Community in Action: Race and Education – Closing the Opportunity Gap

Race and education are enormous topics from the history of denied access to education to people of color, segregation of schools, involuntary state residential “schooling” of indigenous children, and today’s debate on critical race theory in curriculum. This month’s Community in Action event will focus on equity in preK-12 education and closing the Opportunity Gap. For years, the education system in the U.S. tracked an “achievement gap” between white students and students of color. In our event, we will look at why this is a false assumption and that there isn’t a disparity in achievement, but rather an opportunity. Join us for a discussion on how we can create change in areas including:

• Children’s health and preschool education
• Equitable and adequate school funding
• Providing a broad and rich curriculum
• Supporting teachers as professionals
• Building on the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of students
• Building stable and diverse communities
• Promoting enriching learning outside of school

We will explore examples where states have re-appropriated education funding focused on equity and positive outcomes, and talk candidly about how we can support scholars of color by giving them confidence and skills to successfully navigate their worlds as adults.