Congress Passes HEA Reauthorization!

Guest Post from: Heather Valentine
Council for Opportunity in Education

On July 31, 2008, both chambers of Congress passed the Higher Education Opportunity Act by overwhelming majorities. Specifically, the bill passed by a vote of 380-49 in the House and a vote of 83-8 in the Senate. As the legislation heads to President Bush's desk for signature, the recently released statement of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings gives COE strong hope that he will, in fact, sign the bill into law.

This legislation reauthorized the Higher Education Act of 1965 for the first time in 10 years and included numerous provisions that enhance TRIO programs. Specifically, this legislation:

• extends all TRIO grants from four to five years;
• increases the minimum TRIO grant to $200,000;
• allows branch campuses to apply for TRIO grants;
• creates an appeals process for unsuccessful TRIO grant applicants;
• kills the Upward Bound Absolute Priority, including the double-recruitment evaluation
• and ensures that any future evaluation of TRIO programs protects the integrity of students and institutions by disallowing over-recruitment and denial of services for the purposes of an evaluation and requiring the consideration of institutional review boards and the burdens placed on TRIO program participants and grantees;

It also allows TRIO grantees to target student populations with particular needs, including:

• students with limited English proficiency
• disabled students
• homeless and foster youth
• "disconnected youth" (i.e., teen parents and students who have been involved in the criminal justice system)

It also expands eligibility for Veterans Upward Bound to include:

• older veterans who served before January 31, 1955
• federal reservists who served for more than 30 days
• federal reservists called to action on or after September 11, 2001

In addition to changes that benefit TRIO, the legislation also:

• creates a simplified, 2-page Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application form;
• allows students to receive Pell Grants year-round;
• expands eligibility for the Academic Competitiveness and National SMART grant programs; and
• creates greater educational access for servicemen and women and their families through deferred and interest-free loans.

These are only some of the enhancements created by this bill that will benefit American students in pursuit of higher education. Please be sure to thank your Member of Congress for their support for this important piece of legislation. For your convenience, we have drafted a sample thank you letter here.

Thank you all for your tremendous efforts in achieving this great victory for all TRIO students!

Tech Tags: Higher+Education Higher+Education+Opportunity+Act TRIO Upward+Bound

Candidates Forum: Kansas State Board of Education

Monday, June 30, 2008

7:00-8:30 p.m.

Allison Middle School – Auditorium

221 S. Seneca

Wichita, Kansas

(parking and entrance rear of bldg.)

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Sponsored by: Kansas Families for Education Foundation

Co-Sponsors: Mainstream Education Foundation

Kansas Citizens for Science Moderator: Randy Brown, Elliot School of Communication

All candidates who have filed to run for the 8th and 10th District Positions of the Kansas State School Board have been invited to participate. Come hear why these individuals have chosen to run for the board of education and where they stand on various public education issues affecting our schools. The final 20 minutes of the forum have been reserved for questions from the audience.

The decisions made by the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBOE) directly impact our schools and our students. In recent years, the KSBOE has taken several radical positions; even attempting to redefine "Science" as a discipline, touching off the Creationism vs Evolution debate. In the coming years, the Board will deal with issues related to NCLB, title I funding, and the definition of "at-risk". It is critically important that we as parents and as community members tune in to this election and let out voices be heard. This is a great opportunity to learn more about those seeking office.

For more information: (913) 825-0099

Tech Tags: KSBOE, Kansas+State+Board+of+Education, Evolution, Creationism, Intelligent+Design

USD259 provides funding for the Director of Equity and Accountability position

Earlier this year, USD259 voted to end busing for desegregation. We (the Wichita Branch NAACP) participated in the district meetings to discuss the end and alternatives to busing and we agreed with the proposal with some caveats. In February of this year, we made a presentation to the Board of Education wherein we outlined our recommendations for maintaining diversity and equity in the district post-busing.

The first of these recommendation was that the district would create a Director level position who would oversee diversity and equity issues within the district. This position was also referenced in the 4-point plan to eliminate the achievement gap that we presented to the district sometime earlier.

The District has since voted to create a new Director of Equity and Accountability position. And we are very pleased to report that they have now proposed to fully fund the position with a $300,000.00 line item in the budget that would cover the Director's salary, the hiring of an assistant, and the services of a consultant who will help them draft the job description and will advise on how to properly manage the transition from busing to a new system.

We sincerely applaud the district's effort, and we thank them for listening and being responsive to the concerns of the community. We believe that this position will prove to be a great benefit to the district in a number of areas. Beyond the racial diversity issues, this position can help the district deal with *compliance issues on Board Policies, and objectives. It can refocus the board on *resource management and the equitable allocation of funds and projects throughout the district. It can even initiate a real discussion on the *allocation of Human Resources; namely the distribution of experienced versus inexperienced teachers.

