Education Issue Group
Chairperson: Martha Ann Stallings mstallin@vt.edu
The purpose of the Dialogue on Race Education Issue Group is to discuss education goals and identify ways to work with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to achieve these goals.
Key Issues
- African Americans have high dropout rates.
- Achievement gaps between African Americans and whites still persist.
- There are too few African American role models as teachers or administrators.
- African American students receive differential disciplinary treatment in comparison to white students.
What Can You Do?
A Message from Martha Ann Stallings, Chair Education Issue Group
- Educate yourselves by reading the resources shared here. Let any advocacy subcommittee member know if you have any questions. These resources are to inform you the best we can at this time.
- Sign up to speak at future school board meetings. Materials on how to sign up can be downloaded by clicking the PDF icon at left. Please call the school board office (540-382-5100) to confirm meeting location since they use different locations.
- Karen Eley Sanders and Andy Morikawa spoke at the last board meeting and set a wonderful example for the rest of us. (Watch 4/5 Equity Speakers link below at minute 39). As speakers you can represent a group if that is ok’d by your group or speak as individuals. I truly believe individuals speaking can be so impactful and if you are a present, past or future family member such as parent, grandparent, what a plus! LINK: Equity Speakers 4/5/2022: Public Address begins minute 39
- We caution our speakers not to get caught up in opposing speakers. Stick with your thoughts and comments.
- Please read the opinion page that was submitted by DOR and M-R-F NAACP Chapter education groups/committees to the Roanoke Times. We heard from a Department of Education colleague and friend, that the letter caught their attention and was posted in a newsletter. We also expect there to be some follow-up (opposing) letters to the editors regarding this piece. Feel free to send your own response as an individual to counteract those. See link to left of this column to submit a letter.
- Roanoke Times offers a link on how to submit letters. Go to roanoke.com, click on menu and you will find the opinion category. There is a link to submitting a letter. Many of you have done this in the past. No more than 350 words and all your contact information is required. Let me know if you need more information.
- You most certainly can contact school board members. Their emails are also found in the “speaking” document. Penny’s best email is onlyonepenny@gmail.com.
Resources
- Submit a Letter to the Editor Roanoke Times (link)
- How to Speak at a School Board Meeting (MCPS)
- Constructing an MCPS Equity Message
- A Graphical Definition of Equity
- Roanoke Times opinion page submitted by Dialogue on Race, Montgomery County, Education Issue Group and Montgomery County-Radford City-Floyd County Branch of the NAACP, Education Committee.
- YouTube video of a speaker on Equity April 5, 2022. Public Address begins minute 39.
Action Alerts
Presentations & Other Documents
- Community Briefing: Concerning the Governor’s Education Report, presented October 14, 2022 at Hill House. In response to Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order Number One.
- Virginia Department of Education’s Interim Report in response to Executive Order One.
- MCPS Superintendent Blackburn’s presentation to Dialogue on Race Education Issues Group Members
- PPT Presentation on State Accreditation and Federal Accountability
Programs
Books & Badges
The Books to Badges program offers two years of tuition funding for those seeking a career in law enforcement. Click the button to download the application.
Meetings
Virtual on Zoom until further notice, the first Wednesday of the month, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. To serve on this group or to ask questions, contact: Martha Ann Stallings mstallin@vt.edu.