The education system needs reform! Demand schools to adopt policies that are: Anti-Racist, Anti-Biased, Culturally Responsive, Equitable, and Inclusive!

              In the spirit of moving forward as a country, now is the time to directly confront the racial and social injustices embedded in the United States education system. We cannot heal and progress until every part of society tainted with racism, inequity, and injustice is met head on and work is done to ensure that the cycle of inequality does not repeat itself in coming generations.

              There is much evidence to show that certain students are not only underserved in schools, but actually harmed. As the result of a deeply biased system, Black, Indigenous, and Students of Color often receive a lower quality education: less resources, less access to rigorous work and advanced courses, less experienced teachers, less electives, lower quality facilities, etc. Racial and social biases also manifest themselves in “zero tolerance” policies that result in Black and Brown students, especially males, being suspended and expelled at a higher rate than their white peers. Studies show this happening earlier and earlier, sending these students on a precarious path with greater chances of incarceration. Students who are historically oppressed and excluded are also less likely to see themselves represented in curriculum, sending a dangerous message to all students that some voices, some stories, some cultures matter more than others. In addition, the system continues to be dominated by white heteronormative voices, which has resulted in underrepresentation of BIPOC & LGBTQ+ in every facet of schooling, from school board members and textbook publishers, to administrators and teachers.

              Transforming the education system MUST take place along with other efforts to dismantle racial and social injustice in the United States. We cannot profoundly change as a country until we change the way we prepare our next generation of leaders. The following actions need to take place for the 20-21 school year:

1)     Form paid state-level committees to create and support social & racial justice initiatives at districts; primarily comprised of teachers who are Black, Indigenous & People of Color.

2)     Significantly increase funding for Title I schools; eliminate property-tax based funding of schools & any merit-based funding.

3)     Adopt Ethnic Studies as a mandated course in middle and high schools using a curriculum created by primarily BIPOC teachers.