Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 December 2002 — Page 5

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13,2002

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE AS

EXCHANGE

► Continutd from Pago 1

“So,” Taylor says matter-of-factly, “if we can’t borrow, then we shouldn’t bank there.” Included on the schedule of events for the exchange was a motivating and inspirational speech by Taylor as well as a variety of sessions. Hie sessions enabled participants to gain knowledgeable information on financing, bonding and insurance capacity and

procurements, to name a few. At the end of the conference, Duke said he hoped participants “left with a little inspiration, motivation and a reaffirmation that going into business is definitely something that they made the right decision to do. (I also) hope they went away having met some key people that they didn’t have an opportunity to speak with prior to the event”

NBCSL education policy big on funding, short on choice

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By BARATO BRITT After attending this week’s town hall meeting on education, an event held in conjunction with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators’ 26th annual conference, it became apparent to me that my thoughts on education reform were all wrong. Proper education reform apparently is not about issues that stimulate a low-income parent’s ability to choose the environment in which their children are educated. There is no place for concepts like charter schools and vouchers in this debate, if Monday’s town hall meeting was indication, those initiatives are nothing more than well conceived attempts to further damage a system of education that can barely graduate half of our children in the first place. Besides, according to many of NBCSL’s membership, these initiatives divert attention and resources away from the real problem. No, there is only one reason we continue to see alarming educational outcomes in areas where low income and minority children predominate: therejust isn’t enough money. Approximately $9,000per child just isn’t enough to educate a child in an urban public school nowadays. This continues to be the prevailing belief among many in this group, which happens to be one of the most important in

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this education reform dialogue. African-American state legislators are critical policy makers in any movement for education reform since major decisions on changes to the education system occur at the state level. These individuals also largely represent districts that are struggling with low scholastic achievement and low levels of parental and community involvement in our schools. The NBCSL has, at the very least, moved the conversation on reform forward, via its position paper, Closing the Achievement Gap: Improving Educational Outcomes for AfricanAmerican Children. Oddly enough, its author. Sen. CJ. Prentiss, D-Ohio, hails from a state with one of the nation’s largest voucher programs, a program that was ruled constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court last year. The NBCSL staunchly opposes this and other choice programs, although there remains considerable support for such initiatives in the African-American community. The intention of Monday’s town hall meeting, I believe, was to gain community insight on the direction Black legislators should take with regards to education reform. Too often, however, factual debate on real reform gave way to rhetoric and rallying cries, such as “we need higher standards, high performing schools and quality teachers.” With all due respect to this important group of policy makers, such ideas should go without saying. The question remains, how is this achieved within the confines of an institution that has systematically failed a large population for reasons more than funding. • ^ Today’s system of education

has contributed to the creation recommendations the NBCSL of a culture in which compla- believes necessary to change cency has replaced enthusiasm, education trends in urban comthere is no accountability and in munities. Specifically, these “iswhich leaders can make excuses lands” are traditional public

about the shortfalls of public education, at the same time telling their constituents that there is no excuse for these failures.

schools, charter schools and many urban private schools. The funding argument also neglects the issue of the need for

Lost in all of the support for parents in these areas to become the obvious were the- actual more engaged in the educational numbers. There have been process. By most accounts, countless funding increases to stimulated parental involveurban public schools, yielding ment leads to positive outcomes, little to no systemic academic yet because this position leads gains. Federal funding for edu- to conversations on school cation is reaching unprec- choice, it is often neglected edented levels, yet this has not among these legislators, equated to greater educational The direction of education outcomes among our most dis- reform for low income and mi-

advantaged children.

Where choice initiatives are concerned, increased funding is as legitimate a concern, but it is an excuse unaccepted among state policy makers. Indiana’s new charter schools, for ex-

nority students lies squarely in the capacities and talents of the members ofNBCSL Their votes largely shape the deliveiy system in which these kids are educated. While each of us has a responsibility to help change the

ample, receive less funding per system of public education for studentthan do traditional pub- the better, African-American lie schools, yet if they prove un- state legislators are the able to meet the state’s high aca- gatekeepers by which real redemic standards, they will close, form will be achieved. This is why these new schools One thing is absolutely cerexist, and this is why there is tain, as aptly referenced this considerable demand for these week by Sen. Prentiss, “to whom new options among African- mudiisgiven, much is required.” American families. Let us continue to require that To clarify, the NBCSL posi- this group more carefully examtion does have merit, as funding ine options and initiatives that inequities are common in com- may go against the political parison to urban and suburban grain, but may yield the outdistricts. But to argue that more comes for which we all desire,

money simply will repair this

problem neglects the countless Barato Britt is the communiachievements of educators that cations director for the Greater have exceeded expectations in Educational Opportunities many urban school districts de- Foundation, sponsor of the 21st spite funding disparities. These Century Charter School in In“the islands in a sea of medioc- dianapolis. He is also the execurity,” as stated this week by U.S. tive director of the Indiana Secretary of Education Rod Chapter of the Black Alliance Paige, have attracted quality for Educational w Optionf teacher provided individual- (BAEO). Each organization ized attention and focus on rig- worksto promote school choice orous academic standards; each issues in the community*

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Thank You to the 93,482 voters who supported me on November 5th for Marion County Auditor. You know what this County needs and I appreciate your support! I’ll keep working for you!

I AC Kill NYTES

U.S. Secretary of Education,

Roderick Paige

Some parents of I PS students expressed interest in how the Act could prevent students from felling through the cracks, as ► Continued from Pag. 1

Rep. Vernon G. Smith

NBCSL

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Paige assured parents that their children would be allowed to get the best education possible for them and reminded

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out the proper funding?

“No, absolutely not,” said Paige. Education spending is growing faster than any other

federal department.

There was also a town hall

meeting held were members of those present that the act inthe NBCSL and Secretary Paige eluded everyone and NO child told the community what they would be left behind, had informed the press. It was He also commented on fundalso a chance for Indianapolis ing and let people know he sent citizens to voice their specific the proposal for money personconcerns over where they felt ally to legislature, and it would change was needed in the sdiool not decrease nor was it flat fundsystems. ing for the upcoming years.

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