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Patterson Research Institute  \nTHE LIFT EVERY VOICE AND LEAD TOOLKIT:  \nA Community Leader’s Advocacy Resource for K-12 Education  \nAuthor: Meredith B.L. Anderson, Ph.D.  \nAcknowledgments  \nThe author would like to thank Sekou Biddle, Naomi Shelton, Charles Thompson III, Krysten Reid, Kameelah Shaheed-Diallo, Jonathan Atkins, Ashley Miller, Brittany Harris and Ashley Kearny who provided great feedback on previous drafts and outlines.  \nBloomberg Philanthropies ([www.bloomberg.org](www.bloomberg.org)) generously funded the research for this brief.  \nSuggested citation: Anderson, M. B. L. (2017) . The Lift Every Voice and Lead Toolkit: A Community Leader’s Advocacy Resource for K-12 Education. Washington, D. C: Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, UNCF.  \n© 2017, UNCF. All rights reserved.  \nTable of Contents  \nIntroduction ................................................................... 3  \nEducation Talking Points and Facts ............................. 5  \n10 Tips for Community Engagement and Advocacy......8  \nAdvocacy in Action...................................................... 11  \nSample Template for Writing an Elected Official......13  \nConclusion ................................................................... 14  \nAppendix ...................................................................... 15  \nQuick Guide: K-12 Advocacy Checklist...................... 17  \nEndnotes ...................................................................... 18  \nUNCF is elevating awareness and discourse of the college readiness crisis and empowering the African American community—specifically grasstops leaders, HBCU presidentsand parents—to improve educational outcomes for African American students along the P-20 pipeline.  \nTHE LIFT EVERY VOICE AND LEAD TOOLKIT: A COMMUNITY LEADER’S ADVOCACY RESOURCE FOR K-12 EDUCATION 02  \nre•form: rə’fôrm/ verb  \nmake changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it. \"an opportunity to reform and restructure an antiquated schooling model\"  \nsynonyms: improve, better, make better, ameliorate, refine  \nnoun  \nthe action or process of reforming an institution or practice. synonyms: improvement, amelioration, refinement  \nIntroduction  \nWhile the definition of reform is straightforward, education reform has become more political and strained over the last 25 years. Despite various policy initiatives and reforms, achievement and opportunity gaps still persist throughout the United States. Recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results show that only 17 percent of African American 12th graders were proficient in reading, compared to 46 percent for white students. African American students often have less access to rigorous coursework in school and are more underrepresented in AP and gifted and talented programs than other students. African American students are also more likely to attend schools with fewer financial resources—and less qualified and paid teachers—than white students. Because of these and other opportunity gaps, almost two out of five African American first-and second-year undergraduate students take remedial courses after high school, which often places additional financial burdens on students and families. i  \nK-12 advocacy and the creation of a true P-16 pipeline is a collective effort; it takes collaboration from multiple individuals and community stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, students, parents, non-profit leaders, policymakers and community leaders  \n03 THE LIFT EVERY VOICE AND LEAD TOOLKIT: A COMMUNITY LEADER’S ADVOCACY RESOURCE FOR K-12 EDUCATION  \nThis brief encourages leaders to utilize their influence to help alleviate the long-standing achievement gaps in the education system, because when students flourish, entire communities can flourish as well","cbCaiodDIMfH3m4y","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiodDIMfH3m4y","pdf",1524951,"English","# Introduction\n# Education Talking Points and Facts\n# 10 Tips for Community Engagement and Advocacy\n# Advocacy in Action\n# Sample Template for Writing an Elected Official\n# Conclusion\n# Appendix\n# Quick Guide: K-12 Advocacy Checklist\n# Endnotes","[{\"question\":\"Why does the toolkit focus on education reform and advocacy?\",\"answer\":\"Education reform has become increasingly political while achievement and opportunity gaps persist. The toolkit encourages leaders to use their influence to help alleviate long-standing gaps so students and communities can flourish.\"},{\"question\":\"What disparities does the toolkit highlight for African American students?\",\"answer\":\"It cites NAEP results showing low reading proficiency for African American 12th graders compared with white students. It also notes lower access to rigorous coursework, underrepresentation in AP and gifted programs, and attendance at schools with fewer financial resources and less qualified staffing.\"},{\"question\":\"How was the toolkit shaped by community leaders’ input?\",\"answer\":\"UNCF surveyed over 600 African American community leaders to gauge perspectives and engagement potential. Findings showed leaders felt a strong responsibility to improve education but lacked information and tools, and 96% expressed interest in learning ways to better advocate.\"}]","THE LIFT EVERY VOICE AND LEAD TOOLKIT - A Community Leader’s Advocacy Resource for K-12 Education - Toolkit | PDF",1792051081]