We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the district as we continue to work on the critical issues of diversity and equity. And as always, we'll keep you posted...

Tech Tags: Education Diversity Busing NAACP Equity

Branch Vice-President Lavonta Williams' address to the Wichita State University Multicultural Center Graduation Ceremony

Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to share in this great event in your lives. First, let me say Congratulations for successfully completing your studies here at Wichita State University.

This is your special day, and you have earned the recognition with the hard work and perseverance it took to earn your diploma.But in case your professors, advisors and family members forgot to mention it, here’s one last lesson: THINGS DON’T GET ANY EASIER.

You will walk off this campus and enter a world that has more challenges than you ever imagined. As members of the multicultural community here at Wichita State, you are well aware of the additional personal and professional challenges that await graduates with different skin colors, ethnic background, national origin and other factors that make up our diverse population. The challenges are huge, but there is good news, as well. The opportunities are every bit as huge, and they have your name written on them.

Your entry into the real world of full time career comes at a most interesting time in our history. You would have to be living under a rock to miss the great multicultural debate that rages in our society.

We can start with the presidential race. For the first time in history, our next president will either be an African-American, a woman or a senior citizen over the age of 72. The cookie cutter of presidential politics got lost this year. American citizens will be asked to look beyond the traditional barriers that have blocked a lot of talented people from rising to the top of the political world.

What does that mean to you? In a word, it means OPPORTUNITY. No guarantees, no entitlements, no sure things. Just the simple opportunity for talented college graduates like you to become productive and influential members of our community.

It means that today, more than ever before, it just might be possible to set aside cultural, racial and ethnic differences as we search for common goals and values. That’s not to say we lose our color, our heritage, our core beliefs. But it DOES say that we hope to find a way to communicate effectively.

The issues of the day demand a special kind of person. Tolerant and respectful, yet courageous and visionary. People who understand the value of consensus and compromise. Those are the people who will lead us into a complex future. Those people are YOU.

As this election year marches on, we will be overwhelmed with campaign rhetoric from candidates at the local, state, federal and presidential level. Except for those who return to their native countries, one of your first great responsibilities will be to participate in the election process. Listen to the messages, analyze the proposals and then cast an informed vote on election day.

The issues of multiculturalism will play a major role in choosing our next president, as well as leaders in the courthouse and statehouses across the country. On the top of the list is illegal immigration, an issue that generates every emotion from brutal racial hatred to the compassionate sympathy. How do you embrace our tradition of a national melting pot that urged the world to “give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to break free?” And while you are doing that, how do you stand guard against the internal and international threats to our life and liberty?

These fundamental decisions are shaped by our personal experiences. As members of the multicultural community here at Wichita State University, you can look around you and immediately understand the challenge.

Race, gender, ethnicity, culture … they all provide the starting point for your journey through life. The big question is this: How will you accommodate the differences in others, and still preserve your own core values?

Just like you, my views have been shaped by my personal experience. I am a retired career educator, I am an African-American woman, I am a wife and mother, and now I am a member of the Wichita City Council. Each of those experiences has taught me something. Most importantly, they taught me the value of human potential.

A classroom of minority children can be seen in two ways: Either a disadvantaged, underserved and underperforming social group, or a high-octane, high potential pool of pure talent. I always saw the latter. I saw a child who could grow into a responsible adult, someone who loved to learn and who felt a responsibility to his or her fellow citizens.

Others aren’t so charitable. Presidential candidate Barrack Obama recently roiled the political waters by talking about a “bitterness” among rank and file Americans that drives them into false havens of security. That comment caused considerable controversy on the campaign trail, but nobody can argue that complex issues like immigration, Affirmative Action, racial profiling, security against terrorist threats all push us to the edge of moderation.

Each of those issues can stir the heart at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. And every time that happens, the broad description of multiculturalism is changed once more. I don’t have all the answers for these complex problems. In fact, I’d be hard pressed to say I have the answer for any one problem. But my experience has taught me one valuable lesson that I hope will guide you as well. The time worn values of respect and tolerance will always bring greater benefit to more people than their opposites of disrespect and intolerance.

It’s not just something you do to make yourself feel better. It’s something you do because you know you hold a responsibility to every other human being on the planet.

I hope to see all of you on the front lines of this great multicultural revolution, armed with the virtues that will make our world more secure and our individual lives more satisfying.

Thank you for time, and once again, my heartiest congratulations.


Lavonta Williams serves as the Vice President of the Wichita Branch NAACP, City Council Representative for District 1, YMCA Board member, and a member of WIN (Wichita Independant Neighborhoods)

Coleman and Brooks Middle Schools implementing a new Character Education curriculum

Guest Posted by Judith Wensel; USD259

As we've talked about in recent meetings, Coleman and Brooks will be implementing a character education curriculum called "Positive Action" next year. It's the only program designated by the "What Works Clearinghouse" of the US Department of Education to receive a top rating in both academics and behavior.

