Current Events Archives

Spotlight: Parents Work to Improve Education

Current Events | 05/9/2017

Amariah Tyler Digital Strategist & Memphis Operations Coordinator

Momentum 500 Hopes to Drive Student Success

Based on ACT scores, the state of Tennessee considers just 7 percent of graduating Shelby County Schools students ready for college. Additionally, the Memphis child poverty rate is 43% and the city also has the highest rate of opportunity youth (children ages 16-24 who are not in school or working) in the country.

To truly improve our education system, achievement rates and outcomes for students, parents must have a seat at the table and be involved in the ongoing movement to help more children succeed in school and beyond.

Stand for Children member and Team Captain, Bernice Martin, recognizes the importance of supporting student success and works alongside other parents to maximize individual and collective impact for the benefit of students in Memphis schools.

A retired grandmother of five, Mrs. Martin joined Stand for Children in September 2015 and became a leader within the organization earlier this year. She volunteers her time as a team captain, training others parents on how to amplify their voices for greater influence and rallying them to advocate for effective solutions to address education challenges that many students in Memphis currently face. She also runs a girls ministry at her church and serves as a mentor for young women.

Mrs. Martin recently shared reflections on why she joined Stand and her experiences over the past two years.

Mrs. Martin with her grandchildren

WHY DID YOU JOIN STAND?

My best friend ran for School Board so I was already somewhat involved in education prior to joining Stand, but I became more involved because I noticed a lot of changes occurring within our school system. I’m passionate about children and their future, and I liked Stand’s mission to advocate for all and not just some. Making sure my grandchildren get a high quality education is one of my top priorities. I advocate not only for them, but for all children being affected by education changes taking place.

With my management background, I also felt like I had a unique set of skills to offer to that cause. So many parents don’t have the skills and training to effectively advocate. And often they don’t have time to follow what’s happening in our legislature- they are busy enough with work and trying to get their kids to school on time every day.

So with Stand, it is like parents now have an information hub to stay on top of what’s happening in the schools and in the political arena that may impact their children, and a place where they can learn how to get involved.

WHY SHOULD OTHER PARENTS JOIN STAND AND MOMENTUM 500?

We are building an army to fight for our students and we need more people to volunteer and who are willing to get in the ring with us. Stand offers classes to teach parents how to advocate – how to make a difference – and also gives opportunities for parents to learn soft skills to speak on behalf of their child.

When I joined I honestly was hesitant because after retiring, I didn’t want it to feel like a job. But I learned that advocating is sometimes just about showing up to a meeting or event – even if you aren’t the one speaking on behalf of children – or it could be just your presence gives other parents and children the encouragement they need to know someone is in their corner.

WHY IS MORE PARENT INVOLVEMENT NEEDED IN SCHOOLS NOW?

Now is the time. There is a lot happening. A lot of changes are being made (to school systems, education policy, standards) and we don’t know what the outcomes will be or what else may come down the pipeline. So we need to be ready. We need to have our voices heard and considered in decision-making that affects students and schools. We are voters. The right people aren’t always in right positions to do what’s best and with Momentum 500, we can have an army in position to influence them and hold them accountable; or be ready to move them and vote them out if needed.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PARENTS WHO MAY BE HESTIANT ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED?

What is holding you back? In Stand, there are opportunities for all to advocate and we meet you where you are. Get in where you fit in because we are on a quest to make change!

Everyone may not want to speak out or be a team captain, or meet with legislators, but education advocacy starts with you just making a commitment to support children and their best interests.

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JOIN MOMENTUM 500 NOW!

Momentum 500 is an initiative led by Stand for Children to form a coalition of parents in Tennessee who share a common goal to improve education quality and outcomes. The Momentum 500 Coalition works alongside parents, school leaders and legislators to enhance academic achievement, school performance, and influence education policy decisions that affect students in Tennessee.

As Memphis Operations Coordinator and Digital Strategist, Amariah works to improve the education system and schools in Tennessee.

Looking Back to Move Forward

Access to High-Quality Schools | 02/23/2017

Lauren Williams-Batiste Parent Organizer

In February, we highlight the contributions that African Americans have made to develop and advance our country and society. Each year during black history month, individuals are remembered and celebrated for their achievements; breaking barriers; and overcoming numerous obstacles. Despite advancements made, African Americans still confront inequities and face discrimination in employment, education, and other areas that affect quality of life. Perhaps the most important area to address to move forward is education – as the children of today prepare to become our leaders for tomorrow.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela

To ensure a fairer and equitable model of education for black and brown students in America, we must all answer the call to intentionally dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline that damages, disables and devastates our nation’s youth. This transformative work is essential to our ultimate freedom and liberation.

