Mark Stross’ Post

Are you a really good and well rounded educator or school leader, if you have: 🔩Always taught or led in well funded, well staffed, well equipped schools? 🔩Always taught or led people that look like you when you live in multi-cultural/ multiracial communities and have (had) many opportunities to volunteer or teach (lead) in low fee (impoverished) schools? 🔩Never advocated for equal opportunities for all children in your schools and around the world regardless of their background? 🔩 Always see all disruptive behavior from students in the classroom as “bad” instead of it being an invitation to empathize and dig deeper-what could be the cause? Are the needs of this students being met at home or school? Is there a learning disability or are there other problems that need addressing?

Elevating Black and Brown Parent Voices in Education 📣 The voices of Black and Brown parents are vital to shaping inclusive and equitable school environments. Their unique perspectives and experiences provide essential insights that can drive meaningful change in our education systems. To elevate these voices, we must actively involve parents in decision-making processes, create platforms for open dialogue, and offer resources that empower them to advocate for their children. Workshops and community meetings are effective ways to ensure that their input is heard and valued. By listening to and amplifying Black and Brown parent voices, we can foster a more inclusive educational landscape where all students thrive. Let’s commit to making this a priority! #ParentEngagement #EquityInEducation #VoicesThatMatter #CommunityEmpowerment #Education #FamilyEngagement #ParentVoices #SchoolLeadership #EducationalLeadership

The California Public Schools are mandated to have a Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) tasked with reviewing and commenting on the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). In San Francisco Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco is attending a meeting being held by San Francisco Unified School District on February 16 at 12:45 pm, focused on families who identify as Latino/e/x and thier ideas about launching the Latino/e/x PAC. The 2023 #CASchoolDashboard shares 31%, that's 15,105 students are Latino/e/x. With such a large representation of students, our organization's advocacy and engagement in school board-level meetings, and with parent/community advisory groups are critical to supporting parents to develop the skills necessary for #building, #accessing, and #navigating community support systems. Our 2022, Impact shared that 91% of parents felt stress was #mitigated and relationships with the School District and System were #responsive. If you are a family that attends SFUSD and you identify or want to support Latino/e/x students come to this important meeting! Read our blog: Parent Advisory Committees are Critical to the Local Control Accountability Plan, about what the LCAP and the PAC are and who they are intended to engage and serve. https://lnkd.in/g5vRpmpE Leg Source: EC Sec 42238.01

In today's edition of "But what does NCEE do?" I bring you this example - the partnership among the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU), the Southwestern PA regional early childhood organization Trying Together, and the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE). Yes. We support the collective efforts across a state to tackle a clearly defined area of improvement. The piece below outlines this partnership but I can share that this quote just grabbed me: 💡 "The journey begins with a blueprint envisioning ECE as an integral part of a lifelong learning system, extending from early childhood through young adulthood. Inspired by high-performing education systems globally, Pennsylvania seeks to create a seamless transition from ECE to K12 educational systems." 👏 Imagine that. Imagine thinking about ECE as a part of a bigger whole. OK, I know what you're thinking..."We already think of it that way, Janice." Hmmm.. OK. How about this - Imagine that your ACTIONS support that way of thinking. I can think of a few ways/examples of what this might look like but I would much rather hear YOURs. Share below and take a quick read of what's happening in PA to fuel your thinking. Trevor Greene, EdD Jhone Ebert Felicia Gonzales Marilyn Dondero Loop Pam Teel Randy D. Barrack Tony Thurmond Darryl Adams, Ed.D. Darryl J. Henson, Ed.D. Jennifer Burks, Ed.D. Monika Hazel Mark Luque Joe Davis Dr. James Everett Peter Finch Andi Fourlis Kelly Guempel