The staffs of each school are being trained next Thursday, April 24th from 8-11 (Brooks) and from 12-3 (Coleman). As we discussed at the last meeting, the trainer is willing to share information about Positive Action with interested community agencies or other schools so if you are interested, feel free to join us for lunch at 11:15 at Coleman next Thursday, April 24th in Room C109. (Coleman is located at 1544 N. Governeour). We had discussed the possibility of having the meeting in the late afternoon but the trainer's departure time doesn't allow it.

If you would like to observe any part of the actual Positive Action training you are welcome to come to Brooks between 8:00 and 11:00 or to Coleman between noon and 3:00.

Please let me know if you plan to observe either of the trainings and/or if you plan to join us for lunch.

Thanks, Judith

Ward Connerly's Anti-Affirmative Action campaign is defeated in Oklahoma!

Ballot Petition Hits Firewall in Oklahoma <--link to NAACP LDF

In a significant blow to a national effort to curtail equal opportunity in America, backers of a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution that would end equal access and opportunity programs in the state have asked to withdraw the measure from consideration. The move comes after supporters of the so-called Oklahoma Civil Rights Initiative – spearheaded by Ward Connerly's American Civil Rights Institute (ACRI) as part of a national crusade against affirmative action – failed to collect the signatures needed to get the proposal on this November's ballot.

In conceding defeat, Connerly characterized the ACRI's efforts in Oklahoma as a "miscalculation." "The hope is that this is the beginning of the end of Mr. Connerly's flawed campaign," said John Payton, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF). "The attempts by supporters of this initiative to manipulate the democratic process never garnered support from the people of Oklahoma, who have instead stood up to defend access to equal opportunity for all."

Oklahoma is one of five states, along with Arizona, Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska, currently targeted by Connerly and his ACRI. The deceptively worded initiatives claim to end "discrimination" and "preferences," but have been cited as the basis for rolling back a wide range of equal opportunity programs in states where similar initiatives have been adopted. "The most recent developments in Oklahoma only lend further legitimacy to the widespread concerns that have been raised about the tactics used by Connerly in each of the states he has targeted," said Reginald T. Shuford, senior staff attorney in the ACLU Racial Justice Program. "The efforts of Connerly and the ACRI are an affront to the ideals they claim to support, and my hope is that this is only the first of a string of victories on behalf of the many Americans who believe so strongly in equality and equal opportunity."

The withdrawal follows a lawsuit challenging the proposal by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the ACLU Racial Justice Program, the ACLU Foundation of Oklahoma and the ACLU Women's Rights Project, which raised deep concerns about the signature-gathering process and the constitutionality of the ballot petition itself. "Secretary of State Susan Savage found numerous irregularities in the signature-gathering process," said Chuck Thornton, legal director of the ACLU of Oklahoma. "We continue to find such deficiencies in our on-the-ground investigation, consistent with the beliefs of OCRI's own backers that its petition is defective and should be withdrawn."
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In discussing these campaigns with my colleague President Clyde Williams from the Mar-Saline Branch NAACP in Missouri, I have learned that Ward Connerly and his petitioners would simply ask people if they were supportive of Civil Rights. As people respond in the affirmative, they follow up by asking if those people would be willing to sign a petition to 'protect their civil rights'. The use of these deceptive practices and in some cases outright lies is shameful.


Now I will admit, that when Mr. Connerly makes his argument that he is trying to eliminate preferences that favor some at the expense of others, there is a simple surface logic to his point. However, if this campaign was truly about eliminating preferences and moving our nation towards a meritocracy, then he would have to include a multitude of preferences that his campaign willfully ignores.


Consider the University of Michigan, which was ground zero for Ward Connerly's Anti-Affirmative Action Campaign. The ACRI initiative was designed to eliminate the 20 points that were awarded to African American applicants to the University of Michigan. Mr. Connerly and the ACRI argued that these points discriminated against White applicants and should therefore be eliminated. Mr. Connerly and the ACRI argued that such preferences had no place in our contemporary society. However, the University of Michigan also awarded points for applicants who lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, they awarded points for applicants who were the children of alumni, they awarded points for applicants who attended one of a number of preselected High Schools, there were preferences in place for the children of donors and supporters of the schools, etc etc... All in all, while Mr. Connerly ravaged on the unfairness of the 20 points awarded to African Americans, he willfully ignored the 37 points being offered to the Prep School kids from Ann Arbor. And now that the program intended to increase diversity at the University of Michigan has been disbanded, so has his outrage; and the 37 points of preference reserved for the affluent and connected remain in place.