Often, the first form of discrimination or state violence black and brown youth suffer is inequitable education and spatial segregation. [State Violence can be described as the policies and practices of repression and control used against marginalized groups by government or legal institutions. The damaging and debilitating effects of state violence can be seen in the courts, workplaces and/or schools.]

Black children and families have been violently indoctrinated into a system in America where learning means learning to stay in your place, devoid of question or complaint. In 1961, a group of courageous youth known as the Memphis 13 challenged this notion by becoming the first to integrate all white schools in Memphis, where historically learning environments and instructional resources are superior. While the precedent for students transitioning from schools that were under resourced and deemed unconstitutional was set in the 1960s, today, inequities in predominantly white and predominantly black schools and resulting achievement rates are still prevalent and striking cause for concern and action.Across America, urban schools are occupied with school resource officers and educators who sometimes confuse typical, adolescent misbehavior with criminality. Zero tolerance policies that lead to disproportionate & automatic suspensions as well as aerosol weapons such as Freeze + P and pepper spray invade hallways and classrooms.

The school-to-prison pipeline results in suspensions of black youth at three times the rate of their white peers, long hours in court opposed to the classroom, and a greater possibility of having a lifelong involvement with the criminal justice system. Throughout the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the fear of the adolescent “superpredator” spurred law makers and school districts to adopt the “zero tolerance” rhetoric into their discipline structures, policies and procedures. By the year 2000, schools were suspending more than 3 million students per year.

In order to begin to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline, we must demand discipline models, policies and practices that help, not hurt students, especially our most vulnerable.

Our children’s black and brown lives will not truly matter until our halls are free of aerosol weapons, order- maintenance policing in schools is dissolved, equitable funding reaches the classrooms and zero tolerance policies are no more.

This is the type of work that Stand for Children is engaged in year-round. Showing up, speaking out and advocating to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, graduate from high school prepared for, and with access to college or career training.

We stand in solidarity with our ancestors who learned to read and write while facing death, mutilation, and forced permanent separation from family.

We stand in solidarity with politicians of African descent who led the fight for universalized public education during the era of Reconstruction.We stand in solidarity with Septima Clark and others who developed Citizenship Schools.

We stand in solidarity with SNCC who birthed Freedom Schools during the 1964 Freedom Summer in Mississippi. In the spirit of educator, activist and youth organizer, Ella Baker:

“In order for us as poor and oppressed people to become part of a society that is meaningful, the system under which we now exist has to be radically changed… It means facing a system that does not lend its self to your needs and devising means by which you change that system.”

Access to a quality school is not equivalent to access to a quality or equitable education. Despite the fact quality schools are essential, they are only a fraction of the equation not the entire equation. We must and can do more to level the playing field and change the odds for current students and future generations – especially for those students who look like me.

Stand for Children on Live At 9!

Current Events | 01/6/2017

Amariah Tyler Digital Strategist & Memphis Operations Coordinator

With the recent graduation of dozens of parents from the Stand University for Parents program in Memphis, City Director, Cardell Orrin, and parent leader, Amber Johnson-Mitchell sat down with WREG News Channel 3’s Marybeth Conley and Alex Coleman for a segment on how parents can be active and involved in their child’s success.

Cardell and Amber shared parenting tips and ways that parents can get involved in their child’s education process by being or becoming their biggest advocate.

“It takes a village and we all have to be on the same team—parents, teachers, administration—because the goal is for our children to succeed. So if we all come together and we’re all on the same plan, on the same team, we can achieve anything.” – Amber Mitchell-Johnson

Watch the video for more tips and information.

Cardell and Amber shared parenting tips and ways that parents can get involved in their child’s education process by being or becoming their biggest advocate.

“It takes a village and we all have to be on the same team—parents, teachers, administration—because the goal is for our children to succeed. So if we all come together and we’re all on the same plan, on the same team, we can achieve anything.” – Amber Mitchell-Johnson

Watch the video for more tips and information.

