Diverse Charter Schools Coalition’s Post

Today marks the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education which struck down racial segregation in America's public schools. But want to know a dirty little secret? By 1965, seven states had enacted private school voucher programs (or "school choice") as a way to avoid desegregation. Over the years they have grown to 26 states with the support of anti-government activists, Christian fundamentalists, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and others so that "...today most white students attending private schools remain in virtually segregated schools – schools where students of color represent only a token portion of the student population..." This is why vouchers are a racial justice and church-state separation issue. Read more below at Americans United for Separation of Church and State: https://lnkd.in/g4xx6MxG

Check out my article on why more progressives like me ought to support community based and led charter schools as one of the tools to make public education work for all students and families. Any model of public education that works needs to be supported, charter, traditional district, magnet, community, renaissance, lab, intradistrict and interdistrict choice, etc. We are losing another generation of students arguing about and with adult special interests and our children don't have the luxury to wait decade after decade for proposed change that never happens or never addresses the root causes of systematic failure for the masses of students, especially Black, Brown and working class. #EdWoke https://lnkd.in/gTh2YzSG

Today, the Biden Administration is calling on states, cities and towns, and schools to cultivate a “culture of attendance” and send a clear message that students need to be in school. 🏫 At this morning's Every Day Counts Summit at the White House, the Director of the Domestic Policy Council of the United States, Neera Tanden, referenced the new Digital Backpack 🎒 created by the National Partnership for Student Success Hub; a set of “Resources to Address Chronic Absenteeism in Your Community,” that includes a curated set of publicly available resources, including a selection of Examples In Action (spotlights with information on how districts have worked to address chronic absence in their communities). One of these spotlights is the successful relationship between our AmeriCorps Promise Fellows and Minneapolis Public Schools (utilizing the Check & Connect: A Comprehensive Student Engagement Intervention model!) Check it out (pun intended 🤣)! ServeMinnesota Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan https://lnkd.in/e4W_pha4

What factors make a diverse charter school successful? Sonia C. Park, executive director of the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition (DCSC), sat down with Alex Medler, executive director of the National Network for District Authorizing (NN4DA), on DCSC’s 10th anniversary to discuss what #charterschool applicants should consider before submitting their petition, and what #charterauthorizers should look for to assess a charter applicant’s capacity and commitment to #educationdiversity.   The most important piece, said Park, is for applicants and authorizers to have a conversation of the practicalities of running a diverse school and putting vision into practice. “At the heart of the work that we are doing…is really thinking about what does equity inclusion look like, about how this is going to work, where are you going to be located, how are you going to get families to your school, and how are you going to support your teachers in professional development to make sure they're able to deliver the program that you envision.”  https://lnkd.in/gDQEm67p

This is the kind of thing that is going on in school districts around the country, and it is not a story that makes America look good. What all this says to me is that unless people who want education to be based on facts not indoctrination in falsehoods, and who support democracy get out and work for those values at their local level, we are not going to be a world leader in the future. We are not going to be a well-educated population, and we will probably not be a democracy. If you want your children and grandchildren to grow up in a country that resembles the country you knew, you better get involved at your local level and see that there is real fact-based education in your schools and that democracy survives.

Charter schools seem like the education world’s bad boy with a report card full of potential. Three decades in, the shine is wearing off, with critics firing accusations of profiteering and segregation. #CharterSchools Remember the original dream? Community-run schools breaking the mold, igniting innovation, and giving kids a fighting chance? The brightest stars like @chartercollab in the charter universe are still shining. They’re the ones with the multiple accountability measures, the ones empowering communities, the ones obsessed with transforming lives, not lining pockets. Dynamic public education needs renegades AND reformers. The renegades push boundaries, the reformers hold them accountable. So, let’s ditch the misinformation and have a real conversation. Can charters be the future of education? Absolutely, but only if they get back to their roots. Thoughts?🤔 #TheFutureIsNow #PublicEducation #DynamicDuo #AccountabilityWins #EmpoweringEducation #CommunityControl #EducationRevolution #charterschoolsweek #blackeducators https://lnkd.in/eTDVFQ3U