I could respect his argument if it were consistent (though I'd reserve my right to disagree). If you are against preferences, be against ALL preferences... If if diversity programs are discriminatory, then so are Legacy programs. If it's wrong to use points to achieve racial diversity, then it is equally wrong to use points to achieve geographic diversity. If its discriminatory to award points to members of a certain race, then it is equally discriminatory to award points to members of a certain family. But the ACRI campaign is not concerned with any of that... they are concerned about race and race alone. Ironically, Ward Connerly's campaign displays a peculiar inverse form of Color-Blindness; one where he is apparently blinded by color. And he's hoping to blind the rest of us with BS...

(Clyde Harold & Anita out in Missouri, Rev. Ratliff in Iowa, Bea Madison out in Colorado, and to our folks out in Arizona... Keep up the Fight! We've got 1 down - and 4 more to go)

New National Graduation Rate study is released - How did we rate??

The Editorial Projects in Education Research foundation has released a 16 page comprehensive report on the Graduation Rates within the Nation's 50 largest cities. The report is significant because School Districts typically develop their own formulas for calculating their graduation rates. Because the formulas are determined locally and based on self-determined variables, they are generally of little comparative value. But this study used a simple and uniform formula to determine and compare the likelihood that a student who enters 9th grade in a given year, will graduate with their class on time - without dropping out or failing...

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[click HERE for the full report]

The report lists the Wichita Graduation rate as 59.6% and shows a 21.2% gap between the Graduation rates of Urban and Suburban Wichita Schools. This is in stark contrast to the district's numbers. USD259 reported a graduation rate of 68.7% for the same period covered by the report and they say that the rate has since climbed to 76.4%.
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We recognize that there are enumerable formulas that could be applied to determine graduation rates and that different formulas would almost certainly result in different numbers. But that being said, this report is invaluable because it provides a single consistent measure by which we can view our progress on this issue relative to other comparably sized districts. This report highlights the fact that we as parents, advocates, and concerned community members must maintain a healthy skepticism whenever any agency writes own report card. We must continue to constructively challenge the district to innovate and reach beyond previous paradigms as we seek to improve these numbers. When as many as 4 of every 10 of our youth are projected to drop out or fail before they reach the 12th grade, it's clear that we've all (schools, parents, and community) got a lot of work to do...

Tech Tags: Graduation+Rates, Graduation+report, Education, Schools, NAACP, USD259, Wichita+schools

President Myles' address to USD259 on Equity, Diversity, and the School Bond issue

Last night, I addressed the School Board about the need for structural and policy changes to support diversity and equity post-busing. Below, I've posted a copy of my remarks...

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President Dietz, Members of the Board, and Superintendent Brooks…

We are here to discuss two of the most pertinent issues facing this board. Diversity & Equity…

Your vote last week to end Busing for Desegregation may well turn out to be the most consequential act of each of your tenures. And while the consequences may ultimately be positive or negative, one thing is for certain; and that is that there will be consequences.

But before I go any further, I would like to take a moment and address a couple issues and statements I’ve heard of late. It has become fashionable of late to talk about busing as though it didn’t work; or at least as though it was a ‘relic of a time long since past.’

Some members of the Board and the Administration have publicly described busing as something that had “outlived its usefulness”; and certainly something far less important than our new favorite buzzword: “Choice”.

Now certainly as Educators and Administrators, I would not presume to give you a history on Desegregation, but for the benefit of those who came late to the discussion, I’d like to note that Busing was never envisioned as the final solution. Busing wasn’t even the recommendation of the Wichita NAACP. Busing was merely a strategy employed to combat much larger issues. Those being Equity & Diversity.

Some members of the board have noted that Busing didn’t close the Achievement Gap. Well, it’s equally worth noting that Busing was never designed to close the Gap. If anything, we should be appreciative of the fact that it was this effort, this campaign for equity and diversity that revealed the Achievement Gap and placed the issue on our collective radars, because as long as our schools were separate, we didn’t track or measure the comparative progress of all of our children.

The progress we’ve made did not come in spite of Desegregation efforts, it came because of Desegregation. It was only through our efforts to address Diversity that we became aware of not only Structural, but systematic and instructional inequities as well.

But Now Busing has ended… You’ve taken the bold step of eliminating the Strategy… But we come here tonight to ask, what we will do now to address the substantive underlying issues.

You have proposed that an Oversight Committee be formed to monitor the district's performance on the issues of diversity and equity. We believe the oversight committee is a great idea, however we know that a oversight advisory committee alone will be vastly insufficient to shape the district's responses to the challenges that lie ahead.

A group of volunteers with no real power to affect policy or make change can not be held accountable for the condition of our schools.

In taking the vote to end our diversity program, you each, personally assumed a degree of responsibility for the outcomes. Some even took what I thought was a remarkable step of congratulating themselves on the accomplishment as though all the problems were solved and a long fought ‘battle had somehow been won’. So while we are supportive of the formation of an advisory committee, we are here to say that we recognize that committees alone are not enough. .
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We’ve been down this road before… and we have had some experience with District Advisory Committees. We came to the Board with specific recommendations to close the Achievement Gap, which were the result of three years of collaborative work between community organizations. Our recommendations, which you adopted, were never fully implemented. They were never written into policy; what we got… was a committee.

