Parent Advocates Voicing Opinions in Public Schools
By Robert Waddell, December 8, 2009
 Carmen Colon credits racism for making her a vocal parent advocate.
Colon said that she had volunteered on her children’s PTA for years but left because she was going through a divorce. When she returned, Colon saw that the make-up of the PTA had changed considerably and she was one of two people of color on an all-white association. Making matters increasingly difficult, Colon said that she felt marganilized, her ideas and voice ignored. She decided to run against the PTA president and won.
This was the germ that gave her the idea to found The Association of New York City Education Councils in New York City, which provides workshops and training for parents so they can know their rights and what action to take on behalf of their children.
“There was no place else to go,” said Colon. “After Mayoral control, there were constant complaints but no answers….We had no choice but to protect our rights.”
Colon’s ANYCEC represents a growing number of parent groups nationwide who want an input into their children’s education. In New York City, Mayoral control has eroded parental involvement into student’s education, said Colon.
Since it’s inception in 2006, ANYCEC has trained parents in leadership and in their rights. Colon said three years ago, parents from Los Angeles visited with ANYCEC in order to receive training and return to California in order to learn how to advocate for and make a difference in their children’s schools.
“Carmen is…the drive that spirited many of us to come together to preserve parents and children as a priority,” said Zella Knight, a parent advocate in Los Angles. “This is…about perfecting our children's dreams and quality of life…It is about parents elevating their status as the decision makers that that they are called upon to be.”
Scott Folsom, another Los Angles parent advocate, said that Colon opened his eyes to how bad it can be and how good it can get for parents and students, and what needed to be done, he said.
“Carmen does what she does with humor and love and hard, hard work,” said Folsom.
For decades in New York City, more established advocacy groups include Advocates for Children have fought for parents and children’s rights. AFC created Inside Schools.org where parents go into schools, evaluate teachers and principals then rate and put their reviews on a website for other parents city-wide.
Colon said that all her involvement was about empowering parents to make the right educational decisions for their children and be involved in the process of education.
“Making an informed decision…,” said Colon, “You don’t bicker…you work through the problem and do what’s best for school children.”
This story was developed through the Education Beat Writing Fellowship at the New York Community Alliance. |
