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Education Task Force

Recommended Actions for Parents and Community Members at the State Level

1. Collaborate with other communities. Work with parents in other communities, especially low-income communities, to support public education. Educational resources are unevenly distributed in this country and low income communities are hit the hardest by lack of support for public schools. Join or start a cross-community effort to build support for all of the schools in your state.
2. Monitor you state's board of education and or the state superintendent of education. Let them know what you think. The responsibilities of these people vary from state to state. But in many states matters of curriculum, textbooks, teacher requirements, and testing are set or influenced by the state board and/or superintendent. Be aware of what they are doing and let them know what you believe is in the best interests of the children of your state.
3. Support access to higher education in your state. Policies of colleges and universities in the state are often determined by yet a different legal entity that is independent of the state school board or even the legislature. These boards often monitor and influence policies related to admissions, tuition, and so on. Let them know that you believe in admissions and scholarship policies that give students from low-income communities a fair change at a higher education.
4. Seek out and work with organized state-wide coalitions working on similar educational causes. There are sometimes organized coalitions in various states already working on the issues you're addressing locally. There are coalitions for equality in school funding, coalitions against standardized testing, and other progressive issues. For example: Ohio Coalition for Equity & Adequacy of School Funding. Using these networks can provide sources of information, strategies, talking-points, contacts, and networks.
5. Campaign for state candidates that support your positions on education.