Kristen Jacobson’s Post

Reflecting on 70 Years Since Brown v. Board of Education 📝 This year marks the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, a pivotal decision intended to desegregate American schools. Despite this historic ruling, many educational institutions remain segregated and unequal. Our latest blog explores the historical context, the ongoing struggles against systemic inequity, and how we can use the equityXdesign framework to drive real change in our education system. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dntaxxKH

This is an excellent piece, and fits right along with what I just posted about the Snedden/Dewey divide. This part is especially haunting: "This May marks the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling that school segregation is unconstitutional. De facto school segregation has nonetheless persisted, with the Economic Policy Institute reporting in 2020 that Black students are more than twice as likely to attend high-poverty schools as their white peers and that 60% of Black students are concentrated in high-poverty schools predominantly serving children of color. Many of these students are relegated to deeply underfunded “apartheid schools,” attended almost exclusively by low-income students of color. Battling the consequences of state fiscal abandonment like dilapidated school buildings, unsafe drinking water, and a revolving door of underprepared teachers, these schools have to work twice as hard to provide students with a quality educational experience—one that is rich in critical thinking, collaborative project-based learning, and opportunities for autonomously student-driven work. This “deeper learning” historically reserved for “elite” students is now in demand across the knowledge-intensive job market and postsecondary educational spaces awaiting students upon graduation. High-poverty schools with elevated teacher attrition struggle to provide these crucial skills, leaving graduates scrambling to catch up to compete with their peers. This failure is both a national problem and a signal that our civil rights work is not yet done." #education #equity #cathedralthinking 

Throughout the year, we honor the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. This pivotal ruling declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, laying the groundwork for educational equity and civil rights in the United States. Why is this decision important? It reaffirmed that every child deserves equal access to quality education, regardless of race. It set a precedent for dismantling systemic barriers and continues to inspire efforts toward inclusive and equitable schooling for all students. Here is a list of tools and resources for educators to support and enhance their efforts in creating inclusive, equitable learning environments. https://lnkd.in/eF3yT5ex #BrownvBoard70 #EducationEquity Southern Education Foundation

"Diversity proponents are countering a narrative expressed during a recent House Committee on Education and the Workforce subcommittee hearing, titled “Divisive, Excessive, Ineffective: The Real Impact of DEI on College Campuses.” Paulette Granberry Russell, the president and CEO of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), described the March 7 subcommittee hearing as “a continuation of the steady stream of gross misrepresentations of our work to pursue a political agenda.” Congressman Burgess Owens of Utah’s Fourth District chairs the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. Owens — who has previously introduced related legislation, including H.R. 3724, to prohibit so-called “political litmus tests” such as requiring adherence to DEI standards as a condition of accreditation for higher education institutions — criticized DEI practices in a Feb. 29 statement, ahead of the hearing. “Growing up in segregation, bathrooms, water fountains, and schools were separate,” said Owens. “While America has made significant strides, it’s appalling to see blatant discrimination, indoctrination, and divisiveness encouraged and funded in classrooms. We cannot let DEI sabotage our country’s fundamental values of hard work and meritocracy, teaching our children that it’s acceptable to judge each other based on race or sex.” Jin Hee Lee, the strategic initiatives director at the Legal Defense Fund, noted that the organization has been monitoring the issue nationally and leading campaigns to defend against attacks on DEI. “As a nation, we cannot afford to forgo the benefits and contributions of talented Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and other underrepresented students,” she said in a statement following the hearing. “Moreover, our national security, our ability to compete in a global economy and in scientific and technological innovation, and the health of our multi-racial democracy depend on producing informed leaders and a well-trained workforce who are capable of navigating and thriving in a racially diverse society.” - Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

Attention, white teachers! Summer break is upon us, but before you dust off the beach umbrella, let’s talk homework. This year’s assignment? #RacialJustice. Think of it as a crash course in catching up. Implicit bias and systemic racism aren’t going to magically disappear while we build sandcastles. We (yes, WE) need to re-energize our commitment to equity. This crazy school year might have blurred our focus, but let’s not let it be an excuse. Our students deserve better. They deserve teachers who are actively dismantling the systems that marginalize them. So, this summer, take a deep dive into anti-bias training, read books by BIPOC educators, and listen to the voices of your students. This isn’t a one-time assignment, it’s a continuous learning process. Let’s show our students that we’re committed to being a part of the solution, not perpetuating the problem. #RacialJusticeHomework #EquityInEducation #WhiteTeacherAlly #DismantlingRacism #SummerLearning #AntiBiasTraining #ListenToStudents #BetterTogether #ContinuousProgress #BreakingTheCycle #educationmatters #educationequity #educationequality   https://lnkd.in/eRyWRBQ5

