Creating a Grassroots Movement to Transform Public School

Theresa Perry, Robert P. Moses, Ernesto Cortés Jr., Lisa Delpit, Joan T. Wynne

A passionately argued case for a new civil rights movement—centered on schools

Legendary civil rights leader and education activist Robert Moses
invited one hundred prominent African American and Latino intellec-
tuals and activists to meet to discuss a proposal for a campaign to
guarantee a quality education for all children as a constitutional
right—a movement that would “transform current approaches to edu-
cational inequity, all of which have failed miserably to yield results for
our children.” The response was overwhelming, and people literally
started organizing on the spot.
This book-emerging directly from that effort-includes a fierce, elo-
quent call by Moses for a new approach to school reform. He argues
that the crisis in public education for children of color won’t be solved
by bureaucratic fixes but only by a grassroots, popular movement
modeled after the civil rights movement.
Latino organizer Ernesto Cortés tells us about the realities of organiz-
ing based on the success stories of grassroots change in Texas. Lisa
Delpit shows us the key features of culturally grounded quality educa-
tion. Other eminent educators, historians, and legal experts lend their
voices to this groundbreaking book.

Theresa Perry is professor of education at Wheelock College in Boston and coeditor of The Real Ebonics Debate.

Robert P. Moses is the winner of many awards including a MacArthur fellowship and a Heinz Award in the Human Condition.

Ernesto Cortesis director of the Southwest Regional Industrial Areas Foundation.

Lisa Delpitis a professor at Florida International University and author of Other People’s Children.

Joan T. Wynne is the Associate Director of the Center for Urban Education & Innovation at Florida International University College of Education.

Available June 30, 2010
$16.00 PAPERBACK
978-0-8070-3282-4

You can purchase the book through Beacon Press

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Petersburg People’s News

The Progressive Index

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2008 4:30 P.M. CST
CONTACT: David J. Dennis, Sr., (601) 668-6473, Algebra Project Site & Community Development consultant

Renowned actor and humanitarian Danny Glover will be in New Orleans visiting Recovery School District schools tomorrow, Thursday February 14 and Friday February 15, continuing his involvement in efforts to bring officials, schools and community together to create effective solutions toward raising the quality of public school education.

Mr. Glover will meet with students and faculty members of schools involved with the Algebra Project. These events seek to highlight the progress of the collaboration between the Vanguard Public Foundation and the Algebra Project—Mr. Glover sits on the Board of Directors of both organizations—with New Orleans schools.

In October 2005 the Vanguard Public Foundation initiated intensive support of work in New Orleans to assist the rebuilding efforts, particularly in the critical areas of public school education and housing. Vanguard partnered with the Algebra Project to provide professional development to math teachers from James Singleton Charter, Eleanor McMain and Frederick Douglas High Schools. AP trainers worked with the math teachers using the Algebra Project methodology at these schools throughout the 2005-2006 school year.  In the summer 2006, the teachers at Singleton charter were officially trained to implement the Algebra Project for the next school term.

One of the goals of the Algebra Project – and national math standards – is to offer algebra at the eighth grade to all students, a year before it is officially offered in the New Orleans public schools.  During the 2007-2008 school year, this work has expanded to additional RSD schools.

Dr. Raynard Sanders of Vanguard is pleased with the Algebra Project trainers and with the level of participating teachers’ commitment, evidenced by the start of the first eighth grade Algebra class at Singleton.  He underscores these contributions as demonstrations of the kinds of educational improvement efforts available to the city. “This is quite an accomplishment, given the academic challenges of the Singleton students, who do not have academic admission requirements.”

On Thursday, February 14th, Danny Glover will be present at a reception for community leaders and parents at the James Singleton Charter School at Dryades YMCA on 2220 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard between 4:30PM and 6:00PM.  Later that evening at 6:30PM, he will attend a Community Reception open to the general public at The Wisdom Hall on 1359 St. Bernard Ave.

Also, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 15th, Mr. Glover will visit John McDonogh High School, 2426 Esplanade Ave.  During this return visit Mr. Glover will be meeting with school officials to better understand the current challenges and opportunities facing New Orleans students and teachers.

If you have any questions, please contact David J. Dennis, Sr., Algebra Project Site & Community Development consultant at 601-668-6473.

On January 10, 2008, ninety parents, community members, civil rights activists and educators assembled at the Medical Mall in Jackson, Mississippi with great anticipation of the demonstrations in mathematics which would be led by the Algebra Project students of Lanier.

The demonstrations highlighted the concepts of distance and displacement and how these ideas are applicable in everyday life situations such as the relay race. As teachers Demetrica Gorden and Herbert Brown outlined the rules of the relay race the students anxiously awaited their turn to display their knowledge of mathematics in a unique way. It was now time for the students to take center stage. As they hurriedly began stacking their cubes, they captivated the audience as R. Ferguson outlined the step by step process involved in a dynamical system at the end of the demonstrations, many questions and positive comments were made of learning math.

Frank Figgers, AP Parent Liaison, strongly reminded the audience of their role to be a village for these students. He stated that their presence was an indication that they care.

This event was made possible through the teamwork from the community at large- current and former AP students, parents, members of the Medical Mall Foundation, radio, churches in the Lanier feeder pattern, barber and beauty salons, teachers and administrative staff of Lanier and mentor groups. The event was a great success. More “Family Math Night” will be planned for the future.

• To inform parents what the Algebra Project can add or bring to Petersburg
• To ensure that every child Kindergarten through 12^th learn math/Algebra
• To ensure that each parent is involved with what is best for his/her child
• To ensure that there will be some kind of evaluation for the high school AP program
• To clarify what can be done to help others
• To disseminate information concerning AP classes to parents

Funded by the Ford Foundation, this work will continue into the remaining school year. Next meeting is scheduled for April 19^th, 9AM to 1PM. If you are interested in attending, please contact Ernest at ebrooks@algebra.org.