Black Education Strategy Roundtable

“Description AmountBusiness Expenses 6,297Technology & Social Media 5,618Administrative 948Travel 2,710”

“Category Beginning of Year End of YearAccrued Expenses 2,703 4,678”

“MISSION: To achieve systemic changes in education that result in excellence and equity for Black/African American students at all levels of the education continuum and raise the bar for all students.Achievements: Governance/Policy. The state continues to expand options and pathways for completing high school graduation requirements. Our advocacy focus is that all pathways meet learning standards already determined by the state. Expanding graduation fulfillment options is to provide students more flexibility in meeting these requirements. However, as proposed, some of the new options lack the rigor to meet standards. Black students are frequently advised to pathways that least meet proficiency learning standards. Also, BESR continues to support our charter school sector. Key issues are equitable funding and removing the charter school authorization time restriction. Charter students, the majority who were underserved by traditional schools, receive $1,500-$3,000 less than their peers at traditional schools. The state previously corrected this inequity for Indian Compact Schools and now should do the same for charter schools. Approximately 23 charter schools have been authorized. The law establishing charter schools allows establishment of 40 charter schools, but within 5 years of the signing of the law. That window has closed, but 17 additional schools could be open. BESR engages with Policy Innovators in Education Network that keep us informed on issues and strategies to address reforms in education.Black Student Report Card: The strengths, capabilities and potential of Black students are being highlighted in an asset-based narrative. BESR is developing this narrative through our Black Student Report Card. It is a narrative developed by Black people about our own students. Flipping the deficit-based narrative held about Black students, educators, policy makers, and community influencers can shift their mindset to a strength-based assessment and have high performance expectations of our students. Group and individual listening sessions were conducted. Now the Report Card development team is drafting the collected information into the narrative statement. A media presentation of the purpose collected themes and final narrative statements is being produced.Reimagining Schools: BESR continues to work with the Black Joy Consortium for Reimagining Schools. The consortium comprises BESR and non-BIPOC focused and lead organization. BLack Joy Consortium advocate for supports and systems where Black students will meet and surpass learning standards.”