Panel discussion at 2012 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Conference*
By Devin Boyle, Director of Communications
Last week Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERN-A) hosted a panel at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 2012 Conference in Washington, DC. The discussion centered on a single question: “Are public charter schools meeting the demands of African American students?”
The answer: It’s complicated.
Charter schools have been a hot-button topic in both the education reform community and politics in general for years. The autonomy provided to them has enabled many schools to develop innovative approaches to education that are, in some places, showing impressive results. They are not, however, the only means by which children may receive a better education. And they are neither universally of high quality nor are they a panacea that will fix our entire education system.
ERN-A decided to put this panel together as a way to address some of the questions and concerns surrounding this issue, as well as share some best practices and personal experiences from our panelists.
*Panel participants, from left to right, are: Lydia Logan, Senior Director, Board Foundation (Moderator); Donald Hense, CEO of Friendship Charter Network; Shavar Jeffries, member of the Newark Advisory School Board; Bryan Hassel, Co-Director of Public Impact; Ken Campbell, President of the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO); and, Samantha Simpore, Alumnus and Youth Advocate at Maya Angelou Public Charter School.