Jennifer Cheatham and community can support racial equity

Rachel Krinsky:

f you are tired of all the talk about the achievement gap in our school district, take heart. Newly appointed Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham's entry plan is a promising beginning.

From racial disparities in academics to the race politics in the School Board primary election, the feeling of frustration has been palpable. The YWCA Madison suggests the reason this talk hasn't created much tangible progress is that these issues are part of a larger system of racial inequalities. Individual strategies, action plans or initiatives are less likely to be successful if they are not part of a larger racial equity strategy.

So we are delighted to see Cheatham's plan is based on values including commitment to equity and systemic improvement. If our community is serious about racial equity in education, we will join Cheatham in learning what kids of color need to be successful, and then making those resources and solutions the priority.

We will also consider every education-related decision and discussion with racial equity in mind. We will think holistically about Dane County's future as a more racially diverse community and welcome and retain professionals, including educators, of color.

Let's be part of a community-wide commitment to equity, and let's remember that we're doing it for the kids.

Related: And, so it continues.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at March 26, 2013 2:28 AM
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