Pre K-12 & PSRP Issues
Background IssuesThere is no evidence that schools by themselves can close achievement gaps in a sustainable manner. Only by simultaneously targeting social and economic disadvantages can we make substantial progress (Economic Policy Institute, 2009). Providing children with a high quality education requires outstanding schools, but it also requires that all stakeholders - students, parents, educators, administrators, community leaders, business, and elected officials - take responsibility for ensuring that all children receive the education that they deserve. Families living in poverty face challenges that affect a child's ability to learn and succeed in school. For evidence, one needs look no further then a recent study that found nearly sixty percent of the children who attend Detroit Public Schools have a history of lead poisoning. What's more, those who scored "not proficient" on the MEAP test had lead levels up to 30 percent higher then those who scored "advanced" (Lam & Tanner-White, 2010). Improving socioeconomic conditions cannot be extracted from conversations about improving education. Making a commitment to education for all children requires recognizing these conditions and taking responsibility for improving them. There is no excuse for community stakeholders to ignore these realities. We must come together to work for justice and equal opportunity for all children. What We NeedCommunity Commitment & Accountability: Students, parents, educators, administrators, civic and business leaders, and elected officials are all educational stakeholders and should be accountable for ensuring a high quality education for every child in Michigan. Community commitment means that parents should provide their children with the support to make them successful. It means that businesses should allow their employees time off to volunteer at school or attend parent teacher conferences. It means city officials should demand that every child's walk to school is a safe one. It means that state elected officials should properly fund our schools and only enact reforms that are research-based. This commitment entails improving social conditions, developing an economic system that supports families with good jobs, and delivering high-quality instruction to our children. Real Parent Participation: Too many parents, particularly in low-income communities, lack a meaningful voice in their children's schools. Educators, administrators, and other professionals should actively encourage parent involvement and shared decision-making. Address Barriers to Academic Success Rooted in Poverty: Research shows substantial benefits of providing prenatal care for pregnant women and preventive care for infants and children (EPI, 2009). All parents should have access to affordable and convenient health care for their children. Since many causes of achievement gaps are rooted in what occurs outside the school day, we should invest in high quality afterschool and summer youth programs that provide academic and enrichment opportunities to disadvantaged children, alongside the entire range of wraparound services to support their families. |
