Education Reform
Education Reform
By Rosalinda Sanchez
During this devastating pandemic, social inequities, including education reform, continue to be at the forefront of heated and controversial discussions. Some of those discussions require us to look back on our history with an eye toward accountability.
In 2009, Alum Rock families launched an awareness campaign by sporting t-shirts that read simply “70%” to reflect the percentage of Alum Rock eighth grade students who scored below state reading and math tests. Families wore those shirts to a school district board meeting to advocate and push for necessary changes. That action kicked off a larger educational reform movement within the east side that in the short term, led to a district pledge of action and accountability. Looking at where we are now, makes it overwhelmingly clear that many of the promises made by the district were not kept.
“Today, we find ourselves trying to navigate an even more inequitable educational terrain in the era of COVID-19, and our participation in that push for education reform is essential.”
Reflecting back on my own experiences as a student within San Jose schools in the 1980s, along with my experience as a parent, an arts and education professional and advocate, and former Parent Teacher Association President, I am reminded of the power of parents organized in their power. Without engaged parents of color, we leave our students at the mercy of a system not built with their brown skin and brown social challenges in mind. My parents were hardworking immigrants with a total of four jobs between them. My father was so busy working that he did not have time to be engaged in our education. My mother, even more overwhelmed with responsibilities, and as a non-English speaking parent, left the decisions to us. My siblings and I filled out school paperwork and she signed. My parents put their faith in the American school system hoping for the best.