Now, more than ever, is the time to show up and protect our students. We must persistently demand that every child has access to a high-quality education that meets their needs and celebrates their identity. To support advocates continuing to fight for equity, EdTrust is hosting a three-part webinar series, “Not Backing Down: Advocating for Resource Equity in a Shifting Political Landscape,” on March 5th, 12th, and 19th, at 2-3PM Eastern Time.
The series will:
- Discuss strategies for defending resource equity in the current political climate
- Share stories of advocates mobilizing communities and influencing local decisionmakers to support equity initiatives
- Highlight resources for furthering resource equity.
Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or new to resource equity, this series will provide critical insights and tools to strengthen your advocacy during this crucial juncture. Learn more and sign up to attend below!
Webinar 1: Power & Policy: How the Current Federal Climate Threatens Resource Equity
Wednesday, March 5th, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
The fight for resource equity has never been more urgent. Our students’ civil rights are at risk and there is a full-scale, coordinated campaign to dismantle public education systems. Join EdTrust to unpack the new federal educational policy landscape, including the myriad threats to students’ civil rights, well-being, and access to high-quality educational opportunities. Panelists will break down the Trump administration’s education policy agenda to date, clarifying how these federal priorities risk decimating local school budgets, undermining student safety, gutting equity initiatives, and much more. EdTrust’s Augustus Mays, Vice President, Partnerships & Engagement, will moderate this important conversation to examine the challenges ahead and present strategies we can employ to mobilize for action.
Panelists:
- Liz King, Senior Program Director for Education Equity, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
- Jasmine Bolton, Policy Director, Partnership for the Future of Learning
- Lakeisha Steele, Vice President of Policy, Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
- Morgan Craven, National Director of Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement, Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA)
Webinar 2: Advocating for Students’ Civil Rights Amid Anti-DEI Threats
Wednesday, March 12th, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
A focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) helps ensure that students are learning in vibrant, inclusive learning environments where their identities are celebrated. However, as attacks on DEI spread across the country, education advocates must be clear how rollbacks to DEI undercut the well-being of those most marginalized by our educational systems, including students and families of color, immigrant students and families, and LGBTQ+ students and families. Panelists (list) will help break down the landscape surrounding anti-DEI efforts and help advocates demystify how federal actions could impact their communities, including tools and strategies to prevent systems from proactively dismantling DEI efforts.
Panelists:
- Brian Dittmeier, Director of Public Policy, GLSEN
- Juhwan Seo, Assistant Director of Education Policy, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)
Webinar 3: Public Dollars, Private Gain: Exposing the True Cost of School Vouchers, And What to Do About It
Wednesday, March 19th, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
School vouchers have been billed as programs that provide families with greater educational choices — this is far from the truth. School vouchers divert public dollars away from public schools, decreasing academic outcomes, deepening inequities, and skirting accountability guardrails. With pro-voucher advocates pushing for massive expansions to these programs at the state and federal level, what does this mean for adequate funding and resources in your community? This webinar will explain the true impact of voucher programs, exposing how these programs siphon funding from already under-resourced schools and destabilize the public education system that 90% of children use. EdTrust’s Qubilah Huddleston will share EdTrust resources to help communities launch effective advocacy campaigns against school voucher programs and lead a discussion with (list panelists) to share how they are raising their voice against these initiatives.
Panelists:
- Sasha Pudelski, Director of Advocacy, AASA, The School Superintendents Association
- Fred Jones, Senior Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Southern Education Foundation
- Beth Lewis, Executive Director, Save Our Schools Arizona