How we'll get to integration and education equity: We've worked with fellow education justice advocates to craft a thoughtful strategy for ushering in an era where every student has a fair and equal shot at quality education. Our approach combines state policy changes, comprehensive research, and proactive advocacy. Why does this matter? History shows us that these tools are incredibly effective. For instance, 12 years of court-ordered desegregation dramatically narrowed the Black/white education gap - until the late 80s when rapid desegregation followed the court's loosened oversight. Transforming our schools into reflections of the diversity of our country is necessary for a healthy democracy. We are fighting for schools that are not only diverse but also rich in resources and opportunities, where every student can thrive. Dive into our roadmap linked below, and stay tuned for our detailed research and state policy agendas soon! https://lnkd.in/g9vt3EQz

https://lnkd.in/esqmtuEt Dr. Chaka Felder-McEntire, excellent work! Yvonne Renee Davis of #DAVISIntelligence was pleased to support your Equity in Education Summit with the media. Over 150 actively participated in Connecticut’s first Educational Equity Conference at the Canal Boat Dock in New Haven this past Saturday morning. The conference examined the state of education for underserved students of color heading to college in the fall and the future. Dr. Chaka Felder-McEntire, HIGHER HEIGHTS YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS INC, hosted the summit. Students presented a study to ask for a case mandate to increase school partnerships with community-based health organizations to address the mental health issues of minority students. Students who attended and helped to lead the summit reported that 34% percent of minority/Black students had attempted suicide. Some of the other outcomes included: 1. Requesting a student body for advocacy is created at the state level. Strengthen broadband connectivity. 2. Although broadband connectivity is free or low cost, it still needs to be higher and faster and must be improved. 3. Hire more teachers who are diverse and identify with the student body of minority-dominated students. 4. Enforce more teacher-connected accountability with students by becoming more relatable.  5. Teachers need to represent the students they teach. These students only see Black people as janitors, security guards as cafeteria and service workers. This dynamic must change. 6. Although the C.R.O.W.N. is a law, it still needs more enforcement regarding policies and students in athletics. Students of color are still being penalized for their hairstyle. There were mighty leaders in the room. Most importantly, the students were in an entire room. #CongresswomanRosaDeLauro, Congresswoman eLauroJahana Hayes, State Senator Gary Winfield, State Representative Corey P. Paris, State Treasurer Erick Russell, Amber Moye, #DeloresGarciaBlocker, Teach For America Connecticut, David Ferreira, Ed.D., Kalila Hines Winters, MA, for the Biden Administration, Secretary of Education, Dr. Dakibu Muley, LMSW, David Hopkins, CEO, Urban League of Greater Hartford, #DrCamilleCooper, NAACP Greater New Haven Branch, #DrJamesMartinez

Last Friday marked 70 years since the historic ruling to desegregate our public schools in America with the 𝐵𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑣. 𝐵𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑇𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑘𝑎, 𝐾𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑎𝑠 landmark decision; yet today, school segregation is on the rise. One of the reasons I wrote my forthcoming book, BEING BLACK IN AMERICA’S SCHOOLS, was to shed a humanistic light on the “separate and unequal” educational experience that has persisted for Black and Brown children in our American education system since its inception. Today, it is imperative that we begin to thoroughly interrogate one of our great American institutions, our education system, and no longer provide the system with a moral pardon for the inequities it bestows on Black and Brown children – and inevitably all children. We must acknowledge the psychological, emotional, and academic impact the system has on our students and begin to disrupt the policies, structures, and models that lead to a lack of resources and disparate outcomes. It's time for us to finally hold true to the promise of the landmark ruling 70 years ago that asserted an equitable education for every student – regardless of race or background. If not now, then when?

Throwback Thursday: The Journey of Desegregation in Schools On this Throwback Thursday, let's reflect on a pivotal chapter in American history: the desegregation of schools from the 1950s to the 1970s. This era marked a profound transformation in our society, shaping the educational landscape we know today. The journey began with the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. The Court's unanimous decision declared that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal," overturning the infamous "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson. This ruling set the stage for desegregation, challenging deeply ingrained racial divides. However, the path to integration was neither swift nor smooth. Across the nation, many schools and communities resisted change. It took the courage and perseverance of civil rights activists, students, and parents to push for enforcement. Notable moments include the Little Rock Nine in 1957, where nine African American students faced hostile crowds to integrate Central High School in Arkansas, under the protection of federal troops. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, further legislation and court orders were necessary to dismantle segregation fully. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent Supreme Court rulings reinforced the mandate for equal educational opportunities, ensuring that the principles set forth in Brown v. Board of Education were implemented nationwide. Desegregation was a crucial step toward equality, promoting diverse and inclusive environments that benefit all students. As we look back, we honor those who fought tirelessly for justice and remember that the pursuit of equity in education continues. Their legacy reminds us of the power of resilience and the importance of standing up for what is right. Let's continue to build on this legacy, ensuring that every student has access to the quality education they deserve. #CnjAssociates #ThrowbackThursday #Desegregation #EducationEquity #CivilRights

While the barriers to higher education are different from one person to the next, its value remains the same for people of all backgrounds. #montco #CommunityCollegeMonth #DEI #HigherEducation #MontgomeryCountyCommunityCollege #60thAnniversary