The Importance of Community Participation and Engagement

• In Event: Diversity by Design: New Visions for School Districts That Serve All Students

Abstract

The second panelist is an advocate for wide-scale school integration, equity of access and the fair allocation of resources. The phrase “attendance zone” does not fully capture the reality that schools are embedded in communities of families and individuals who understand what the children in the community need better than anyone else. All too often their voices are not heard or are ignored. Real change begins at the grass-roots. This panelist is a school and community advocate in New York City. He recently completed a study of diverse charter schools across the country. He began his career as a middle school teacher and youth advisor. He has received many honor and awards and is currently the School Diversity Project Director at a major non-profit on the front lines of fighting for integration and inclusion.

Given that the theme of this year’s annual meeting about the power and possibilities for the public good when researchers and organizational stakeholders collaborate the inclusion of a community-based advocate seems timely and important. By focusing how effective and lasting district designs begin with community leadership and on-going participation, this panelist will deepen the conversation about what is needed to ensure that district redesigns are based on community, diversity and inclusion.

The essential question this panelist will address is: How can community leadership and voice be integrated into district redesigns at the beginning of the planning process and throughout the implementation phase?

Author

• Matt Gonzales, New York Appleseed