Two years ago, I wrote the article, “Parents, Stop Complaining about Community Classroom Supplies.” In this article, I explained the strain on teachers to ensure all students are prepared for instruction without teachers spending their own money to support students who come without supplies. I still believe as a community member that I should help…
As the new school year looms closer, school districts have released guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Currently, children under 12 cannot be vaccinated since there is not a vaccine that is ready for public use for this age range. Although the death rate for children is low compared to adults, school leaders want…
It is no surprise to anyone that ILEARN scores dropped. Prior to 2021, the last time ILEARN was given was in 2019. The standardized test was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Only 37.1% of Indiana students passed both the English and math portions of the assessment in 2019, and 47.9% passed English…
On April 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy was in Indianapolis. He was campaigning for president. Instead of giving a campaign speech, he gave a powerful impromptu speech informing the crowd that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated. Present during this speech was John Lewis who was Kennedy’s campaign aide. Later that year Robert…
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education has released its 4th annual Indiana College Equity Report. Unfortunately, the data was not promising for Black students. According to the report, one in four Black students graduated from high school due to a waiver. This is in comparison to only one in eight students graduating with a waiver…
Janet Jackson once sang, “What have you done for me lately?” I assert that many allies cannot answer this question in a meaningful way that counts. It is great if allies believe the words written in the Declaration of Independence where it states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created…
July 1 brings us to the middle of the year and is also when new laws go into effect. Although Indiana citizens should be aware of all laws, educators should pay close attention to laws that impact education or children. Teacher Union Dues (Senate Enrolled Act 251) – This law will not go into effect…
This month, I had the opportunity to be a presenter for the Keep Indiana Learning Summer Conference. My presentation was called “Embracing Equity to Strive Towards Excellence.” There are many school leaders who are now beginning equity work or are in the early stages of the work but aren’t sure how to do the work…
The 21st Century Scholars program has been ensuring students from low-income families could access a college education for decades. The deadline for this year’s application is June 30. The program began in 1990 and offers qualifying students up to four years of college tuition. To qualify, students must: Be an Indiana resident Be enrolled in…
Gavin Grimm, now 22, filed a lawsuit when he was a teenager after being told he could no longer use the male restroom at his school. Grimm, who is a transgender male, believed that his rights were being violated. The school told him he could either use the female restroom or use a private restroom….