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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What is the CCPTA doing to help with Equity in APS?  The grant program and training is just "Rearranging the deck chairs on a sinking ship".

The CCPTA should take a leadership role in making our schools and student body more equitable instead of just hiding behind the same old 'walkability' argument.  Even the 2021 proposed 'determining factors' of Transportation Efficiency, Utilization, Stability and Diversity/Equity places EQUITY last on the list.  [b]I hate to tell you but driving EQUITY in APS needs to make some well to do families families uncomfortable.[/b] https://ccpta.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2021/03/CCPTA-Boundary-Change-and-School-Move-Recommendations.pdf

The CCPTA needs to take a leadership role to drive EQUITY and not just high five each other for redistributing a few thousand bucks, doing some training and recommending policies that will just perpetuate the current inequities across APS.

[/quote]

I agree with you that CCPTA should and can be the leading advocate on equity and related issues.  But CCPTA made boundary policy change recommendations 2 or 3 years ago that specifically addressed the socioeconomic diversity issue. It did not put equity "last" but actually raised its importance by making it an equal part of the "formula." I think it streamlined the current 6 boundary principles into 4 because things like "proximity" and "stability" overlap and included other specific recommendations to highlight the demographics in the various boundary scenario proposals, etc.

Beyond advocacy, what do you think CCPTA can actually do to affect equity? What policies is CCPTA pushing that perpetuates the status quo?  The grant and partnership programs are at least something they can actually implement; and running those programs at least starts to increase awareness, brings some people from different schools together, and proffers some assistance for poorer schools until the County and APS finally decide to enact other changes.  It isn't a complete and instantaneous solution.  But it's better than nothing and more than has been done in the past.  I do wish they would focus on more things beyond the basics of providing food and clothes.  But the pandemic made those needs even more urgent and it was really the only way for PTAs to help each other since nothing was going on in the actual school buildings.

CCPTA's profile and stature has increased in the past few years.  I think Maura McMahon did a good job in making CCPTA more of an active player and raising its visibility, getting SB and APS leadership to take more notice.   I think she also re-started having County Board members attend meetings.   CCPTA never really tried to be an influential policy changer before and it takes time for a group to develop and gain real influence.

So, if you think you know what CCPTA should be doing, please share.[/quote]

Did the CCPTA really spend 2k on a Zoom Account?  How is that even possible?  That must be a group account every PTA in APS can use for that kind of $$$$.

Diversity and Inclusion Training - why not open it to all PTA members?

What the CCPTA should be doing is taking a leadership role in making APS more equitable.  It seems like the opposite is happening.  The reality is that poverty is being concentrated and the schools are getting less diverse.  Every boundary change seems to be going in the WRONG DIRECTION.

But hey - maybe that is the role of the CCPTA just smile and keep celebrating the wins that are taking APS in the wrong direction.

Equity is the LAST consideration in the [b]CCPTA Recommendations Regarding Boundary Change and Option School Move Policies and Processes March 2021[/b]
https://ccpta.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2021/03/CCPTA-Boundary-Change-and-School-Move-Recommendations.pdf

Four Determining Factors :
1.  Transportation Efficiency
2.  Utilization
3.  Stability
4.  Diversity and Equity

Change is hard and should make people feel uncomfortable.  That is what real leadership does.  Equity as the last part of the last factor is giving up.  
[/quote]

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