By Dr. Tanya Moorehead Cooley
It takes a village to raise a child, a well-known African proverb, rings in my ears constantly as encounter my children or the children of my community that I affectionally call my village. I am fully aware that I can not raise any child alone. Popular culture promotes the idea that people are making it on their own. I disagree! I did not make it on my own. How could I do life on my own? It is impossible to succeed without the support of others. I can hear the opposite views that might challenge this thought and I respect them. Yes, it takes intrinsic motivation to push beyond the obstacles in life but as you push, it is necessary to have someone cheering you along or offering you the preverbal bottle of water as you continue to run your race or to warn you about the pitfalls ahead that might cause you to fall. It is even more important to have people around you who will cover the holes on the path to success so you won’t fall into them. We need each other.
Why is this information relevant to a conversation about education reform? It is relevant because real meaningful education reform takes a “village” to create and successfully implement. Parents and supportive community members have been at the heart of many, if not all of the greatest education movements. In 1951, thirteen African American parents from Topeka, Kansas filed a class action suit against the Board of Education on behalf of their 20 children. The landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, ruled that racial segregation was unconstitutional. This case was the foundation for another village to reform education as we know it. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975 gave all students access to free appropriate public education.
It is important to hold our leaders accountable for what they should do and it is equally important to harness the power that we have as a “village” to reform the state of education for all of our children. This is not an update on the current political debates that are churning about education reform. It is important to stay informed but it is also important to not get overwhelmed by the fight and lose your hope. This is a quick reminder that we have the power to “be the change that we want to see.” We have the power to join forces as a village and change education. Parents, use your power! Community members, get involved!
5 tips to reform education in your school and community
- Visit your local schools
Most parents are very present when their child is in elementary school, but typically do not visit their child’s school when they move beyond early elementary. Time is often a challenge as our busy lives absorb the hours of the day. Try to make an effort to show up to your child’s school for events or schedule a meeting to talk to their teachers. It is one simple step in the right direction. This helps you to know who your child is spending time with and it lets the teachers know that you are concerned and willing to support your child. Your presence is valuable. You may not have all of the answers, but neither do they. Be committed to working towards positive solutions for your children and their education.
2. Volunteer in your local schools
Volunteering is not always easy to fit into our schedules but it is worth the sacrifice. As a parent, I have reaped the benefits of participating on field trips in my son’s class. I cannot do it as often as I would like, but every experience counts. It benefits my child, the other students and the teachers. There is nothing like seeing the bright smile on my son’s face when I show up to his school. He is 5 years old so I am sure that the window of joy on his face when I show up to his school is sure to close in 7 years. I will soak it up while I can and I plan to show up even when he doesn’t welcome it. I want him to know that we are invested and that we are likely to show up for support and redirection at any given time.
3. Attend board of education meetings
I am suggesting that you attend board meetings because it is important to be part of the process. We typically show up when there is a problem. That can be beneficial, but we should also attend to see who is making the decisions for your children and listen to what they are discussing. Your voice is welcomed and a necessary part of these meetings. If you are a regular attendee, the board may be more likely to respond positively to any concerns you may raise. Your attendance also helps you make informed decisions about who to vote for in your upcoming local board of education elections.
4. Support and collaborate with teachers and school administration
Teachers and administrators need the support of families and the community. You might not think that you have something to offer them, but a simple word of encouragement might be just what they need to get them over a tough day. It takes a village to raise a child and the same village should be careful to support those who are doing much of the daily heavy lifting on behalf of our children.
5. Empower students to advocate for themselves and their education
Parents typically speak on behalf of their children and their academic needs in elementary school and relinquish the role as they progress through middle and high school. Self-advocacy is the ability to speak about your own needs. This is a skill that is beneficial to all students. We have to purposely teach these skills at an early age. Involve your child in conversations about their education and encourage them to ask questions and communicate their needs to others. Students have a greater respect for their education when they have a sense of ownership of the process.