Students Read Their Way Through the Summer

Current Events | 08/2/2016

Amariah Tyler Digital Strategist & Memphis Operations Coordinator

Children in Memphis have spent their summers challenging themselves to read. Stand celebrated their achievements on Friday by treating them to prizes, books, and school supplies at a Back to School celebration at the Hattiloo Theatre.

Roughly 61% of 3rd graders in Shelby County were not reading on grade level last year. Many children lose as much as 2-3 months of reading and spelling skills over the summer while they are not in school. Over the course of elementary school, this can put them the equivalent of nearly 3 grade levels behind their peers.

Students taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge followed weekly reading activities, attended reading events, and kept track of their progress. Denerio, a student at Leadership Preparatory Charter School, read 44 books this summer! He was very proud of his accomplishment and hopes to read 1,000 books by the end of the year.

Thanks to everyone who participated, the Shelby County Schools Family and Community Engagement Division, and the Hattiloo Youth Theatre for their stunning spoken word performances!

OK Voters, Now Let’s Get INformation

Elections | 07/13/2016

Nadira Freeman State Operations Director

The Tennessean calls the Nashville school board race the most important local election of 2016, because “improving the quality of education among all the Metro Nashville public schools is the most pressing issue facing the city.”

We couldn’t agree more.

So you know what to do voters. Get INformation.

Early Voting: Friday, July 15 – Saturday, July 30

EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE
Sonny West Auditorium @ Howard Office Building
700 2nd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210

ALL EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS OPEN THURSDAY, JULY 21 THROUGH SATURDAY, JULY 30

Belle Meade City Hall | 4705 Harding Pike, Nashville
Bellevue Library | 720 Baugh Rd, Nashville
Bordeaux Library | 4000 Clarksville Pike, Nashville
Casa Azafran Comm. Ctr. | 2195 Nolensville Pike, Nashville
Edmondson Pike Library | 5501 Edmondson Pike, Nashville
Goodlettsville Comm. Ctr. | 200 Memorial Dr, Goodlettsville
Green Hills Library | 3701 Benham Ave, Nashville
Hermitage Library | 3700 James Kay Ln, Hermitage
Madison Library | 610 Gallatin Pike S, Madison
Sonny West Auditorium | 700 2nd Ave S, Nashville
Southeast Library | 5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy, Ste 201, Antioch

General Election: Thursday, August 4

Stand for Children endorsed five candidates who are knowledgeable, experienced, and focused on the success of all students in Nashville.

Sharon Gentry (District 1)
Jane Meneely (District 3)
Miranda Christy (District 5)
Jackson Miller (District 7)
Thom Druffel (District 9)

Join us in standing up for the new leadership Nashville students need!

Back Down Memory Lane

Current Events | 05/16/2016

Amariah Tyler Digital Strategist & Memphis Operations Coordinator

This year, as Stand for Children celebrates its 20th anniversary as an organization, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on our history in Tennessee.

Since 1999, Stand Tennessee has worked to improve schools across Tennessee and achieve legislative and electoral victories for all students across the state. With affiliate offices in both Nashville and Memphis—founded in 2001 and 2005 respectively—we have actively worked to organize the collective power of parents, teachers, and community members to be a voice for children and make lasting changes in our education system.

Here are some of our highlights over the past 15 years:

In 2006, Stand played a pivotal role in influencing the Shelby County Commission to vote unanimously to fully fund budget requests for Memphis and Shelby County Schools.
In 2008, Stand Nashville secured the release of $100 million in lottery funds to create an “Energy Efficient Schools Initiative” resulting in significant savings to be used to maintain school facilities and build new schools.
Stand Memphis endorsed and campaigned in 2012 for the new unified school board in Shelby County. Members phone banked, canvassed, worked the polls and reached out to 30,000 likely voters and successfully won 4 out of the 7 seats on the board.
In the last two election cycles, Stand Nashville has endorsed and supported five successful candidates for the MNPS Board.
In 2012, Stand Memphis was one of the first affiliates to launch Stand UP, a 10-week course for a university of parents who want to set their children up for success. The program graduated over 200 parents across the community.
In 2013, Stand saved 42 pre-K classrooms from closure and gathered over 2000 petition signatures, benefiting 840 children state-wide.
Successfully advocated for $70 million in federal funding for pre-K in Tennessee, securing grants for both Memphis and Nashville in 2014.
This year, Stand Memphis was successful in working with Memphis charter school parents to advocate for the Shelby County Schools Board to pass a charter compact that would start to build a partnership between the district and the charter school it authorizes. In a unanimous decision, the Charter Compact was passed.

