empower and support African American males. Even our Career Café program supports these efforts by helping students see a connection between school and career. This video has also reaffirmed my desire to start a mentoring program at our school.

Too Important To Fail: Saving America's Boys is also available in an eBook format. It is $2.99 in the Kindle Store. I just purchased it and it is great to have all of the statistics and information in print! I can't wait to share information from this book with other educators I work with.

What ideas did you gain from this video about how you could empower and support African American males at your school? Comment below, tweet, or contact Danielle, share on the School Counselor Blog Facebook Page!

Danielle is a K-12 Certified School Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and blogger at School Counselor Blog, a place where school counselors share innovative ideas, creative lesson plans, and quality resources.  Connect with Danielle via email, follow her on twitter, add her on LinkedIn or Google+, and become a fan of the School Counselor Blog Facebook Page.




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