Alongside the rest of the country, Massachusetts is fighting multiple pandemics: the COVID-19 virus and its devastating health and economic impacts, and persistent systemic racism. This moment is hard for so many reasons. But it’s also an opportunity to step up and meet the challenge of this moment with courageous advocacy and action.
To that end, the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership has launched Meet the Moment Massachusetts, a campaign that calls on education and elected leaders to center the voices, experiences, and demands of historically underserved students and families in policy decisions during this time of pandemic. The campaign seeks to advance two central goals:
To that end, the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership has launched Meet the Moment Massachusetts, a campaign that calls on education and elected leaders to center the voices, experiences, and demands of historically underserved students and families in policy decisions during this time of pandemic. The campaign seeks to advance two central goals:
- Ensure that student and family perspectives inform policy and decision-making at every level of our education system, from the classroom to the State Legislature, and
- Spark public demand for classroom instruction rooted in anti-racism and culturally-responsive pedagogy.
Challenges of Remote Learning Amid Pandemic
Alejandra de la Cruz is a 17-year old Massachusetts high school senior who advocates for equality in education. A youth organizer with Hyde Square Task Force, a MEEP partner, she speaks out about the challenges of remote learning amid the pandemic and the lack of motivation she sees among her peers.
#HearOurTruth: Listening to Students and Families
For policy to be most impactful and effective, it must be informed by the voices of the people most impacted on the ground. The Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership believes that students and families must speak for themselves and inform decision-making at every level, from the classroom to the State Legislature.
December 8th, 6:30pm: New #HearOurTruth Family Forum
A recent poll of Massachusetts families revealed deep racial inequities in how students are learning this year. But what do these numbers mean in the lives of students and families? On December 8th at 6:30pm, join the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership and NBC Boston for a Facebook Live event with families from across the state to hear the stories behind the data and learn what education leaders can do to help.
#HearOurTruth Family Forum: October 2020
Missed our first Family Forum and campaign kick-off on October 7th? You can still watch it here. Hear from students, families and community advocates about what state and local education leaders can do to make sure all students continue to learn – regardless of where they are learning from.
During the conversation, panelists elevated the following issues:
During the conversation, panelists elevated the following issues:
- Families need more effective communication from their schools – including multi-lingual hotlines they can call if they are having technical difficulties, or need other help supporting their child’s learning
- Students and families need more access to teachers and personalized support, including social-emotional and mental health supports
- Students need more dynamic, engaging virtual classes
- Technology continues to be a challenge – from access to devices and internet, to insufficient support with navigating remote learning platforms
- Community-based organizations want to work with school districts to maximize support for families – but have to be brought on as equal partners, not one-off service providers.
#HearOurTruth Video Narratives
Earlier this year, we asked students and families across Massachusetts how remote learning had gone for them last spring, and what they hoped would be different this school year. Here’s what they told us.
We want to hear from you! Write to us at [email protected] and tell us about your experience learning, teaching, or supporting learning this school year.
We want to hear from you! Write to us at [email protected] and tell us about your experience learning, teaching, or supporting learning this school year.
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How would you describe your family's remote learning experience this past spring?
What did your family need to do to meet the challenges you were faced with?
What do you hope school will look like next year?