And this is just the beginning! None of these great things could have happened without the hard work and dedication of our members, community leaders, great staff, and supporters.

As we continue working in Tennessee to ensure that all children have a quality education with access to college or career training, we want you to get involved to see how you can help impact education in your community.

For learn more about Stand for Children Tennessee, visit www.stand.org/tennessee.

Memphis Summit Moves Leaders to Action

Current Events | 05/2/2016

Amariah Tyler Digital Strategist & Memphis Operations Coordinator

Stand for Children Memphis Summit Inspires Parents & Leaders to Action

Stand for Children Memphis hosted its second annual Education Action Summit on Saturday, April 30. The event, held at Playhouse on the Square, brought Stand members, parents, teachers, education and elected leaders together to discuss pertinent issues related to the state of education in Memphis, and to outline action plans to impact policy that will improve local schools.

During the half-day convening, participants were briefed on state legislative activity, Stand’s local education policy agenda, and school funding.

Guest speakers included: Tennessee State Senator Lee Harris; Tennessee State Representative Raumesh Akbari; Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner; Shelby County Schools (SCS) Commissioner Chris Caldwell; and SCS administrators Natalia Powers, Angela Carr, and Taurus Currie.

Following a series of interactive discussions with guest speakers, the Summit focus shifted to identifying specific ways for parents and residents to take action. Stand for Children Organizers facilitated group breakout sessions where participants formed plans to advocate for and influence policy decisions regarding public education.

“We designed the Summit to not just provide information, but also be a launching point into action to support the education of our children,” said Cardell Orrin, Stand for Children Memphis City Director.

“We recognize that the lack of parental involvement [in schools] can often be attributed to a lack of information and opportunities to engage. We wanted to give our members and other concerned residents a chance to learn more about the people and work that is occurring to increase local academic achievement, and help them uncover their own individual power to positively impact students and schools.“

Approximately 50 guests attended Saturday’s Education Action Summit. Among them was Zipporah Robinson, a local community leader who is passionate about supporting children.

“The nation is only as strong as its future, and that is our youth,” Robinson said.

“I realized there is a lot I don’t know and some of the statistics that I heard today from our county and school board commissioners are staggering…their presentations struck a nerve and showed me how necessary this work is. There is a real need to educate ourselves and learn how we can invoke change in our educational system(s).”

Amber Mitchell, a Stand for Children Leader at Leadership Preparatory Charter School where her son attends, was also encouraged by the Summit programming.

“It was very informative and it was nice to be around people with the same energy and passion for education advocacy,” said Robinson.

“I feel like citizens are really taking ownership now of what’s going on and willing to do their part instead of letting commissions and school boards dictate and make decisions without involving the people it really affects. We all have a role to play and everyone has a gift that they can use to help our children. In Stand, there’s room for everybody at every level to work together and to inspire others to action.

ON THE HORIZON

As a follow-up to the work at the Summit around the upcoming school funding needs, we encourage all education supporters to attend the following meetings:

SCS Budget Community Meeting
Monday, May 9, 2016
Location: Cummings Elementary
Time: 6:00 p.m.

SCS Budget Community Meeting
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Location: Dexter Elementary
Time: 6:00 p.m.

Board of Education Workshop – Budget Review
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Location: SCS Central Office Auditorium
Time: 4:00 p.m.

Board of Education – Final Budget Vote
Monday, May 16, 2016
Location: SCS Central Office Auditorium
Time: 4:00 p.m.

County Commission Education Budget Presentation
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Location: VAsco A. Smith, Jr. County Administration Building
160 N. Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103
Time: 8:30 a.m.

Stand for Children Memphis is also partnering with Shelby County Schools and other education advocates on implementing the county-wide ‘Students Deserve More’ awareness campaign, which highlights a critical need to increase funding for schools. The initiative is in response to school budget cuts that have occurred over the past three years. Most recently, the SCS Board announced it would cut $36 million from the 2016-2017 budget to close a gap that has persisted.

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ABOUT STAND FOR CHILDREN TENNESSEE

Stand for Children Tennessee’s mission is to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, graduate from high school prepared for, and with access to, a college education or career training. Learn more at www.stand.org/tennessee.