Understanding and supporting our children with learning differences can be quite a journey. I recently came across some insights on advocating for kids with dyscalculia, and it struck a chord. As someone who has seen students struggle in math, the challenges they face are not just academic but deeply emotional too. It's crucial to foster an environment where children feel confident in their abilities. One of the key points highlighted was the importance of collaboration with teachers and professionals, which can make a significant difference in a child's educational experience. Taking the initiative to communicate openly ensures that the child's needs are addressed in a supportive manner. What resonated with me the most is that advocacy is not just about pushing for change; it's about empowering our children to express their own needs and feelings. Encouraging them to share their experiences helps build their self-advocacy skills, which are invaluable as they grow. If you're navigating these challenges or have insights of your own, let's connect. What has worked for you in advocating for your child or students? https://lnkd.in/eZUts_AU

In today’s educational landscape, it’s crucial for teachers and administrators to have a strong advocate who can stand with them through challenging conversations and tough scenarios in their districts. 🎓🗣️ Being that advocate is a profound privilege—it’s about more than just support; it’s about empowering those who feel they can’t raise their voices during difficult times on their campuses. We believe in amplifying the voices of our educators and ensuring they never feel alone in their fight for what’s right. 💪🏾❤️ #AdvocacyInEducation #SupportForEducators #EmpowerTeachers #EducationMatters #VoicesOfTeachers

📣📣 ATTN: #FamilyLearning professionals 📣📣 The #NCFL24 Call for Proposals is NOW OPEN! Are you interested in sharing a best practice, strategy, or resource to help families succeed in accomplishing their learning and career goals? Submit a proposal by April 15: https://ow.ly/fPFi50QHYmP We welcome submissions on the following topics: ➡️ #FamilyLiteracy ➡️ #FamilyEngagement ➡️ #FamilyLeadership ➡️ Research & Evaluation ➡️ Policy & Advocacy

“Schools tend to plan everything unilaterally, even events for families. When I take an unvarnished look back at my six years as a school principal, I feel both embarrassment and regret that we rarely brought families to the decision-making table. We did not even include their expert voices when we planned events such as back-to-school nights or parent-teacher conferences. By failing to include family perspectives, we consistently missed out on the opportunity to improve these events for all stakeholders… Through their participation on FET teams, family members and educators grow steadily more confident and vocal in pursuing needed changes. In essence, they each acknowledge their independence and use it to inspire shared action. Their collaboration creates tangible change and disperses the responsibility for creating a just school.” In honor of the launch of my book On The Same Team: Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families Together, this is one of a few quotes I’m sharing. My book highlights many of the learnings from hundreds of collaborative gatherings that center family voices and offer a proven structure for creating more equitable schools. #k12education, #teachers, #education, #teachingandlearning, #educationalleadership #familyengagement #parents #schoolleadership Solution Tree NAFSCE (National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement) Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)

Do you feel empowered to advocate for your child's needs within the school system? 📚💪 Effective advocacy is crucial for ensuring that children receive the support and resources they need to thrive. As parents, we often find ourselves navigating a complex educational landscape, trying to ensure our children get the best possible support. Advocacy is not just about speaking up—it's about understanding the system, knowing your child's rights, and collaborating with educators to create the best possible learning environment. When parents and educators join forces, they can make a significant difference in a child's educational journey. This collaboration is essential in navigating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 plans, and other educational supports. An informed and empowered advocate can ensure that a child's unique needs are met, paving the way for academic success and personal growth. Parents, your voice is powerful. Educators, your insights are invaluable. Together, we can transform the educational experience for every child. How can we empower more parents and educators to become strong advocates for each child's unique needs? Share your experiences and strategies. The power to create change lies with us. 🌟✊ #AdvocacyInEducation #EmpowerParents #SupportEveryChild

While scrolling through my feed, I came across an image that made me pause and reflect. It got me thinking deeply—why do we need to uplift others and how can we do this better? Then, I was reminded of a simple truth: A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. In special education, this resonates so strongly. Every time we support, guide, and nurture a child, we're helping them shine brighter without diminishing our own light. The more we uplift each other—students, educators, and families—the brighter the whole community becomes. Let’s continue to light the way for those who need it most. Together, we can create a more inclusive and empowered future. #inclusive#specialeducator#thoughtful#teamwork#team