Initiatives for Change
Date: 09/16/2020
Author: Jamie Hansen
Today we are facing a two-fold national crisis: The Covid-19 pandemic and the call for social justice. Our students are at the forefront of experiencing the impact of both crises. Covid-19 has forced education to convert traditional classroom teaching to social distance learning. This change has brought to light the disparity among marginalized and disadvantaged students. At the same time, tragic events have led to a civil discourse for social justice and equality. This has opened the conversation on how to change the future of education for students of color. As a result, many local educators have already begun to team up to make change across our school districts.
In this month’s Learning Bulletin, SCOE is highlighting educational initiatives that are tackling some of these issues. Read on to learn more and find ways to get involved in addressing equity in distance learning.
CARE Collective
The CARE Collective, led by SCOE’s Educational Support Services team, strives to bring educators together to share and build knowledge related to how to support students and their families during distance learning and COVID-19. Focused on equity, the Collective will address three key interrelated areas: physical safety, emotional connection, and academic learning. In order to ensure that ALL families survive and thrive, the CARE Collective unites the resources, knowledge, and cultural assets of community leaders and organizations. Educators and adults working in schools are invited to register. The first virtual gatherings are happening soon. Learn more and sign up to participate at scoe.org/carecollective.
Student Voices on Racism, Equity, and Social Justice
A series of forums called Student Voices on Racism, Equity, and Social Justice is meant to provide students of color the chance to speak directly to school leaders to share their experiences and ideas on making schools more equitable. Hosted by SCOE, these forums are designed to help school leaders learn directly from those they are serving. The first event, the Black Student Voices forum, took place Tuesday, Sept. 15. Subsequent forums this fall will feature the voices of Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Indigenous students. Learn more and register at scoe.org/classes.
Conversations in Common: A Collaborative Diversity & Inclusion Reading Project
Led by superintendents at Harmony and Forestville school districts as well as librarians and educators from across the county, this project is a synchronized, community-wide, book reading program focused on diversity, inclusion, and social justice narratives. A different text will be selected for different age ranges. A central goal of the project is to elevate the capacity of our schools, families, and communities, to engage in conversations of this nature. To receive further information about this project, please sign-up at bit.ly/ConversationsInCommon.
Equity in Education Initiative
The Equity in Education Initiative is made of representatives from a range of nonprofits, educational, and governmental organizations working together to foster equity for students. The initiative seeks to provide tools and information to help the community bring about meaningful change. This is centered on the idea that, with a greater understanding of how the system operates educators, students, and families can better advocate for equity in policymaking. Effective change starts with active listening. By opening doors, hosting forums, and seeking out marginalized voices, the EIEI initiative seeks to provide participants with an understanding of kids’ real experience in the education system and learn what ideas and programs are needed to target inequities and roadblocks.
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Additional information and resources, including tools for understanding racism and bias at a personal level as well as in the classroom, are available at scoe.org/socialjustice.