When Hope Street Youth Development came to the board with the issues of disproportionate Suspensions and Expulsions, no new policies were written, the issue was instead deferred to a committee.

When the African American Parent Support Group came with it’s recommendations, they were taken under advisement to be discussed between various committees.

The issues of diversity and equity are too important to our children for us to defer the issue to just another advisory committee. Ending Busing will only be the first of a series of very difficult decisions this Board must now face.

• The District I Board of Education (BOE) member, Betty Arnold is recommending that in addition to having an oversight committee, a paid staff position should be created to oversee diversity, quality education, etc. We wholeheartedly support this recommendation and will ask the other Board members for their support as well. We made a similar recommendation in the 4-point plan to eliminate the Achievement Gap which was adopted, but never fully implemented.

• We will also restate our position that if we are to ensure diversity and equity, then we need to go back to the map and redraw our neighborhood school boundaries. I brought up the issue of redrawing boundaries for Diversity during the Busing Task Force meeting, and while the idea was discussed favorably during those meetings, we’ve now heard how difficult it would be and that limited boundary changes for Stuckey and Heights may be warranted. But we are asking for more than that. We would like you as a board to work towards redrawing boundaries (which would address overcrowding issues) but also with a specific eye towards addressing diversity. Doing so would be a win-win.

• We also ask that you draft specific policy that speaks directly to the issue of equity in teachers, resources, and facilities. The number of highly qualified teachers and the average levels of experience within each school should be monitored and there should be some safeguards against any school falling behind the others in these categories.
  

And lastly, with regard to the proposed $350,000,000.00 bond issue… I don’t want to blindside you, so I’m here to let you all know our position.

We know and believe, that your budget reflects your priorities. You fund and spend money on those things you consider to be important. Just days ago, You each took what will likely be the most consequential vote of each of your tenures… and now you’ve come forth with a $350,000,000.00 plan for school improvements to athletic fields and swimming pools, but when it comes to the issues of Diversity and Equity, the only specific policy initiative you’re offering is just another committee.

Sure the plan calls for the construction of some new schools, but diversity and equity are more than just having a seat for every child; its about having a seat for every child in front of a highly qualified and experienced teacher, with high expectations, a challenging curriculum, and a positive learning environment.

Sure the plan calls for the upgrading of some existing schools in the Northeast, But Diversity and Equity are about more than just Bricks and Mortar; in addition to having the exterior being structurally sound, we want the interior to be INstructionally sound.

So we would like to state for the record, that while we support the goals of the proposed Bond issue, Our support or opposition to the Bond will be directly linked to the degree to which Diversity and Equity are built into the plan, the willingness of the board to develop and implement prescient policies to safeguard our vision and commitment, and our willingness to think outside of the box to create positive change, now and not later. We don’t want to wait until the bond is passed and the work is underway, to come to you with recommendations only to be told that there is no more money and no more will. Now is the time to move from “Promises” to “Policies”

We have come before you many times before. When we recommend Positions – there’s never enough money… When we recommend Policy – there’s never enough political will...

But we know budgets reflect priorities, and we want Diversity and Equity to become Priorities for this district. So we can not support a major $350,000,000.00 bond issue and facilities plan unless it reflects these values and these priorities.

Now I know I’ve said a mouthful, but I want to close by saying that, we are not coming to you tonight as Adversaries… We are here only as Advocates… We are here because we care deeply about the future of our children as you do… and we can not and will not stand to see them fall back into the traps we once escaped.

Thank you for your time...

Tech Tags: Diversity, Equity, School, Education, Busing, desegregation, resegregation, NAACP, Wichita, Kevin+Myles

Your Presence is needed to show support for diversity and ensure equity in our schools

Please Plan to Attend:

To show your support, please attend the:

Board of Education Meeting: Monday, February 11, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m. - Arrive by 5:40 p.m. for parking & seating.
Place: North High School - 1437 Rochester (by 13th & N. Waco)

Last week, USD259 voted to end it's busing for desegregation program. The plan had been in effect since 1971 and was implemented as a result of a lawsuit filed by the Wichita Branch NAACP under the leadership of then President Chester Lewis. Local Wichitan's and longtime readers of this blog know that the administration of USD259 had sought for a number of years to end the program, and that each year, the Branch would mount a strategic 'counter-campaign' to save it.

Many of you outside of Wichita may be surprised to learn that our program had survived this long, but that was a testament to the hard work and efforts of the volunteer members of our local branch. Over the last few years, our Branch (particularly the members of the Education committee) held forums, attended community meetings, passed out flyers, bought and supplied books and resource materials, gave radio and television interviews to support and maintain our districts desegregation efforts. We worked very hard for the cause of maintaining diversity within our schools, and each year, though our district's administration made clear their intent to end the program, we were able to rally public support and keep it in place.

