Lymari Benitez’s Post

According to Karen Mapp (2013), for decades, research has indicated that school-family partnerships have an overwhelmingly positive impact with respect to the numerous different measures of student success. Why don't we have more of these partnerships? The short answer is that they are difficult to create and maintain. Local funds of knowledge change over time. Coalitions are difficult to form where priorities differ. On the flipped side, forming connections family-by-family is extremely inefficient, especially in larger school systems. The end result, as Mapp notes, is the ever-popular Parents Night. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there is a need for a system in which these coalitions can be formed in order to bring community priorities to educational leaders in a way that is actionable. Mapp, K. (2013). Partners in education: A dual capacity-building framework for family-school partnerships. SEDL. https://lnkd.in/duAbyXjt https://lnkd.in/duAbyXjt

How do we know if the programs and policies we develop meet the needs of students? One of the best, most simple ways to answer this question is by asking the students themselves. We worked with the Montana Office of Public Instruction to center #YouthVoice in building safe, healthy educational environments. As part of this work, we developed the Youth Voice Continuum—a research-based tool that can help adults assess how deeply they implement youth voice in their current practices and strategize ways to increase youth involvement to facilitate shared decision-making. https://lnkd.in/gG5YfxKU

How do we know if the programs and policies we develop meet the needs of students? One of the best, most simple ways to answer this question is by asking the students themselves. We worked with the Montana Office of Public Instruction to center #YouthVoice in building safe, healthy educational environments. As part of this work, we developed the Youth Voice Continuum—a research-based tool that can help adults assess how deeply they implement youth voice in their current practices and strategize ways to increase youth involvement to facilitate shared decision-making. https://lnkd.in/gG5YfxKU

At Class Divide we're sharing our 5 key actions for the next government to ensure children from low-income families thrive in education. Our manifesto includes prioritising admissions for children eligible for free school meals. This policy aims to level the playing field and provide equal opportunities for secondary school education. We've already made this happen in Brighton & Hove - it should be happening across the country. We're advocating for free public transport for all schoolchildren, which can significantly reduce financial barriers and improve school attendance rates. A vital step towards equal access to education. We want to see an increase in pupil premium funding and ensure its ring fenced and appropriately used for supporting disadvantaged students. I'm chatting with Carlie Goldsmith on the latest Class Divide podcast episode where we delve into our manifesto. We discuss the need for comprehensive education policy changes by the next government. Listen and engage with us on this critical topic. https://lnkd.in/evGJka-B #EducationPodcast #PolicyDiscussion #EdReform #EdPolicy #InclusiveEducation #SocialEquity #EducationReform #PublicPolicy #EqualAccess

OPINION | Project 2025 Has Already Infiltrated Seattle Public Schools Seattle’s new “well-resourced schools” plan might sound like progress, but parent Rebekah Binns warns it could lead to overcrowded classrooms, fewer resources, and reduced staffing—all while aligning with Project 2025’s vision for dismantling public education. In our latest op-ed, Binns argues that closing schools and "right-sizing" doesn't truly serve students. Instead, it could create a divided system where private, charter, and religious-affiliated schools thrive while public schools become increasingly under-resourced. Read the full op-ed by Rebekah Binns on the Emerald. https://lnkd.in/gEwyxsYH /// #Voices #Opinion #SeattlePublicSchools #Project2025 #Seattle #SouthSeattle #SouthEnd

Education access shouldn’t depend on your location. In this episode of The Integrated Schools podcast, hosts Andrew and Val interview Janel George  to explore a vision for the future of education that embodies equity, community, and collective progress.  Education has the power to shape not only individuals but entire societies. Imagine schools where every child—regardless of where they live—has access to experienced educators, engaging extracurriculars, and a rich curriculum that reflects the experiences of all people in our democracy.  Schools that serve as community hubs, offering learning in multiple languages and formats, and where teachers are supported with ongoing professional development, mental health care, and recognition. This vision goes beyond education. History, from enslavement to Jim Crow to today, shows that education has long been a battleground for civil rights and is crucial to building a stronger democracy.  It’s crucial that we continue pushing for a system where education is fairly distributed, not hoarded or weaponized.  By expanding access to quality education, we tap into the ingenuity, imagination, and insight of all our children, benefiting not just individuals but the entire country.  Full Episode: https://lnkd.in/g_jhAsFz ________________________________________________ Finding a school where your children can thrive, while avoiding contributing to the ongoing segregation we see today, can feel like a tough issue for socially conscious parents. Check out our FREE guide on how you can start engaging with the education system to achieve just that: https://lnkd.in/gUVvDxrr ________________________________________________ #EducationalEquity #PublicEducation #RacialJustice #IntegratedSchoolsPodcast #SocialJustice #CommunitySchools #FutureOfEducation #CollectiveProgress #EducationForAll

#LearningTeachingHealing #15thAnnualTeenSummit Join us for our 15th Annual Teen Summit, addressing today's teen issues by providing parents, educators, and community leaders with essential knowledge, resources, and strategies to navigate the complexities of modern adolescence. https://ow.ly/j9Kx50TEY9X

Public school districts are complex ecosystems where education, community, and governance intersect. To appreciate the intricate workings of public school districts, it’s essential to recognize the diverse stakeholders who contribute to their vitality. In this video, I delve into the multifaceted tapestry of public school district stakeholders and explore the significance of their contributions. #EducationalLeader, Kim

We asked school leaders what’s slowing their school’s progress at the moment, through the lens of stakeholder responses to community changes and system demands, and this was their response. If this feels familiar, it might be time to consider a new approach. What have you got to lose? Find out more about partnering with Real Schools in 2025. https://hubs.ly/Q02X46xM0

📋 ICYMI: We have a Focus Bulletin that explores how educators, families and community members collaborate to promote equitable transitions for multilingual children in grades PreK-3. This resource gives examples and advice on: • Collaborating with MLs, their families and communities • Collaborating with educators and administrator • A collaboration tool to support transitions Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eRVFQHVY