“Our traditional K-12 system is a profound failure, and we spent nearly a trillion dollars on it. But I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t believe that we could make a change,” said Amy O. Cook from School Boards for Academic Excellence (SBAE). Cook shared her bold vision to transform local school boards during a Big Idea talk at Philanthropy Roundtable’s annual meeting in October.
“Last year, students posted their worst ever math scores on the international Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test. And not a single student tested that they were proficient in math among 23 Baltimore elementary, middle and high schools, out of 2000 students. It’s almost as if it’s intentional,” Cook added.
While we celebrate the advancement of school choice policies nationwide, over 80% of U.S. students still attend traditional public schools – many of which are failing them. Cook shared how we can depoliticize classrooms, boost academic standards, break down barriers to excellence and create in-district school choice policies that truly work for everyone.
“Since COVID, parents have stepped up. They’ve gone to school board meetings. They’re speaking, but most importantly, they’re standing up to run for school boards,” Cook said. “The hard part is staying with them and helping them to govern effectively. Most of them are well intentioned. They’re parents, they’re unpaid volunteers. But once elected, they are suddenly thrust into uncharted waters.”
This is where SBAE steps in. SBAE is a national network of state groups that works with new school board members on academic achievement and student success in public schools.
“Pam McKinney … was elected as a new school board member, and got brutalized in the press … and by other elected officials because she was challenging a school superintendent. I’m proud to say that because an SBAE chapter stepped in and provided her professional help to navigate that situation, she’s still on the board and she has a new superintendent.”
Cook said enthusiasm among new school board members is growing, and the partnership between SBAE and school leaders is critical to returning our public schools to academic excellence.
“Right now, we have an opportunity to make things right. And a generation of students are counting on it.”
If you are interested in learning more about how Philanthropy Roundtable supports k-12 education, please contact Pathways to Opportunity Program Director Stephen Allison here.
