The Elephant in the Room: Why Race Still Matters in Education Reform Partners for Developing Futures

Partners in Pursuit of Excellence “People feel uncomfortable talking about racial issues that if they express things, they will characterized in a way that’s not fair. I think that there is still a need for a dialogue about things racial things racial that we’ve not engaged in.” - Eric Holder United States Attorney General

Welcome/Introductions Please share: Name Name of your school and Location “And How are Your Children?” Share evidence of excellence at your school/s

“People feel uncomfortable talking about racial issues that if they express things, they will characterized in a way that’s not fair. I think that there is still a need for a dialogue about things ra things racial that we’ve not engaged in.” Eric Holder U.S. Attorney General Purpose of Convening Conference Framework Race, the Story of Self Race, the Story of Now Race, the Story of Us

Conference Outcomes Launch an in-depth dialogue about race in education reform Establish a shared meaning and language: excellence, equity, access, quality schools, best practices etc.. Develop network of relationships and alliances with other leaders in the field Unpack and define the work to be done in individual communities Leaders will commit to an contextual plan of action in his/her community

“Color Blind or Color Brave?” Essential Question: Why does race continue to be the “elephant in the room” in society and in education reform? Guiding Questions: What has been the significant impact that race has played in education?

Portrait of Inequality African American and Hispanic Children in America Poverty Poverty destroys childhood and can destroy children. In 2011, 16.1 million children –more than one in five – were poor. Hispanic children are nearly three times as likely to be poor (34.1%) as White children (12.5%). Black children are over three times as likely to be poor (38.8%) as White children (12.5%). Hispanic children are two-and-a-half times as likely as White children to live in extreme poverty. Extreme poverty is defined as half of the poverty level or less ($11,511 for a family of four in 2011). Black children are nearly three-and-a-half times as likely as White children to live in extreme poverty.

Portrait of Inequality African American and Hispanic Children in America The Achievement Gap Hispanic and Black children continue to fall further and further behind as they progress through school: In 4th grade 82% of Hispanic public school students cannot read at grade level and 76% cannot do math at grade level. In 4th grade 84% of Black public school students cannot read at grade level and 83% cannot do math at grade level. In 8th grade 82% of Hispanic public school students cannot read at grade level and 80% cannot do math at grade level. In 8th grade 86% of Black public school students cannot read at grade level and 87% cannot do math at grade level. Hispanic students score lower than all other racial/ethnic groups except Black students on the ACT and SAT college entrance exams. Black students score the lowest of any racial/ethnic student group on the ACT and SAT college entrance exams. 66% of Hispanic students graduate from high school within four years of starting 9th grade compared to 82% of White students. 64% of Black students graduate from high school within four years of starting 9th grade.

Color Blind or Color Brave Let’s Talk! View Ted Talk – Mellody Hobson 15 Table Discussion 15 minutes Group Discussion

Courageous Conversations About Race Race: the Story of Self Race: the Story of Now Race: the Story of Us

Moving Forward How will we have a conversation about the role of race, culture and reform?

The Challenge “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” James Baldwin How will YOU react when facing the elephant in the room? What will you do to change what you are facing?

Final Word “I used to think and now I think…”