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Education Today: Parents Stand Up As Champions For Children

By Sharlonda Buckman, CEO, Detroit Parent Network

Last week, Detroit Parent Network connected with other community organizations in the city and journeyed by bus from Detroit to Lansing to speak out on behalf of Detroit families.

These parents took time out of their busy lives because their children's futures -- and those of all kids in Michigan-- are on the line. Together, we championed recommendations put forward in the Coalition for the Future of Detroit School Children's "Choice is Ours" report.

Parents were eager to take a stand and share their voice with legislators. The recommendations in the report are under consideration by the legislature and if they are adopted into law, they could benefit Detroit families by laying a foundation for Detroit's educational infrastructure.

Several parents who spoke honed in on how the recommendations might positively affect their children. Specifically, some recommendations address the lack of parent and community voice at the table when it comes to making decisions about our children's schools.

We recommended advisory, School Leadership Teams be established that include parents, staff, and students in all schools to create a culture of shared responsibility. Another solution that could bring some light to these educational problems correlates with having a Detroit Education Commission (DEC) to coordinate the opening and closing of schools vs. 12 isolated authorizers doing so (right now).

People representing many organizations were in Lansing to support Detroit families. If you're interested in learning more or joining the fight to ensure quality education for all Michigan students, join DPN for an education round table discussion on Thursday, October 22nd, 2015. Register for this conversation and other upcoming DPN events by calling 313. 832. 0617

By becoming a member of Detroit Parent Network, you can gain access to trainings, workshops, and parent support groups, among many other benefits. Find out more at http://www.detroitparentnetwork.org/ or on Facebook and Twitter (@DPNdetroit).

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