Advocating for Diverse Charter Schools, Case Studies from Blackstone Valley Prep & Kairos Academies
Advocating for Diverse Charter Schools, Case Studies from Blackstone Valley Prep & Kairos Academies
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BCEC, Meeting Room 103
"The Great Society is a place where every child can find knowledge to enrich (their) mind and to enlarge (their) talents." -President Johnson, 1964. Nearly six decades later, the path through the classroom to a great society is still being forged. For Diverse Charter Schools Coalition (DCSC), that starts with advocacy of excellent, diverse, and inclusive schools intentionally disrupting the dynamics of poverty and racial injustice for our nation’s children while providing a high-quality education for every student. The advocacy challenges today are numerous, yet there are examples where the work has shown promise. In this session, we will present case studies of the advocacy work led by leaders of excellent, diverse charter schools in St. Louis, MO and Rhode Island. Attendees will dig into the case studies, discuss learnings and takeaways, and collaborate to create an action plan for advocacy in their own community.
Workshop
Advocate
Building Diverse and Engaged Advocates
Participants will understand that advocacy is an essential work of charter leaders, their boards, and community partners.
Participants will learn how successful advocacy requires a coalition of school leaders, stakeholders, and partner organizations working together.
Participants will take away two to three immediate next steps for advocacy in their respective communities.
Scroll down to view handouts.
Presenters
CEO
Kairos Academies
Dr. Khalil Graham’s experience in charter education and nonprofits spans over 15 years and includes a strong record of strategic direction, leadership development, stakeholder engagement, and team productivity. Prior to joining Kairos, Khalil served as the Executive Director of Liberty STEAM Charter School in Sumter, South Carolina. He has previously served as the Managing Director of the Aspiring Leaders Program in Dallas, Texas; as the Principal of Friendship Public Charter School in Washington, D.C.; as Principal of IDEA Public School in San Antonio, Texas; and in numerous other educational roles.
Executive Director
Diverse Charter Schools Coalition
Sonia leads the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition, a coalition of 225+ individual diverse-by-design charter schools. Prior to DCSC, she served in federal and local governments: under Secretary John King at the Department of Education as a Senior Policy Advisor and under Schools Chancellor Denis Walcott as Executive Director of Charter Schools Accountability and Support, NYC Department of Education. In addition to leading Manhattan Charter Schools, her work experiences include the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, NY Charter Schools Resource Center, NY Charter Schools Association, Edison Schools. She's a trustee on the boards of Atlas Public Schools and Central Queens Academy.
Workshop
Advocate
Building Diverse and Engaged Advocates
Participants will understand that advocacy is an essential work of charter leaders, their boards, and community partners.
Participants will learn how successful advocacy requires a coalition of school leaders, stakeholders, and partner organizations working together.
Participants will take away two to three immediate next steps for advocacy in their respective communities.
Scroll down to view handouts.