This year was different. Bolstered by the recent decision of the Supreme Court, the district approached the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) once more, seeking to be released from our busing for desegregation program. We contacted OCR as we had in years past to state our position as representatives of the original plaintiffs in the suit that led to the creation of the plan. But while our fierce support of diversity in education never waivered, this campaign coupled with the recent Supreme Court decisions gave us a good opportunity to re-examine our strategy.

In reassessing our strategy it became clear that somehow along the way, we had allowed ourselves to slip into the role of defending the status quo. That was a tragic and inappropriate role for a watchdog/advocacy group because we were often placed in a position of defending a status quo that was in many respects inadequate. Our children have many educational issues and needs, but our ability to effectively advocate on their behalf was muted; it was difficult at times to fight for what we needed when we were fighting so hard to maintain what little we had. Like midshipmen aboard a leaky boat, so much of our time was devoted to fixing leaks, bailing water, and reassuring dissatisfied passengers, that little time was left for us to recognize or address the fact that our Sail was actually too small, our maps were outdated, and our Captain was asleep at the wheel. If for no other reason that this, we as a Branch needed to reposition ourselves so that we could become more effective in our role as advocates.

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We had made it clear all along that we were never 'married' to busing; we viewed busing as a strategy, not a goal. But we were and remain completely committed to Diversity in Education, Educational Equity, High Expectations for all students, Challenging Curriculums, and having experienced highly qualified teachers for our children. We addressed the Board of Education during the 06 and 07 school years and acknowledged that we would be open to alternative plans as long as they provided for these things.

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When the District voted to end busing, a plan was put forth that would (at least initially) address these issues. Additionally, a number of promises and commitments were made by members of the Board and the Administration regarding diversity and equity. However, while we believe the members of the Board to be sincere in their intent, we want to see these promises and commitments codified into district policy.

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The district has proposed that an Oversight Committee be formed to monitor the district's performance on the issues of diversity and equity. We believe the oversight committee is a great idea, however we know that a oversight advisory committee alone will be vastly insufficient to shape the district's responses to the challenges that lie ahead. A group of volunteers with no real power to affect policy or make change can not be held accountable for the condition of our schools. The District and administration may, at their discretion, delegate some degree of oversight and authority to an advisory committee, but they can NOT delegate their responsibility or their accountability.

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In taking that vote to end the existing program they each, personally assumed responsibility for the outcomes. However, the issues of diversity and equity are so important to our children, that we can not simply allow them to defer the issue to just another advisory committee. Ending Busing will only be the first of a series of very difficult decisions this Board must now face.

• The District I Board of Education (BOE) member, Betty Arnold is recommending that in addition to having an oversight committee, a paid staff position should be created to oversee diversity, quality education, etc. We wholeheartedly support this recommendation and will ask the other Board members for their support as well. We made a similar recommendation in the 4-point plan to eliminate the Achievement Gap which the Board adopted, but never fully implemented.

• We will also restate our position that if we are to ensure diversity and equity, then we need to go back to the map and redraw our neighborhood school boundaries. The AAA neighborhood for student assignment purposes was defined by residential segregated housing patterns. To truly move beyond race in education, we should abandon the old 'Negro district' and develop new school boundaries using the same growth and capacity formula that we would use anywhere else in the city. We believe that if we all work together to reexamine school boundaries and determine how best to assign students, we can maintain diversity without forced busing.

• We will ask that the District draft policy that speaks directly to the issue of equity in teachers, resources, and facilities. The number of highly qualified teachers and the average levels of experience within each school should be monitored and there should be some safeguards against any school falling behind the others in these categories.

• And we will also speak to the District's proposed $350,000,000.00 bond issue.

On Tuesday morning, following the Board meeting, I will post my comments to the board and their questions and reactions here on the blog. But in the interim, we asking that all who are able plan to attend and show your support for these efforts...

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See you Monday!

Tech Tags: Busing, Desegregation, USD259, NAACP, Wichita+NAACP, Education, School, Youth

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County NAACP Speaks Out and Calls for Action on Education

This post was contributed by my sister President Valoria Armstrong; President of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Branch NAACP

Press Release - January 23, 2008 -

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is committed to ensuring teacher quality within our school systems. The recent racial and insulting incidents within the Hamilton County School System have raised questions to the quality of teachers that interact with our children on a daily basis.

All students, regardless of their race or ethnic background, should be able to study and learn in an environment that is free of racial or sexual attack as well as intimidation. The recent incident involving former Hixson High School teacher, Bill Eller, highlights major concerns in regard to the quality of teachers within the Hamilton County School System.