🌟 Exciting News Alert! 🌟 We're thrilled to announce our partnership with one of the UK's top schools, St Paul's Girls' School, to advance their inclusion and belonging agenda.    Hemisphere is a brain-training platform that disrupts bias, improves racial literacy and builds belonging in schools. It helps staff to identify the subtle, often accidental or even well-meaning, acts of exclusion that can impact on wellbeing and outcomes. And it introduces positive behaviours that every member of staff can do to create a more equitable school environment.    Coco Stevenson, Director of Safeguarding and Inclusion at St Paul's Girls' School (SPGS), commends Hemisphere's approach: "I love the privacy element, the reflections, the individualised action plans... The power of Hemisphere is giving people the opportunity to meaningfully reflect on race privately, without getting defensive. It’s an opportunity to understand the real impact of racism and the small actions we can all take in our day-to-day to build safe environments.”   “We’re delighted that St Paul's Girls' School has become a Hemisphere Founding Partner. We look forward to seeing the positive impact that Hemisphere has on their whole school community.” Yasmina Koné, Deputy Lead at Hemisphere. The innovative, personalised training will be offered to all educators, school staff, governors, and students at SPGS.    Rare’s latest innovation, Hemisphere Education, blends data, original research, expert insights into racial bias, real life stories and practical tips to help school communities recognise bias and address its impact on wellbeing and attainment. Over 90% of users commit to behaviour change.   #HemisphereEducation #EquityInEducation #DiversityandInclusion #HMCSchool 📚🌍

Yesterday I learned I was not to return to school “pending an investigation” into the allegations I made in my open letter to the Board of Trustees of my school. After for several months they refused to investigate the allegations of harrassment from colleagues who had established patterns of harassment against me, staff and students this school year. You’ll have to read my open letter find out more here (and still the half has not been told): https://lnkd.in/evHSijpe My students have no idea what happened to me. I have no details on the “investigation” they’re “conducting” or who is conducting it. How do you send the educator home who carried your engineering program? How does this benefit our students? How is this done to me when sexual harrassment claims against a staff member went uninvestigated? Accusations from students when uninvestigated? What are you saying about their worth when you’re receiving so much funding for “serving” them whilst also ignoring their cries? How is it possible that we didn’t get justice for what happened to us? Why am I being punshied for asking for change for months and being ignored and gaslit? And why am I left alone to deal with the blowback of taking my responsibility as a Mandated Reporter? How does it benefits students losing a highly qualified educator with two teaching certifications (ELAR & Gifted and Talented) as well as a Project Lead the Way certification in Environmental Sustsinability get sent home for what was done to her? She shouldn’t. She should have been valued and protected. This is serious! An educational institution is a place of village where parent expect their children to learn and it is encumbered upon us — the onus is on us to engaged them with more than content—with the skills to become global citizens in schools that are safe to teach and learn in. A trauma-informed environment that invests in educators and student with the money they get from taxpayers and organizations. This new series is comprised of letters to both candidates and City Council members, starting with At-Large member Robert White. If you’re a parent, student or educator and/or resident in the District of Columbia, join me in this journey on a path to force change to the current oppressive and harmful charter school system in Washington, DC! We deserve better and we need to demand it collectively. https://lnkd.in/e2S-h5i9 #EducationReform #CharterSchools #JusticeForEducators #TraumaInformedTeaching #CulturallyResponsiveEducation #SafeSchools #TeacherAdvocacy #DCCharterSchools #MentalHealthSupport #EducationEquity #CommunityChange #Whistleblower #SupportOurTeachers #WashingtonDC #ParentEngagement #StudentEngagement #StopHarassment #DemandChange

Oklahoma passes the ‘Oklahoma Access and Achievement Act’ with the goal to make higher education more accessible to everyone. Read here: https://lnkd.in/efG3uy2P #inclusionmatters #educationforall #idd #oklahoma #intellectualdisabilities #developmentaldisabilities

Day 77 of 365 The recent incident in Carlisle underscores a critical societal flaw. It is a stark reminder of the work that remains in eradicating racism and fostering an inclusive society. By prioritising diversity and inclusion education in our homes and schools, we can equip the next generation with the understanding, empathy, and respect necessary to create a more equitable world. Schools, as microcosms of society, have the power and responsibility to lead this change, ensuring all children feel valued, respected, and included. They play a significant role in shaping attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors; thus, they are the perfect arenas to instigate change and foster a culture of respect and understanding among children. Here's how schools can effectively teach diversity and inclusion: Embed Diversity in Curriculum: Use lessons to challenge stereotypes and promote understanding. Safe Spaces for Dialogue: Facilitate discussions on diversity and racism, creating a supportive environment for all students. Enforce Anti-bullying Policies: Implement clear policies against racism and discrimination, ensuring support for affected students. Celebrate Diversity: Organise events to appreciate diverse cultures and histories, teaching students to value differences. Educate Teachers: Offer ongoing training in diversity and cultural competence for educators. Foster Empathy: Encourage activities that build empathy and understanding among students. Parental and Community Involvement: Encourage parents and the community to reinforce these values at home, engaging in open conversations about respect, empathy, and appreciation for diversity. It's a shared responsibility to educate the next generation on the importance of diversity and inclusion. Have a great day!😊 #77of365 #1PercentBetter #2024goals #StopBullying #CulturalCompetence #EmpathyInEducation #ParentalInvolvement #InclusiveSociety #EducationMatters #RespectAndUnderstanding