Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 March 2001 — Page 3

FRIDAY, MARCH 9,2001

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A3

Hoosiers join national movement for education options

BAEO of

Indiana makes presence

official

By BARATO BRITT Recorder Correspondent 'Milwaukee - The drive for increased options in education for poor and minority children hi^s officially become a national movement. .Over 600 African Americans from across the country converged onto Milwaukee. Wisconsin last week for the first annual meeting of the Black Alliance Educational Options (BAEO.) a new group assembled to promote arid advocate for parental choice and other educational options that stimulate a parent's ability to gaftn access to quality education. Currently, the group is engaged in an aggressive media campaign to jhform parents of issues and benefits of school choice. The meeting was conducted in conjunction with the Third Annual Symposium on Options for African Americans, which exposes participants to the various options that are currently available around the nation. This year’s theme was The New Agenda for Black Children: Parental Choice, and is designed to network individuals who have bought into the notion of school choice in the effort to bolter the national voice and make the Black presence felt in the dialogue. The largest show of national support thus far, event organizers believes the movement for choice gained an important shot in the arm from a most important community faction. And. as the 1 Black Alliance continues to strengthen its membership, the grbUp believes that despite the recent voucher losses in California and Michigan, interest in school choice is alive and well. "This is a growing movement,’' said Howard Fuller, director of Marquette University’s Institute for the Transformation of Learning and BAEO president. “When we started, people said that this couldn't be done. Well, we’re jujil getting started. J‘There is nothing more painful thfm seeing our children mjseducated,” Fuller added. “It’s a felain that none of us should allow to go on another day. How lolig will we tolerate this? BAEO w|jl do everything to make sure thjilt we fight, because this has gcji to stop now." I^or this growing national movement, the need for BAEO. according to its board, is rooted in the fundamental principle that all children deserve access to a quality education. ~ "T’heirs is a belief that, currently, school choice is widespread, but only if one has the

financial means to practice it. Too often, they add, that option is not available to poor parents. This lack of empowerment contributes to the state of education in low-income communities, where children are failing at an alarming rate. The state of the Indianapolis urban community supports this notion as the state’s largest urban school district. Indianapolis Public Schools, continues to yield test scores lower than the state average. However, despite a consistent problematic trend across the nation, the issue of choice for poor families remains hotly contested and debated. Ironically, among the African-American political leadership, there remains much opposition to this

issue.

“We must give poor parents the power to choose schools, whether it’s public, private, nonsectarian or religious.” added Fuller, who was formerly the superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, which currently is home to the nation s largest school choice program. "The issue in America is not choice, the issue here is who has it. We tell poor parents you have to stay because to let them leave will destroy the institution. My response is ‘what's first? The institution or the children."’ "We clearly understand that what we stand for is opposed,” he said. “But we also know that we’re on the right side of history. We’ve discovered our mission and now it’s time to forge ahead.’’ According to Dolores Fridge. BAEO vice president and associate vice chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and - University’s Equal Opportunity Division. BAEO has created national buy in for several reasons. One of the most common misconceptions of the school choice movement, she said, is that African Americans are not speaking for themselves on this

issue.

Additionally, the bipartisan complexion of its membership also debunks the notion that the move for choice it led by the right wing. But most importantly. Fridge believes that the disparity of children being failed made this conversation inevitable. “This has moved from over a half dozen people in one room to over 600 people," she said. “It’s amazing, the numbers are growing everyday. This is not a partisan issue, this is about the children. We have agreed that this movement is about making sure our children are in environments where they will be edu-

cated.

“We no longer need caretakers. we can take care of ourselves.’’ Fridge added. “If we don’t make this happen, who else do the children have? We cannot

make excuses anymore.” In Indiana, several individuals are taking this mission head on. Over 70 community leaders, parents and educators attended the first meeting, and are working on the development of a state chapter of the Black Alliance. According to several parents, the need for this organization is as apparent as the fact that only 16 percent of sixth graders in IPS passed both portions of the ISTEP. For them, their charge is simple; desperate times call for desperate measures. “This fight will make us a stronger community.” said Marie Gladney, a parent who says she entered the fight after learning that her own experiences within the public school system were not adequate. “If we don’t get on our jobs, our children will continue to get left behind. We’re willing to stand up. all of us. from all across the country." "Regardless of your stance on the issues, you cannot deny the facts," added Jackie Cissell. Community Relations Director for the Greater Educational Opportunities Foundation and Board member of the Black Alliance. "Parents are mad, and we are demanding better. That’s what this trip was about, to help us figure out what we can do as a community to change this horrific trend. “These people are the ones currently experiencing these problems, they know first hand what is happening to our children." Cissell added. "But too often, they are left out of the conversation. We’re working to . change that." Among the local chapter's top priorities. BAEO of Indiana will aggressively seek out membership. while working to make the local dialogue on school choice inclusive to those that are ih the most need. Given the current political climate, the group's stands to gain the ability to be a key player in the local school choice move-

ment.

Currently, the Indiana General Assembly is debating the issue of charter schools, public schools of choice that allow increased innovation and community involvement in curriculum and operations and are freed from the regulations that are apparent in traditional public schools. Two bills have made their ways through the Senate and House; however, sides continue to differ greatly on specifics of the potential legislation. A bill allowing for intra-district public school choice has also reached debate in the General Assembly. Barato Britt is the Communications Director for the GEO Foundation, an organization that promotes school choice issues in Indiana, New Jersey and Colo-

rado.

Over 30 Indy parents, community leaders and educators led a state delegation to examine school choice in action last week. A delegation from Gary also joined the state delegation.

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