Michelle Rhee, ed choice advocates gather at Meharry
A list of big-name pro-choice education advocates gathered Saturday as part of the Stand Up Organization’s seminar in Nashville to call for better outcomes for black students.
The overriding message was that black students are capable of receiving a better education but need Nashville’s black community to rally support behind them.
The Stand Up Organization, a pro-choice advocacy group focused on black students, held the seminar at Meharry Medical College for about 50 predominantly black church leaders, community organizers and parents. This is the second trip to Nashville for the group, which also has held seminars in Memphis.
The panel discussion was a group that included Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, his wife, Michelle (Rhee) Johnson, and CNN contributor Roland Johnson. Michelle Johnson, who lives part-time in Nashville, is the former leader and founder of StudentsFirst, which seeks quality education for all students. She is also a polarizing figure in the Tennessee and national education politics scene.
The group touched on how to produce better results for black students, as well as the impact of charters and vouchers on students. The group also discussed underperforming schools in the Metro Nashville.
George Parker, a former educator and StudentsFirst fellow, said teachers need to reach black students on a personal level. Many, he said, deal with economic and family hardships.
“There’s a difference between instructing and teaching,” he said. “You can tell anyone to stand up, that’s instructing. But if you tell them why, and how it benefits them, that’s teaching. It’s about having a relationship.”
The group also touched on what it sees as a backlash to school options in Nashville and around the country. Michelle Johnson criticized Tennessee’s Democrats for what she sees as voting against vouchers because it is a Republican-led effort.
“There is a voucher bill ... it died this year,” she said. “This would impact low-income students in failing schools so they can attend a private school with funds. I cant get over it (not passing in the General Assembly), it makes no sense. I see this as an opportunity to give excellent education.”
The real question should be how to better all schools, said School Board member Tyese Hunter. She added there are many problems, including the conversation’s focal point, and too many are worried about preserving the institution and not bettering outcomes for students.
“If you fix this over here,” she said, “you might never get another (charter).”
But part of the issue, CNN’s Johnson said, is that the debate is led by white reformists and not black voices.
“They’re talking about changes,” he said. “But we have to be the leading messenger.”
Reach Jason Gonzale at 615-259-8047 and on Twitter @ByJasonGonzales.Michelle Rhee, ed choice advocates gather at Meharry:
