It is Time for Educational Equity - Guest MINDSETTER™ Keith A. Oliveira

It is Time for Educational Equity - Guest MINDSETTER™ Keith A. Oliveira

This week the R.I. Council on Elementary and Secondary Education approved Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green’s recommendations to expand high-quality charter school opportunities for Rhode Island students and families. They should be applauded for their actions and providing educational opportunities that Rhode Island families want and deserve.

There is a lot of talk these days about “educational equity”. Educational equity is about providing students the opportunity to succeed through educational preparedness. That is what our Rhode Island charter schools have done for more than twenty years. Our charter schools have developed a proven track record of educating and preparing our young people for future success. The Council’s actions will further expand that opportunity.

Unfortunately, there are those who would deny these educational opportunities. They argue that we shouldn’t pursue what we know works in order to reform traditional systems that have proven to be less than successful. That approach is a disservice to families who want nothing more than an opportunity to choose for themselves.  If educational equity is about providing students the opportunity to succeed, then denying that opportunity is inherently inequitable. If educational equity is the objective, then expanding high-quality educational opportunity is the means.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Prior to her voting to approve these opportunities, Council member Jo Eva Gaines stated that she has heard all the arguments against expanding educational opportunity for 35 years, almost three generations. How many more generations must we deny opportunity before we embrace and support what we know works for our students, families and communities.

Rest assured the empire will strike back against providing these opportunities. The traditional systems and those that seek to deny opportunity will most likely seek a legislative response. That would be unfortunate but is indicative of why many families have lost confidence in traditional systems. Many families have come to realize that traditional systems are less interested in providing opportunity than they are about maintaining those systems that have not served them well. Families understand what is equitable and what is inequitable. The R.I. Council of Education and Commissioner Infante-Green have shown they understand has as well.    

 

Keith A. Oliveira is the Executive Director of the R.I. League of Charter Schools