CAIMS/Magnet Schools' conference
In the context of what follows, please note that we had a wonderful reception to our presentation at the Avon CAIMS/Learn/Magnet School conference. Among others, I had an absolute wonderful discussion with Jack Hasegawa, Bureau Chief, Office of Educational Equity. What a great guy with great passion and commitment.
Today those in attendance rose up as one at the annual CAIMS/Magnet Schools' conference -- if truth be told it was both stunning and humbling. There were tears, smiles, hugs, high-fives and good feelings all around. I just wish we could find a way to bottle the energy that people put out there when becoming committed to an idea, to a movement. Well, a movement today was reinforced in Avon, including leaders covering Connecticut, and representatives from NY and Mass. I spoke about the leadership of CSDE and referenced representatives often because of the work of our Commissioner, Fran and the dynamic team assembled in Hartford.
Those in attendance resonated to the data we showed, and responded with words that the experience was "transforming," "exhilarting," "spirtual," and "confirming." The beliefs were framed around the linkage of the mind, heart and hands that reached out to the support of schoolchildren and youth-- especially those lacking advocates. Jack quite clearly helped support the words of Toni Morrison, who stated at the Aspen Institute that "We don't have the current Gandhi, the current Mandela, the [MLK], the one who will say it, and say it magnificiently and stirringly and beautifully, on a large, political level." Jack's point being that the younger generations lack the mobilizing factor of the civil rights movement, those stirrings are hidden and seemingly removed from the daily challenges faced in the world. We all know they must be renewed.
With data that can strip ideology of its influence over public policy, with publications such as "Voices from the Middle," Teaching All the Children and Aspen's "Family Economics: Work and Wealth in the New Economy (each given to those in attendance today), and with the leadership that you and other likeminded leaders bring to education reform, we have the ingredients which will address those who continue to buy into the theories of The Bell Curve, and the voices which argue for an intellectual superior race. Please continue to tell your stories of student achievement against all odds, please write about your experiences and please continue your advocacy, with renewed commitment to American fairness, human dignity, and full equality under the body of law that leaders have created for our America.
Please see two articles juxtapositioned to balance the dialogue. The Aspen piece is taken directly from their website and suggests the commitment of this nonpartisian organization which strives to work toward social justice and human rights. The "Forbes" piece is just a reminder of the challenges a diverse country faces.
Thanks,
Eric
Today those in attendance rose up as one at the annual CAIMS/Magnet Schools' conference -- if truth be told it was both stunning and humbling. There were tears, smiles, hugs, high-fives and good feelings all around. I just wish we could find a way to bottle the energy that people put out there when becoming committed to an idea, to a movement. Well, a movement today was reinforced in Avon, including leaders covering Connecticut, and representatives from NY and Mass. I spoke about the leadership of CSDE and referenced representatives often because of the work of our Commissioner, Fran and the dynamic team assembled in Hartford.
Those in attendance resonated to the data we showed, and responded with words that the experience was "transforming," "exhilarting," "spirtual," and "confirming." The beliefs were framed around the linkage of the mind, heart and hands that reached out to the support of schoolchildren and youth-- especially those lacking advocates. Jack quite clearly helped support the words of Toni Morrison, who stated at the Aspen Institute that "We don't have the current Gandhi, the current Mandela, the [MLK], the one who will say it, and say it magnificiently and stirringly and beautifully, on a large, political level." Jack's point being that the younger generations lack the mobilizing factor of the civil rights movement, those stirrings are hidden and seemingly removed from the daily challenges faced in the world. We all know they must be renewed.
With data that can strip ideology of its influence over public policy, with publications such as "Voices from the Middle," Teaching All the Children and Aspen's "Family Economics: Work and Wealth in the New Economy (each given to those in attendance today), and with the leadership that you and other likeminded leaders bring to education reform, we have the ingredients which will address those who continue to buy into the theories of The Bell Curve, and the voices which argue for an intellectual superior race. Please continue to tell your stories of student achievement against all odds, please write about your experiences and please continue your advocacy, with renewed commitment to American fairness, human dignity, and full equality under the body of law that leaders have created for our America.
Please see two articles juxtapositioned to balance the dialogue. The Aspen piece is taken directly from their website and suggests the commitment of this nonpartisian organization which strives to work toward social justice and human rights. The "Forbes" piece is just a reminder of the challenges a diverse country faces.
Thanks,
Eric
posted by Eric J. Cooper at 3:37 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home