The 2020 election means the same that all past presidential elections have meant to education—we need critical reforms within this country to ensure that all students receive their education. We, as a society, see the lack of access to technology, especially right now; we see the great need to involve and engage diverse populations; we see the need for quality teacher preparation and support with instructional design and delivery. While education seems to almost always take a subordinating seat to military funding, Wall Street, medicine, and so many other entities throughout this country, we are at yet another apex within the context of education.
While the presidential election is important, arguably the more important elections are more local elections for school boards, majors, etc., are simply as salient to the movement of educational liberation as any other process by which democracy, particularly in this country, is entangled. Of course, we need the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004), which is a federal law, revised; however, we, as educational theorists and practitioners, must become more than just writers and speakers; we must become engaged in the processes that have held many of our students, i.e., students of color, hostage for far too long.
Perhaps it is time for those who write about it to do more than just teach about it. Perhaps it is time for educational theorists and practitioners to volunteer our time for and with school boards. It is time for us to start and lead student-centered cohorts to improve the happenings within our locus of control. It is time to cease the dependent hope that we often put on elected officials and begin movements to ensure our future, particularly students who are marginalized, are given the supports, resources, and, most importantly, love they need to become the change agents this entire world needs.
Bio
Brandon C.S. Wallace, Associate Professor Montgomery College|School of Education brandon.wallace@montgomerycollege.edu (email) 7600 Takoma Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912—RC201 240-567-5919 (office) 301-433-1413 (cell)
While the presidential election is important, arguably the more important elections are more local elections for school boards, majors, etc., are simply as salient to the movement of educational liberation as any other process by which democracy, particularly in this country, is entangled. Of course, we need the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004), which is a federal law, revised; however, we, as educational theorists and practitioners, must become more than just writers and speakers; we must become engaged in the processes that have held many of our students, i.e., students of color, hostage for far too long.
Perhaps it is time for those who write about it to do more than just teach about it. Perhaps it is time for educational theorists and practitioners to volunteer our time for and with school boards. It is time for us to start and lead student-centered cohorts to improve the happenings within our locus of control. It is time to cease the dependent hope that we often put on elected officials and begin movements to ensure our future, particularly students who are marginalized, are given the supports, resources, and, most importantly, love they need to become the change agents this entire world needs.
Bio
Brandon C.S. Wallace, Associate Professor Montgomery College|School of Education brandon.wallace@montgomerycollege.edu (email) 7600 Takoma Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912—RC201 240-567-5919 (office) 301-433-1413 (cell)