Education From The Top

With the adoption of No Child Left Behind in 2001, School Boards have been faced with the challenge of creating learning environments that will eliminate the achievement gap. To achieve this goal schools have struggled with assessing past practices and policies that either support or inhibit the learning success of all students.

Thus, schools administrators, teachers and Board members have sought ways to refine their individual as well as collective efforts for systemic change. As we clearly identify in Prince George's County, change of this magnitude requires both pressure and support from leaders. 

"An organization that changes practices without changing beliefs will quickly revert to the old practices."

An effective School Board member must be clear of those changes that will lead to what I label "Social Justice Advocacy." Social justice advocacy ensures that ALL learners have access to high quality instruction in a positive learning environment. This can only be achieved in District 8 if we have a School Board member who will:

• Question the way policy is administered
• Participate in the agenda setting as they raise significant issues
• Target political systems “because those systems are not responding to people’s needs”
• Are inclusive and engaging
• Propose policy solutions
• Open up space for public argumentation

I believe that leadership experience in these challenging times will provide a new set of skills which will serve to engage constituents, administrators, teachers and other School Board members in the creation of instructional equity in an inclusive learning environment.

It is time to commit to working together in pursuit of the school mission, that above all else, “Children First.”

Orlando J. Bego, Candidate

Prince George’s County School Board District 8

www.voteOJBego.com