NC Parents Challenged to Take Charge
We asked for support, and parents in North Carolina delivered!
Earlier this month, we were joined by parents, school children and community leaders at each stop of a three-city speaking tour. The tour, themed "Putting Parents in Charge," highlighted the role of nontraditional educational models-- especially public charter and private schools-- in empowering families through greater choice in k-12 education.
First Stop: Raleigh
Our tour began on the State Capitol grounds in Raleigh, where we aimed the spotlight at Upper Room Christian Academy, an accredited Pre-K through 9 private school in Southeast Raleigh boasting test scores higher than national and state averages. Pamela Wooden, President of the school's Board of Directors, 
described the school's mission as "closing the achievement gap among African American students, males in particular, who were failing in public schools at record numbers."
Other speakers in Raleigh included John Betterton, Principal of Bethel Hill Charter School in Roxboro and Rep. Marvin Lucas (D-Cumberland). "We always look for ways to improve education," said Lucas, describing state legislative efforts to increase k-12 options by raising the cap on charter schools. "[W]e in the legislature take our cues from parents."
Next Stop: Asheville
We continued to Asheville, where we were joined by Matt Mittan, host of a popular, local radio program, who brought his crew to broadcast live on-location at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Later that evening, we heard from educational and community leaders from the Blue Ridge city. Bill George, Headmaster of Asheville Christian Academy, struck a chord with many parents when he described the parental choice movement as "critical to restoring neighborhoods in middle America."
Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy challenged fellow leaders and constituents to get behind educational reform. "I challenge us as a community to get away from what we used to do and move to what we need to do to ensure the best education for all children," said Bellamy.
Last Stop: Charlotte
Our tour concluded in Charlotte, where we hosted two separate events. The first event was held at Brookstone Schools, a private K-5 Christian academy in west Charlotte serving mostly low-income and minority students. Sen. Malcolm Graham (D-Mecklenberg) addressed a diverse audience of parents and school funders. "I'm a firm believer in public education, but doing the same things over and over again doesn't lead to the results you need," said Graham. "Our goal as legislators is to be open-minded and ensure that we are giving all North Carolina children the opportunity to be successful."
The evening event was held at Charlotte Catholic High School, where Rep. Kelly Alexander, Jr. (D-Mecklenburg) and republican former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot found political common ground in the concept that "one size does not fit all" when it comes to education. Vinroot cited academic successes among low-income students at Sugar Creek Charter School in Charlotte as evidence of the need for greater options and competition.
At each location, keynote speaker Virginia Walden Ford, who is known for successfully leading a grassroots coalition of parents and community leaders to pass the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, inspired the audience with one simple message. "Parents have got to lead this effort," she urged. "You can do it; you can fight for your children."
