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March Chalk Talk

 

Working with the Community to Close the Achievement Gap
On February 25, Chalkboard and the Black Parent Initiative (BPI) gathered leaders from throughout Portland to begin work on closing the achievement gap.  The press conference, held at Portland's Faubion Elementary School, centered around a study commissioned by the two groups to examine a lack of equity between Black and White students in Multnomah County.  The findings suggest that the gap exists before students enter school and doesn't narrow or widen in grades K-12.

The study will be the starting point for a group gathered by BPI to turn research into action.

Read more about the event, the report,and BPI on Chalkboard's website.

MentoringEducators.org Launches
Oregon's Beginning Teacher and Administrator Mentor Program, which pairs experienced teachers with new ones in an effort to increase teacher retention and raise student achievement, has a new website -- MentoringEducators.org. 

The Mentor Program is helping ease the burden felt by many beginning educators all over Oregon.  Most importantly, it allows Oregon children to get the education they deserve. Here's what Jill Davidson, a first grade teacher and educator mentor had to say about the Program:

"When I started teaching, I had no support... My deepest regret is that I wasn't the kind of teacher I could have (should have) been without a mentor's support.  I didn't know how to challenge myself, think outside the box and grow.  That's what having a mentor would have done.  The real beneficiary would have been those first grade students"

The site created by Chalkboard, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Education, features information about Oregon's Mentor Program and provides resources for educators, decision makers, and the general public alike.

Visit www.MentoringEducators.org today.

...Or learn how you can support Oregon's Educator Mentor program by viewing Chalkboard's Advocacy webpage.

Updated Open Books Project
The comparable financial data that Open Books is known for has been updated and strengthened with much more information about Oregon schools. Data about student achievement, details about teachers, and the community are now readily available.

A new look for Open Books. A smart idea for Oregonians.  A perfect tool for you.

Visit www.openbooksproject.org today!

Check out the Open Books Project Press Release from March 4th.

Tag, you're it...
This month Tag features Ty Schwoeffermann, Community and Faith Advocate for the Back Parent Initiative.  Mr. Schwoeffermann is a graduate of the University of Oregon and a product of the Portland Public school system.  Before BPI he worked for the Obama campaign as a field organizer.

(Below are abridged versions of Mr. Schwoefferman's Tag responses.  You can view the complete interview on here.)

What motivated you to decide to work with the Black Parent Initiative?
My background is grounded in my understanding of who I am and also my belief that America can be as good as its promise. That is precisely why I fit so well with this organization because BPI does not just talk about action, we are also working towards change.  The achievement gap is a big problem that I hope I have an impact on over the coming years.

After the release of the Achievement Gap data, what are the next steps you would like to see taken for the current and future generations of Oregon students?
I realize that this effort is going to take the entire community.  At BPI we follow an African Proverb "it takes a community to raise a child".  The achievement gap will only close if we as a community decide to make it a priority. 

Partnering with other communities of color and any allies to this struggle is also important.  Our coalition will be 100% inclusive for anyone who wants to work towards closing the achievement gap.

Legislative Update

 
Oregon's Educator Mentor Program is currently in the Governor's budget, but faces possible cuts.  Find out how you can prevent these cuts.

House Bill 2115 and Senate Bill 443 which would create a professional development clearing house have had public hearings and remain in committee.

Learn more about Chalkboard's legislative work on our Advocacy Page.

Working Wonders Contest