This election season, education is on the ballot. While so many are caught up in national campaigns, it’s more important than ever to think about local races that have a significant impact on our city. This year’s public school board races, in particular, will be the races to follow.
Our current education system leaves 70% of Marion County students unable to read at or above grade level. That means these students are missing out on critical opportunities for their future. Racial disparities in education outcomes, which has been an issue for decades, have escalated in recent years.
2024 ILEARN assessment shows 11% of Black students are proficient in ELA and math testing, and that is unacceptable. We cannot let another generation of Indianapolis kids go all the way through school and graduate without developing strong reading and math skills.
With the right school board commissioners — commissioners who prioritize early literacy, student-centered policies, parent engagement, school safety and support for teachers — we can elevate outcomes for all students and community.
As a Black woman, I am proud that the RISE INDY staff consists of majority-Black parents, educators, and community advocates who show up every day with a relentless commitment to our students and community. We are a team committed to seeing a new reality for Black public-school students, and all students that have been under-resourced in IPS, Marion County and across Indiana. We engage our full community in solutions for our students, and I’m proud that our work has seen results since I founded RISE five years ago.
We all agree that we need systems-level change, but systems don’t change by themselves — people change systems. We support people who are ready to step up and make that change in this election. This lack of education prevents kids from becoming thriving adults, and it perpetuates poverty and inequities that impact our entire city. We work to change this reality by way of three areas: policy, politics and programming.
We’ve successfully advocated for over $90 million in funding to improve outcomes for Black and Brown kids throughout Indiana. We’ve been on the side of state funding to support students below grade level literacy, new state funding allocations towards teaching scholarships for Black and Brown educators in training, increased facilities funding for public schools, and resources for teachers to earn literacy credentials.
Our political work allows us to collaborate with elected officials and prepare community leaders for office. We educate current elected officials on the most pressing needs of our Black kids, and we work with the community to endorse candidates who promise to create student-centered policies that improve conditions for students and teachers.
Our programming has helped train Circle City Leaders fellows to run for office on student-centered issues. To date, our CCL alumni are serving on boards and in elected positions that impact 57,631 Indianapolis students. We also work with parents to close the achievement gap for Black and Brown kids throughout Indiana.
Freedom Readers has empowered over 500 parents to improve their students’ reading and comprehension — this program impacts the literacy of over 600 Marion County students. Through a partnership with Warren Township Schools, our Freedom Readers Fellowship will equip parents to tutor students in the classroom and secure gainful employment as educators in the district.
All this work is possible because of our philanthropic donors, RISE INDY team and board, community partners and the 1,544 community members who have actively joined us to improve public school student outcomes.
You can join us, too.
As Election Day approaches, I urge you to look beyond just the presidential campaign yard signs and commercials. Research your local school board candidates and ask about their track record of working with parents, teachers and community members.
The best board members will be those who center all their decisions around the families and students they represent, and together we can make sure the right people are positioned to improve outcomes for our students.
All elections matter, but local elections are where decisions are made that directly affect our communities and cut closest to home. School board members are key to shaping the future of education and ensuring all kids have access to exceptional public schools.
Learn more at riseindy.org for more ways you can make an informed decision. In doing so, your vote will make life better for all Indianapolis students — and improve our collective future.
Shaheed-Young is the founder and CEO of RISE INDY, a community-led nonprofit working to ensure all students attend an excellent public school.