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County NAACP calls for an immediate investigation into Principal Eddie Gravitt and his lack of accountability in addressing the past concerns and complaints toward Mr. Eller from students and parents. The NAACP further calls for disciplinary actions, if necessary, according to Hamilton County School Board Policies due to Principal Gravitt's failure in not properly addressing issues of this magnitude.

The Hamilton County School System has not made diversity training a priority. Due to the failure to appropriately educate and foster awareness with all school officials, our children are not being taught in an environment conducive of acceptance, proper socialization skills, or in which inappropriate behavior is addressed accordingly.

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County NAACP is calling for all Hamilton County School officials to complete diversity and sensitivity training prior to interacting with students. Training of this nature will increase awareness of differences and create an environment where teachers and administration understands the needs of their students.

The Chattanooga-Hamilton CountyNAACP is calling for a zero tolerance policy towards school officials that exhibit or participate in racially charged or intimidating behavior or speech on the school campus and school sponsored events.

Please contact, Mrs. Valoria Armstrong, President at (423) 432-9776 or email chattanooganaacp@comcast.net with any questions and/or concerns.

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I spoke with President Armstrong this afternoon about this issue and she explained to me that there had been more than 20 complaints made by parents concerning cruel, racially, and or sexually changed comments and unprofessional behavior from former Coach Bill Eller at Hixson High School. And while these complaints continued to come in over a 2 year period, no significant disciplinary action was ever taken by the School Principal. And now, though Mr. Eller has finally been transferred and his coaching duties have been removed, it has come to light that Principal Gravitt had not even maintained records of the complaints he'd received.

We applaud your efforts Sister President. The Wichita Branch is proud to stand with you, and we wish all the best and continued success to you and the Chattanooga-Hamiton County Branch...

Diverse Choices in Education: The Community Speaks!

In Topeka, Kansas...Thursday, January 3, 2008@6:00pm, a protest will take place at the Burnett Administrative Center at 624 SW 24th. The purpose of the protest is to inform the community about the USD 501 School Boards’ unwillingness to work earnestly and in good faith with Sandra Lassiter to develop a charter school at the historic Sumner School. The Hope Street Academy proposal was accepted by the School Board with only an eighteen page proposal, whereas, the Sumner proposal was submitted with twice as many pages of documentation as Hope’s proposal and it has been denied three times for uncertain reasons.

Protests will be held every Thursday at the same time and place until the first week in February 2008, the deadline for the submission of a final charter proposal. Bias Busters of Kansas is asking all concerned parties to contact Sandra Lassiter at sandraklassiter@msn.com to lend their support and any available resources. The underlying goals are twofold: to satisfy the requests of the School Board Committee in proposal submission and to provide the community with alternative sources for the education of their children.

Under the leadership of Reverend Floyd D. Harris, the National Network in Action sponsors the protest. Rev. Harris is a member of the Kansas National Brown v. Board Committee and endorses the Sumner School Charter Proposal. Committee Member Cindi ONeal states, "Why not come together for the educational welfare of our children?"

Bias Busters of Kansas and the NNIA request all activists across the nation to E-mail the Capitol Journal editors at letters@cjonline.com in support of the proposal.

For further information contact Sonny Scroggins, @ (785 232-3761, 845-6148), Cindi ONeal @ 785-354-7733 or 785-969-6911.

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The Wichita Branch NAACP stands in support of Sandra Lassiter in her multi-year effort to open a charter school in the Topeka area. We believe that Charter schools represent an opportunity to explore alternative educational choices and methods. With far too many of our children lagging behind national standards, charter schools allow for innovation and new approaches at a time when 'out-of-the-box' thinking is so clearly needed.

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We proudly lend our voice to the call for USD501 to fairly evaluate and accept the proposal from Sandra Lassiter to develop a charter school at the historic Sumner school.

Tech Tags: Charter+Schools, School+Choice, NAACP, education

Diversity post Deseg: Our position on the District's plan to end busing...

Wichita School District USD259 is looking at ways to end it's busing for desegregation program. We have argued for the last few years that we [Wichita NAACP] as an organization are committed to diversity and integrated schools, however, we are not 'married' to busing as the method. We have argued that if the district wants to end its busing for desegregation program, than it should first make a plan that would show how we would maintain diversity, access to quality teachers and materials, while providing academic rigor, high standards and high expectations for all students.

This year, the Superintendent assembled a task force to study recommendations and make suggestions for such a plan that would be a suitable alternative to busing. I served on that task force and made suggestions that were incorporated into the final presentation that the Superintendent made to the Board of Education.

Yesterday I was interviewed by the Wichita Eagle (our local newspaper) to gather community reactions to the presentation. While my comments were rather lengthy, the article itself focused on showing diverse opinions, therefore my comments were truncated and our position was not conveyed.

