Gwen Samuel, President & Founder, Connecticut Parents Union
WASHINGTON, D.C. | May 16, 2012 CT Parents Union Founder Gwen Samuel Testifies Before Congress : The Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, chaired by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), today held a hearing to examine state and local efforts to increase parental engagement and options. http://rishawnbiddle.org/video/ctpu_congressional_parentpowerhearing_05162012.mp4
3.28.12 Stan Simpson Show Education Advocate Groups Talk With Commissioner Watch CTPU Gwen Samuel, CT Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor and Conncan's Executive Director 07.33 http://www.ctnow.com/news/stansimpson/
Thank You To All Who Participated in the March 14, 2012
The Struggle Continues Education Panel Discussion w. Bernard Center For Women
Parents & Communities High Quality Education Rally w. Special Guest Kelley Williams - Bolar, Akron Ohio, Michelle Bernard, Bernard Center for Women and Michelle Rhee - StudentsFirst
"One in four students in America drops out
of high school—and in the minority
community; it’s closer to one in two. We’re
sending 1.2 million kids into the streets
each year without an education. It’s
economically unsustainable and it’s morally
unacceptable." - US Secretary of Education,
Arne Duncan
Thank you to all who participated in the 2011 "Parent Express" Bus Tour Experience!
Lawmakers Must Reform School Residency Laws
Connecticut and states across the county must reform school residency laws /zip code educational practices to ensure parent’s are able to send their children to safe and high quality schools when there are not any other safe and high quality school options in their neighborhood!
January 9, 2012, Connecticut Parent’s Union hosted press conference with Akron Ohio, Ms. Kelley Williams - Bolar of the newly formed Ohio Parent’s Union, Mr. Matt Prewett, Texas Parent’s Union, Mr. Kenneth Campbell, President of the Black Alliance For Educational Options and the author of the California Parent Trigger law and California Director of Democrats for Education Reform Senator Gloria Romero (Ret.) to discuss the need to reform and end Zip Code education in areas like Beach Park, Illinois.
Beach Park, Illinois is the home of the nation’s fourth case of a parent, Ms Annette Callahan, accused of stealing a “free public education” through, what CTPU alleges to be, unconstitutional School Residency laws, due to the very "selective selection" process.
Context:
An analysis of the State of Connecticut
using almost any indicator of socio-economic
progress quickly reveals stark
contradictions in the fortunes of its
residents. Connecticut, one of the richest
states in the nation is also home to some of
the nation’s poorest cities; it is home to
some of the most prestigious Universities
and schools in the nation, yet its academic
achievement gap is among the highest in the
nation, observable between rich and poor
students, and between white students and
students of color. The socio-economically
disadvantaged in Connecticut’s cities tend
to be people of color, trapped in schools
that persistently fail to meet their need
for a quality education; these residents are
also likely to be underemployed, or lacking
in job skills that would provide a livable
wage, consequently they tend be
under-insured, or uninsured. CTPU will
partner with communities and key
stakeholders to affect sustainable change
through thoughtful, responsive public
policy, re-allocation and application of
critical resources, and the empowerment of
residents to become engaged in reforming
their communities.
More than one-third of children from poor
communities enter kindergarten classes
already behind their peers in reading; a
child who is not reading by the end of first
grade has only a one-in-eight chance of ever
becoming a proficient reader. America ranks
in the bottom third among developed nations
in terms of student performance, 25th in
math and 21st in science. We fall behind in
nearly every other subject as well.
Needless to say, the U.S. public school
system and economy is in crisis! Providing
resources and access to the decision making
table is paramount as America attempts to
stabilize the economy, unemployment rate,
and educational achievement gap. Across
America, there is a need for increased
levels of civic engagement from parents,
family and community. Therefore, parents,
guardians, and families need an organized
power base that can level the playing field
within the public policy arena.
Note: Every child will not attend college
but that does not mean they should not have
access to a college ready academic
experience!
Why is our emphasis on parent & family
engagement? A child’s parents, family members and
community are his or her first teachers.
Today’s children are tomorrow’s workforce
and the role of the parent to the future of
America's workforce is critical.
This important role must be recognized and
validated within educational systems.
Parents and guardians must be able to
provide their children with all of the
support systems necessary for them to
succeed including: equal access to high
quality educational, a safe and healthy home
and school environment to learn and grow,
and equal access to programs that promote
the well-being of family members. Healthy
children come from healthy families and
communities; and, healthy children thrive in
school!
Research clearly states that a parents’
active engagement within their child’s
learning is the most important long-term
influence on academic success and behavior.
Parental engagement goes well beyond being
engaged in activities in and around school –
it is about parents and effective teachers
working together to support the child’s
learning in the classroom and, most
importantly, in the home.
Refer a Parent,
Grandparent, Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent,
Mentor, and Role Model...
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