Platform
We face a critical challenge to re-instill the value of public education. The ratings of our school system indicate that something is not working. Atlanta Public Schools spends nearly double the amount per student as other districts and has a budget greater than the city of Atlanta budget. However, our system has received a failing grade of D for three consecutive years, prepares only 40% of graduates for college, and has unequal academic outcomes. Our school system has unequal end-of-course (EOC) results in areas including science, math, and economics. Graduation rates for our schools vary widely as they range 8% to 90%. Our school system spends more to receive less, which cannot continue.
Every learner in our classrooms deserve quality education that yields academic excellence and social productivity. We must educate them for success in a rapidly changing world that is driven by scientific discovery and technological advancement. Our children cannot be left behind.
Education is an equalizer of conditions and balance-wheel of society. It is our duty to improve education policy by frameworks that promote quality outcomes and equity among learners. The foundation of effective policy is policy-makers who are able to examine and adapt evidence-based information to meet educational needs.
Improving education is an urgent matter. Unequal education has larger societal impacts including health status. Poor education leads to chronic health problems with disproportionate social increases in health costs. This challenge must be approached with improved policy to promoting innovative and student-centered educational delivery. Accomplishing this goal requires people, partnerships, and policy.
Together we can educate for success. I am ready to work with in partnership with people (you) to improve the quality and equality of education through effective policy and program evaluation.
What I offer
I offer my experience to the benefit our school system. Our children must not suffer from empty rhetoric to gain political office.
I urge voters to consider the skills, expertise, and experience of each candidate in solving problems using evidence to create meaningful policy. As a school board candidate, I have the above qualities and a record of advocacy for the people of Atlanta and Georgia by educating future physicians at Emory, providing healthcare at Grady Memorial Hospital , and engaging legislators.
As a physician, researcher, and public health professional I have the expertise to develop evidence-based and effective educational policy that meets the needs of our students and communities. As an educator and parent, I have genuine interest in the best for Atlanta and passion to see our children succeed. The effects of educational challenges are real to me because I work with those effects every day while helping people make informed life choices. I see first-hand the effect of education on behaviors and health throughout life.
Political candidates may reference study findings, but it does not mean they are able to critically appraise those findings against the needs of our children communities then formulate policy. I bring experience designing studies in response to our needs, the critical appraisal of data, and the application of results to solve problems.
Issues
Listening to stakeholders, constituents and children, is an important step in creating effective solutions. I have enjoyed listening to everyone during in-person meetings, e-mail messaging, and the online survey. The following issues are have been identified from these conversations.
It is important to ask your leaders and candidates their approach to addressing these issues. The policies that impact our lives are driven by data. It is therefore very important to gauge to ability of our leaders and candidates to work with people and data when approaching policy decisions.
- Graduation and dropout rates
- Achievement gaps
- Teacher recruitment and retention
- Effects of community development
- Effectiveness of current programs
Read my responses to questionnaires regarding these issues (here).