As the plaintiff organization in the original lawsuit that led to the creation of USD259's desegregation plan, I feel it is important that we clearly communicate our position to the community. I have since pieced together my own notes from the interview, and I will now share my reassembled notes from that interview with you all, in their entirety...
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Wichita Eagle:
What was your reaction to the superintendent's proposal?

KM:
I was pleased we were able to reach a compromise. The plan recognizes the fact that we need to sit down and do the hard work of figuring out how to deal with capacity issues and student assignments. But, in the interim, this plan offers acceptable choices to children in the AAA area.
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Wichita Eagle:
Are you concerned about the district possibly returning to more segregated schools?

KM:
Certainly. Most of the districts who have abandoned their desegregation programs have become increasingly segregated and we have seen a return to an unequal distribution of resources. If we are going to avoid that fate, then we as a community will have to be active, vocal and vigilant and we will have to hold our elected representatives on the school board, along with our superintendent and administration accountable for the condition of those schools.

But we can not solve this issue without going back to the map and redrawing school boundaries. The AAA neighborhood for student assignment purposes was defined by residential segregated housing patterns. To truly move beyond race in education, we should abandon the old 'Negro district' and develop new school boundaries using the same growth and capacity formula that we would use anywhere else in the city.
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Wichita Eagle:
How could we re-draw those boundaries? What would that look like?

KM:
What we [the Wichita NAACP] envision as an ideal scenario would be an all magnet, open enrollment district. Short of that, any new boundaries drawn would require constant vigilance on the part of parents, community organizations and concerned citizens.

We need to consider redrawing school boundary lines to reflect locations of students and capacities of surrounding schools, and get away from old maps based upon segregated housing patterns.

We believe that if we all work together to reexamine school boundaries and and determine how best to assign students, we may be able to provide diversity without forced busing.
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Wichita Eagle:
Some people have expressed a concern about how the district would ensure that there were equitable resources for all schools. And the District has talked about possibly building more schools in central northeast Wichita. What are your thoughts?

KM:
We are for building enough schools to address district capacity issues, however, the location of those schools should be based upon student population and needs. We should not focus on creating seats specifically for Black children or seats for specifically for Latino children solely for the purposes [of vacating] a court order. That is actually a step in the wrong direction.

If all we do is replace a few schools in the old Negro district, then we will have simply returned to the same segregated pattern and formula that led to the original lawsuit brought by Chester Lewis and the Wichita Branch. But if we capitalize on this moment, this envisioning process really gives us an opportunity to do something truly visionary and progressive.
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Wichita Eagle:
Are you concerned that this could be a very prolonged process and how would that effect children in the AAA area?

KM:
According to the plan as submitted, kids in the AAA area get preference in placement to magnet schools for however long it takes.
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Wichita Eagle:
There seem to be some generational differences of viewpoints, with some in the older generation who fought to end segregation in schools are saying we need to keep busing for deseg, but some younger people in the community are saying we should end it. How do we reach a common ground? And IS there a common ground?

KM:
Among those of us who are most affected, I think we have to work for that common ground.

Let me go on record as saying: We, as the NAACP, are in favor of maintaining diverse, integrated schools. And we will oppose any plan we see as a harbinger to more segregated school assignments. However, we believe by collectively reexamining school boundaries and plans for student assignments it is possible to achieve diverse and integrated schools without forced busing. All of our efforts are focused to that end.
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Leave us a comment and share your thoughts on this issue...

Tech Tags: Busing desegregation integration resegregation schools current+events current+affairs NAACP Wichita USD259

NAACP college chapter forming at WSU

BY CHRISTINA M. WOODS
Reposted from The Wichita Eagle
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An NAACP chapter is forming at Wichita State University. "It's another chapter to bring socially conscious people together to really advocate for equality and justice, higher education, proactive leadership and scholarships," said Aonya Kendrick, a WSU senior who is laying the groundwork for the chapter.
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The regional branch of the NAACP chartered the WSU college chapter in late October, according to the Rev. Gil Ford, an NAACP Regional Director.
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The campus NAACP chapter still must be recognized by the university before it can formally operate. Kendrick said that process could conclude by January.
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The NAACP has more than 30,000 young people representing 600 youth councils, high school chapters and college chapters nationwide. Membership in college chapters is open to students under age 25.
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The WSU chapter would not replace the university's existing African American Student Association, which works to promote diversity and multiculturalism, Kendrick said.
The two organizations, she said, would remain separate but work toward common goals.
Washburn University in Topeka has the only other active NAACP college chapter in Kansas, Ford said.
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Reach Christina M. Woods at 316-269-6791 or cwoods@wichitaeagle.com.
© 2007 Wichita Eagle and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansas.com

Welcome to the Wichita State University Branch NAACP

At the October 20th meeting, the NAACP National Board of Directors approved a request to charter the Wichita State University NAACP College Chapter. Please join with us