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Tracy has one child, Khaliah Clanton. Sh participates in the Opportunity Scholarship Program and attends Montessori Elementary School. "When I first moved into the area, I knew there were two schools Khaliah could go to. I picked the one closest to our house – Spencer Bibbs. I went to the school and looked around. It didn’t look like a safe environment. The kids just ran around pretty much free to do what they wanted. It was loud and noisy. I don’t understand how anyone can learn, or even hear what the teacher is saying when there is so much commotion going on." "The other school was a magnet school but there was a waiting list and deadlines, which had already passed. So, that school wasn’t really an option." Instead of sending her daughter to Spencer Bibbs, Tracy sent her daughter across town to live with her mother and attend Weis elementary school. "They couldn’t keep her attention. They couldn’t keep her focused. They wanted to blame it on her having learning disabilities, her needing medication." "When I questioned why the classrooms were so noisy, why they were listening to hip-hop music during quiet times, I was told by a Caucasian teacher that she was just a babysitter and that it was my job to teach Khaliah at home." "When I would question these things, people would say, ‘what do you expect look where you live.’ But that just isn’t right for my child to not get an education. You send your children to school and you expect them to learn." "Once I got her into Montessori, She didn’t have those problems. The teaching method fit Khaliah. They work hands-on. They read from books and then they’ll do it." "I was surprised to walk in the class and you could hear a pin drop. They have discipline but the punishment is more constructive. The kids are not just scolded. They have to take ownership of their own behavior. If they do something wrong, there will be a consequence." "I get such overwhelming support from the school. Whatever it takes to make the kids learn, they will do it." "Khaliah is more motivated. I used to have to drag her out of bed to go to school. Now, even if she’s really sick, she wants to go to school." "Sometimes when you are one of the only African Americans, you don’t get accepted. But I have had great support. My daughter has more birthday party invitations than ever." "I am so grateful that I was given a choice. I feel that having a chance to choose a school for my daughter has made a tremendous difference in her life."
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