Education vs. Ignorance

Education is what empowers the American people to fuel and drive the engine of productivity and progress. It is the foundation of a strong economy, vibrant democracy and healthy society. It is the vehicle for achieving the American Dream.

Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Foundation and former president of Brown University and the New York Public Library-----

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."

Will Rogers------

"When ignorance gets started it knows no bounds."

Tom Brokaw------

"There is a place in America to take a stand: it is public education. It is the underpinning of our cultural and political system. It is the great common ground. Public education after all is the engine that moves us as a society toward a common destiny... It is in public education that the American dream begins to take shape."

Unitary Status in Jeopardy

It is worth sharing again this opinion piece that I wrote and was published in the April 1, 2008 Orlando Sentinel. Fresh concerns have emerged from the Orange County Commission's denial of rebuilding plans for Evans High School on its freshman campus (Commissioner Segal and former Commissioner Jacobs voted in favor of the plan; Commissioner Moore-Russell was absent) since this plan was a key part of the previous school board's efforts to achieve unitary status, approval by Orange County voters of a powerful districtwide elected school board chair who could dilute or distort single-member representation, attitudes of new school board members toward these two issues, and no visible signs yet from the new school board of the importance of unitary status. In these dire financial times, it is all the more important that the goals of unitary status-equity and justice- remain firmly planted. It is those goals that will help protect those most vulnerable in budget cuts- our children who live in poverty who lack the supportive networks and additional resources that help more affluent neighborhoods weather the storm and fill in gaps.

Until our school board, other elected officials and the community as a whole show commitment to equitable access to high-quality education for all students and no tolerance for marginalized or stigmatized learning environments, then perhaps we are not ready to be released from the babysitting mantle of the federal court. Vigilance and advocacy by those who care about justice and equity will be necessary during these uncertain times and as the outcomes of Evans and the elected chair emerge, and the influence of new school board members on policies and principles become more apparent.

UNITARY STATUS REQUIRES A UNIFIED COMMUNITY

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.” -Maya Angelou, poet and author

With all the focus on building a
 new Evans High School, the entire community needs to remember, as the Orange County school board
 does, about the necessity to move beyond court-ordered desegregation and achieve “unitary status.” But, many may ask, is this really so important? The answer- Absolutely.

Most large school districts operating under court-ordered desegregation seek “unitary status.” Unitary districts have shown Federal district courts that their schools are no longer purposefully segregated by race, students have equitable access to a high-quality education, and policies are in place to promote diversity and address racial isolation. It is all about equity.

Numerous policies have emerged from the sometimes-turbulent efforts to desegregate Orange County’s schools over the last forty-plus years. Most have been beneficial; some have held unintended consequences. Intensified by demographic changes in neighborhoods, some schools actually have swelling percentages of minority, low-income students. The court pays particular attention to these schools, including Evans, Jones and Oak Ridge high schools, and a number of middle and elementary schools.

Intense, and sometimes controversial, plans are being proposed to bring better equity to these challenged schools. The Evans plan-bring in strong administration and faculty, establish a rigorous curriculum, including an International Baccalaureate program, and rebuild its facility swiftly in a more stable location-exemplifies efforts and investments that create conditions for a culture of achievement and greater diversity.

While such plans obviously can improve individual schools and move Orange County closer toward “unitary status,” how can this process be helpful to the whole school district and the greater community? The answer- a great deal.

The school board and superintendent consider achieving “unitary status” an opportunity to establish policies that ensure all schools, no matter where they are located or whom they serve, and all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, socio-economic background or special need, are treated equitably. With 179 countries and 132 languages and dialects in our classrooms, half of students living in conditions of poverty, and a multitude of special needs among our children, equity is essential.

The community benefit is also clear. While serving its citizens equitably, a community will be healthier, and its economy will be stronger. When all children have the quality of education and opportunities needed for success, they are better able to pursue higher education, raise families, excel in their jobs, and be active citizens.

But equity is more than policy-making. As a value worth pursuing in Orange County, in spirit, equity means embracing our differences while seeking common values and shared goals. In action, it means mentoring, volunteering, providing additional and necessary resources, and supporting decisions that may stir the status quo, but ultimately are in the best interests of all children. Consequently, for our schools to be truly “unitary,” our community must be truly “unified.”