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FILLING THE GAPEqualizing Educational Opportunities for Students

By James E. Ford, 2015 NC Teacher of the Year

THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF CHANGE

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MY PERSONAL JOURNEY TO EDUCATION

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CLASS PICTURES

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THE MEANING OF EQUITY

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THE HISTORY OF EDUCATIONAL EQUITY

VS

Ruling Class Worker Class

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BENJAMIN FRANKLIN IN THE PROPOSALS RELATED TO YOUTH IN

PENNSYLVANIA IN 1749

“Almost all governments have therefore made it a principal object of their attention, to establish and endow with

proper revenues, such seminaries of learning, as might supply the succeeding age with men [and women]

qualified to serve the publick with honour to themselves, and to their country.”

THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN INEQUITY

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THREE MAJOR REFORM MOVEMENTS

•Equity-based

•School Choice

•Standard-basedRooted in Civil Rights Movement

EDUCATION AS A HUMAN RIGHT

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”YOU SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER A HOSPITAL WARD[…]OF NEW BORN BABIES AND PREDICT WITH NEAR CERTAINTY ON THE BASIS

OF THEIR CLASS, BACKGROUND, AND RACE WHERE THESE KIDS, THESE HEALTHY NEW BORN

BABIES ARE GOING TO END OF UP IN LIFE.”Dr. William Julius Wilson

ARTICLE 26 OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

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THE OTHER AMERICA (A CHANGING NATION)

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G.A.P. (GAME-ALTERING POSITION)Where you start determines where you finish

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CHALLENGES OF THIS GENERATION

•Poverty

•Race

•Special Education

•English Language Learners

Poverty

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Race

Special Education

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ELL

IN NEED OF A NEW MODEL

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CALL TO ACTION