Is Educational Equity and True Inclusion a Real Possibility?

How can the PTA help in areas of equity? Are some schools in the area addressing racism, equity, and true inclusion in their programs? Look at some of the information presented and make up your own mind.

An informative, surprising presentation, called “The Antiracism Seminar,” was presented by Mike Woltz and Corey Haynes. Woltz is the NOVA District PTA Chair of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach Committee; FCPS Title I Parent Advisory Committee Chair; Chair, Legal Redress Committee, Fairfax NAACP; Board member of Fairfax Antiracist Minds (FAM). Haynes is the Equity Lead, ESOL & AVID Teacher; Board member of Fairfax Antiracist Minds (FAM). The informative, exciting presentation centered on issues of racial justice in education.

The NoVA District Antiracism Seminar presented some interesting, provocative facts, figures, and studies on two school systems – one in Fairfax County and another in Alexandria City. Key members of educational equity organizations delivered a scathing study on the quality of education, equal access, and equity on November 14, 2020. The truth lies in the numbers – look at the breakdown of students versus their representation in honors and advanced courses.

Many topics were discussed and presented. Some topics presented were: “Racial Trauma What 30 Years of Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Teaches Us;” “Adverse Childhood Experiences” otherwise referred to as ACEs; and “Ending Tracking and Other Discriminatory Education Practices” which focused on middle schools in Alexandria City Public Schools, primarily the George Washington Middle School (GWMS). The Educational Justice Group at GWMS met on the Alexandria City Public School.

For data, give and in-depth look, click on these sites:

* Equity Presentation_Allyson Noble.pdf

* Racial Trauma_Attachments.pdf

* NoVA District PTA Racial Trauma (1).pdf

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