Join an esteemed panel of educators in an honest discussion of race and education at the upcoming “Color of Education” Roundtable Discussion, Thursday, October 6, 2016 the Loyola University of Chicago, School of Law.
The Cradle Adoption Agency recently launched the “Our Children” education and empowerment series designed to educate parents on raising African-American children in a society still plagued by racial disparities. As part of the campaign, the agency has assembled a distinguished panel of expert teachers, administrators, and parents to address academic concerns specifically for African-American children. Among the panelists are Heather Freer-Kurut, Principal of Morgan Park Academy; Dr. Evisha Ford-Sills, Assistant Superintendent for the Posen-Robbins School District, and Miranda Johnson, Associate Director of the Education Law and Policy Institute at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
While the goal of education should be to provide an environment that is nurturing and inclusive, sometimes societal biases and unspoken prejudices arise, causing irreparable psychological and social challenges, particularly for African-American students.
According to new Department of Education data released in June 2016, Black preschool children are nearly 4 times more likely to get one or more out-of-school suspensions than their white counterparts. Studies have also shown that there are sharp disparities between how Black and white students are disciplined in school. This should be very alarming to anyone who is parenting an African-American child.
Many parents, especially transracial, adoptive parents struggle to understand racial challenges in the education system.
The expert panel hopes to help parents and educators understand the complexity of these issues including the need to close the achievement gap and impart more diversity and cultural competency in the teaching workforce. Attendees at the event will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session and one-on-one discussions with participating experts.
The event begins with a cocktail reception at 6pm, followed by the program at 7pm. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 847-733-229 or log onto www.cradle.org/colorofeducation.
*About the Cradle*
The Cradle is one of the foremost adoption agencies in the country and the only adoption agency in the U.S. with an onsite infant nursery. Since its founding in 1923, The Cradle has placed more than 15,000 children with permanent loving families. The Cradle’s mission is to benefit children and all others touched by adoption – by compassionately delivering exceptional education, guidance and lifelong support to build, sustain and preserve nurturing families. For more information, visit www.cradle.org
