Those of you who know me know that I am deeply committed to educational equity. My years as an educator and administrator in the California public school system opened my eyes to the inequities in funding, training, and quality education plaguing schools nationwide.
While there are many organizations like the one I serve—Silicon Valley Education Foundation—working to close STEM opportunity and achievement gaps among schools, real change requires grassroots action as well. That means administrators, policymakers, and parents need to engage with their schools and start discussing equity for their children. One simple way to do this is by asking the right questions. Here’s what I suggest asking heading into the 2023-2024 academic year:
What training have my child’s teachers received on the latest STEM concepts and learning modules?
Students aren’t the only ones underserved by the current status quo in education equity. In many schools, teachers—who are already underpaid—have to dedicate their own resources to training and upskilling. This means many simply aren’t able to stay up-to-date on the latest ideas surrounding STEM education and opportunities.
Does my child’s school have the necessary technologies to facilitate STEM learning?
More and more, learning happens online. Without reliable internet access, tablets, and a generally deep tech stack that can enable STEM lessons, students in underserved schools will lag behind those learning on the latest technologies.
What is our school’s budget relative to others in the state?
There might not be much you can do about this issue in the immediate future, but being aware of this fundamental inequity can help you know where to assert your energy. The unfortunate reality is that some schools receive more funding based on their zip codes. You can probably guess which ones get a disproportional piece of the pie. If you’re unsure about where your school stands, ask.
How will this year’s learning position my child for economic mobility later in life?
While we still measure “success” on test scores and grades (a discussion for a later date), it’s also important to consider what skills your child will be developing over the course of the next year. Understanding the curriculum isn’t enough. Your school should be able to identify the hard skills that students will be leaving with as they matriculate.
What outside partnerships will help support my child’s education this year?
Strategic partnerships can go a long way in closing digital divides, evening the tech stack, and bolstering the budget for the year. SVEF supports over 65 school districts across the state, providing over 38,000 students and 2,000 teachers with the resources they need to accelerate their trajectories and prepare students from all backgrounds for college.
You might not love the answers you get, but if you keep asking them, and more parents speak up, I promise you that change is possible. And with your help, we can create a more equitable education system for all students.
Here’s to a great school year,
Lisa