The Charter Compact Passes!

Access to High-Quality Schools | 01/28/2016

Amariah Tyler Digital Strategist & Memphis Operations Coordinator

For over a year, we have been working with Memphis charter school parents to advocate for the Shelby County Schools Board to pass a charter compact that would start to build a partnership between the district and the charter school it authorizes.

At Tuesday night’s school board meeting—in front of a packed room full of parents, students, educators, principals, administrators and education advocacy groups joined together in support of the agreement—the board members unanimously voted to pass the Charter Compact!

Cardell Orrin, Memphis City Director, feels that this is the first step in building a partnership between SCS and their charter schools.

What we see it as the board saying, ‘yes, we recognize we have charter schools in our landscape. They are a growing part of the district. They are an important part of the district and we have to interact with them.

Memphis Organizer, London Lamar, has been a strong advocate for this issue for over a year is excited about its passing and what it means for the children in Memphis.

Working on the charter compact was a humbling experience because we helped so many families and schools make continuous gains for the children’s education. I hope this victory continues to empower parents to keep mobilizing on behalf of our children!

While this was indeed a win for our Memphis team, this was an even bigger win for the all of the students in Shelby County.

Regardless of where we send our kids to school, they are all deserving of a quality education and it is our duty to ensure that we make that possible.

In the words of London, ” One win down! Another to go!”

It’s Now Up to Us

Current Events | 12/10/2015

Amariah Tyler Digital Strategist & Memphis Operations Coordinator

Stand for Children Tennessee Commends Final Passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act

—Civil Rights bill hasn’t been reauthorized in since 2001—

MEMPHIS, TN – Stand for Children Tennessee Memphis City Director, Cardell Orrin, issued the following statement today following President Obama signing the much-anticipated Every Student Succeeds Act, legislation which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA):

“The passage of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a step in the right direction towards the intent of the original ESEA, a civil rights bill designed to hold states responsible for providing equitable educational opportunities for all children. We are pleased with the assurance that all children will be accounted for and given a chance at a successful life through the opportunity of an excellent education.

But with the move to give states greater autonomy, our message is this: with great flexibility comes great responsibility. The federal government have done their part. It’s now up to us as Tennesseans to ensure that all Tennessee students receive a fair, high-quality education. It is imperative that we stay hyper-vigilant for our most underserved students to ensure they are receiving the supports needed to graduate from high school on time, prepared for college or career. We cannot allow a bare minimum of expectations to be the norm when it comes to the education of our children.

Stand for Children Tennessee looks forward to working with education leaders and elected officials, partners, educators, parents, and community members to keep strong accountability locally in our collective work to build an excellent public education system for all.”

-Cardell Orrin, Stand for Children Tennessee

Stand for Children Tennessee is a nonprofit, parent- and community-based organization that works to ensure that all children graduate from high school prepared for and with access to a college education. Visit www.stand.org/tennessee

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Let’s Get TNReady!

College & Career Readiness | 11/16/2015

Amariah Tyler Digital Strategist & Memphis Operations Coordinator

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you may have heard about TNReady, the new Tennessee state assessment test that’s starting this year.

TNReady is not an extra test, but a new and improved version of the old TCAP test for Math and English that will be administered for the first time this school year in grades 3-12.

To ensure that you and your child are adequately prepared for the new assessment test and changes, Stand for Children is hosting a series of community meetings to help you and your child get TNReady.

These meetings are designed to share important information with you about the new tests and to answer any questions that you may have. This also a great opportunity for you to become involved with us and learn how to better prepare your child for success.

Check out the list of available locations, dates, and times for upcoming TNReady community meetings happening in the Shelby County area below. These informational sessions are free, so join us and invite a friend!

For more information, contact Amariah Tyler at [email protected].

Hickory Hill Community Thursday, November 19, 2015 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Greater Community Temple C.O.G.I.C. 5151 Winchester Road, Memphis, TN 38118 RSVP: Nikeisha Royston at [email protected]

South Memphis Community Tuesday, December 1, 2015 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Boys & Girls Club of Memphis Technical Training Center 903 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN 38106 RSVP: Nikeisha Royston at [email protected]

Westwood Community Monday, December 7, 2015 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Charles Powell Westwood Community Center 810 Western Park Dr., Memphis, TN 38109 RSVP: London Lamar at [email protected]