(Updated March 17, 2024) Austin Voices sponsored a week of events centered on the theme “Equity in Action” from March 4-7, 2024. The events included our annual “Stand Up for Schools” luncheon on March 4th, a national webinar on “High-Stakes Testing and Accountability” on March 5th, our first “Equity Bus Tour” visiting AVEY FRCs and neighborhoods in Northeast Austin on March 6th, and a Workforce Development Luncheon at Northeast ECHS on March 7th. We also sponsored a faculty appreciation breakfast at Northeast ECHS on March 7th, with the support of volunteers from the Gates Foundation. Over 300 people took part in “Equity in Action” events, with many taking part in multiple events.

Stand Up for Schools Luncheon (March 4th)

175 partners and supporters of Austin Voices gathered at Covenant Presbyterian Church to honor parents, teachers, students and community partners during our annual “Stand Up for Schools” luncheon.

Our keynote speakers were U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett and his wife Libby Doggett. The theme of the event was “Equity Begins With Voice” and we had amazing messages from parents and students. The Doggetts, as well as long-time community and education advocate Thelma Williams (Grandma Wisdom) were honored with AVEY’s “Hall of Fame” Award. The event also serves as a fundraiser for Austin Voices, and over $14,000 in donations were provided during the event. Thank you to all of our donors!

Click here to see video of Pastor Frederick Haynes from Save Texas Schools rally in 2013. You won’t want to miss this! We showed it at the beginning of the luncheon.

Click here to see the keynote address by U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett and his wife Libby Doggett.

Click here for video of student speakers.

Click here for video of parent speakers.

Click here to see a slideshow of photos from the luncheon and all “Equity in Action” events.

Stand Up for Schools Webinar on High-Stakes Testing and Accountability (March 5th)

Over 100 people took part in a webinar with national experts discussing the current state of high-stakes testing and accountability. Panelists included Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond (Stanford; ED of Learning Policy Institute), Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig (Provost, Western Michigan University), John Tanner (Ed, Brave-Ed) and Dr. Brenda Calderon (U.S. Dept. of Education). 

Click here to see video interview with Linda Darling-Hammond. Click here for transcript of interview.

Click here to see panel discussion video. Click here for transcript of panel discussion.

Click here to read recent article by John Tanner on how standardized testing works.

Stand Up for Schools Equity Bus Tour (March 6th)

Approximately 40 parents, community partners and local officials toured the Dobie/Rundberg and St. John neighborhood for two hours, riding on a school bus, eating a sack lunch and stopping to meet with local residents. Highlights included learning about the Dobie Family Resource Center and seeing parents in action who have been trained to assist other parents with health insurance enrollment, meeting with parents at the Stonegate Mobile Home Park (near Dobie), stopping at the St. John Community Center/Pickle Elementary School and learning the history of the neighborhood, and spending 40 minutes with Thelma Williams (Grandma Wisdom) at her St. John house, which has been transformed into a neighborhood gathering place.

Participants also heard data contrasting the needs and resources at schools in Northeast Austin vs. schools just a few miles to the west and saw first hand the communities where students live in Northeast Austin. Everyone agreed that we need to continue doing these tours.

Click here to hear parent leader from Stonegate Mobile Home Park speaking to participants. (Coming Soon)

 

Stand Up for Schools Workforce Development Luncheon (March 7th)

Approximately 50 community partners, parents, students and campus partners gathered for a 2 hour lunch discussion about how we can increase opportunities and collaboration around workforce training and adult education, especially in the Northeast Austin Promise Neighborhood area.

Kathren Hill, assistant principal at Northeast, gave an overview of the programs and introduced three students who are in CTE (career and technology programs), including healthcare, automotive repair and automotive body repair.

After the student speakers, a panel was held with Anthony Alexander from Workforce Solutions, Loretta Edelen from Austin Community College and Tina Carver, who coordinates Dual-Credit, Early College, P-Tech and Career Academies between ACC and Northeast.