FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Education Reform Now Hosted First Southern Convening in Atlanta to Champion Educational Equity and Reform
42 Elected officials from across the South gathered to focus on education policy and reform
Atlanta, GA – November 21, 2024 – Education Reform Now South (ERN South) welcomed 42 state legislators, education leaders, and advocates to Atlanta for the first-ever Southern Regional Convening. This historic gathering brought together change-makers from across the South to confront the most pressing challenges facing public education and to champion policies that will ensure a brighter future for all students.
Elected officials from across six states focused on transformative topics critical to student success: the Science of Reading, State Funding Formulas, Accountability, and Public Charter Schools. Each of these issues represents a cornerstone of educational equity and opportunity, and participants will explore actionable strategies that address both current needs and systemic disparities that have long affected Southern communities.
“The status quo in education is simply not serving our children,” said Alisha Thomas Searcy, Regional President of Education Reform Now South. “In the South, longstanding inequities have impacted educational outcomes for generations, especially in Black, Brown, and low-income communities. This convening is a call to action for leaders who are ready to step up, innovate, and drive meaningful change.”
Focus Areas:
- The Science of Reading: Ensuring that every child reaches grade-level reading proficiency is foundational to their future success. Sessions will explore how the latest research and evidence-based practices can equip educators with tools to support young learners, particularly those facing early literacy challenges.
- State Funding Formulas: Addressing the distribution of resources across districts is crucial for equity. Attendees will discuss strategies to reform funding formulas so that schools in under-resourced areas receive the support they need to provide a high-quality education for all students.
- Accountability: Building systems that hold schools and leaders responsible for student success is a priority. Policymakers will examine models that focus on accountability while supporting educators with the resources necessary to thrive and make an impact.
- Public Charter Schools: Public charter schools play a significant role in expanding access to quality education. Attendees will explore how these schools can provide additional options for families and students.
The convening represents a crucial moment for collaboration and for reimagining what education can and should look like in the South. ERN South aims to build a coalition that champions progressive, results-oriented policies and is committed to bridging educational gaps that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
“At ERN, we believe education is the great equalizer, and we are on a mission to build a national network of education reform champions dedicated to creating better outcomes for students,” said Jorge Elorza, CEO of Education Reform Now. “This Southern Convening is a unique opportunity to foster collaboration among leaders who share a commitment to equitable, results-driven education that empowers students and strengthens communities.”
The Southern Regional Convening marks a powerful step toward addressing systemic inequities and creating pathways to student success across the region. ERN South remains dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through education policy, innovation, and action. With a shared commitment to progress, this convening will be the beginning of a movement to build a more equitable future for education in the South and across the nation.
Confirmed Attendees Included:
Alabama (AL)
- Neonta Williams – School Board Member / Session Panelist
- Anthony Daniels – State Representative
- Robert Stewart – State Senator
- Merika Coleman – State Senator
Florida (FL)
- Daryl Campbell – State Representative
Georgia (GA)
- Erika Mitchell – Atlanta Board of Education
- Ken Zeff – Atlanta Board of Education
- Leroy (Tre’) Hutchins – Cobb County School Board Member
- Jessie Goree – Clayton County Schools Board Member
- Tarece Johnson-Morgan – Gwinnett County Schools Board Member
- Carolyn Hugley – State Representative, Democratic House Leader
- Mekyah McQueen – State Representative
- Robert Dawson – State Representative
- Robert Flournoy – State Representative
- Sandra Scott – State Representative
- Sheila Jones – State Representative
- Viola Davis – State Representative
- Phil Olaleye – State Representative
- Donzella James – State Senator
- Kenya Wicks – State Senator-Elect
- Rashaun Kemp – State Senator-Elect
Louisiana (LA)
- Rashid Young – State Representative
Tennessee (TN)
- Natalie McKinney – School Board Commissioner
- Sable Otey – School Board Commissioner
- Tamarques Porter – School Board Commissioner
- Jesse Chism – State Representative
- Torrey Harris – State Representative
Texas (TX)
- Staci Childs – SBOE Member
- Barbara Gervin-Hawkins – State Representative
- Charlene Johnson – State Representative
- Vincent Perez – State Representative
The two-day conference featured panels, workshops, and networking opportunities, providing a forum for participants to address how public policy can drive educational outcomes that are equitable and sustainable. This convening is the start of a movement for change by empowering leaders to confront systemic issues and pursue policy solutions that make a meaningful impact on students and communities.
About Education Reform Now (ERN)
Education Reform Now is a non-partisan, nonprofit think tank and advocacy organization focused on K-16 public education, with an emphasis on serving students of color and low-income families. ERN’s mission is to promote equity and excellence through innovative, accountability-driven reforms. Our work includes empowering over 200 policymakers nationwide by providing resources on emerging policy trends, coalition-building, polling data, and media support to foster impactful legislation that champions educational equity.
To schedule an interview, please contact Ericka Hatfield at 202-600-6193 or email ericka@edreformnow.org.