Media Advisory
Feb. 6, 2024
Contact:
Kayla Mattas
765.721.2833 (mobile)
Parents to deliver petition signed by 1,000 IPS residents calling for district to grow top schools for Black and Brown students
INDIANAPOLIS – A group of public-school parents will hold a press conference at 12:00 p.m. on February 7 to present their petition, which has gathered over 1,000 signatures, to Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) leaders. Parents and concerned community members are calling on the IPS board to direct the administration to deliver a detailed plan by the summer to scale school models – including public charter schools — that are closing the opportunity gap.
During the press conference, public school parents Gregory Henson, Irma Perdomo and Susan Sargent will join Believe Circle City student Elazia Davison to deliver the petition and tell their personal stories about why elevating Black and Brown student achievement is so important to them. The parent speakers represent advocates from Stand for Children Indiana and EmpowerED Families.
WHEN: Wednesday, February 7 | 12 p.m.
WHERE: The John Morton Finney Center for Educational Services, 120 E Walnut St
Parents began gathering signatures last fall after reviewing state ILEARN data. In October, the IPS board members were presented with similar data regarding ILEARN scores in and around the IPS district. IPS’ data report highlighted the top schools in the city when it comes to proficiency for Black and Latino students.
According to the October IPS board presentation:
- The district has only one school in the top quartile in Marion County when it comes to Black student performance on ILEARN (both ELA and Math) when excluding the gifted and talented school, where children must test into;
- IPS has no schools in the top quartile in the county when looking at pass rates for Latino students for ILEARN (both ELA and Math); and
- IPS has three of the six top high schools in Marion County as measured by SAT performance.
- All top performing schools are IPS innovation network schools, which advocates believe highlights the benefits of partnerships with high-quality schools in the charter sector.
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About Stand for Children Indiana: Stand is a unique catalyst for education equity and racial justice, to create a brighter future for us all.
About Better Together: The Better Together campaign is supported and driven by Indianapolis families who strive to unite IPS and charter schools for the benefit of our kids and community.
About EmpowerED Families: EmpowerED Families connects with Indianapolis parents, families, community and school leaders to help build parent power and to activate change.
