Elev8 On Capitol Hill

Parents of students in Elev8 schools around the country recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to share their public policy priorities with federal lawmakers. For many participants, it was their first time in the nation’s capital, and they hit the ground running.

Elev8 parents visited key legislative offices including: Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD); Congressman Steny Hoyer, (D-MD); Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL); Congressman Harry Teague (D-NM); Congressman Ben Lujan (D-NM); Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM); Senator Tom Udall (D-NM); Congressman Martin Heinrich, (D-NM); and the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Sonia Zamora, a parent of a 6th grade student at Orozco Academy in Chicago, told Susan Collins, legislative director for Congressman Luis Gutierrez, how important the extended day Elev8 programming has been for her family in a year when schools have seen severe budget cuts.

"The things I do at my daughter's school are from the heart without any agenda. But thanks to Elev8 and the trip to DC I have been given a platform and a plan of how to get other parents involved,” said Danny Stokes, parent of two students at United for Success in Oakland, CA.

Program staff, family advocates, and parents from Elev8 schools in New Mexico, Oakland, CA, Chicago, IL, and Baltimore, MD, met with members of Congress, legislative staff, and administration officials from May 17-19. It was the first Washington D.C advocacy trip that brought together parents from all four sites of the Elev8 initiative. Staff from The Atlantic Philanthropies and Public/Private Ventures also attended.

Bareana McAllister, mother of a 6th grade Elev8 Chicago student, said it was motivating to meet parents and staff from other Elev8 sites. "We can all relate—we're all going through he same things, just in different states," she said.

Elev8 prioritized three key advocacy areas during this trip:

• Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

• Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act

• Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Read more about Elev8's legislative priorities on our policy page.

The Elev8 New Mexico group meeting with Congressman Harry Teague.

Parents told the legislators and their staff how important funding for extended day programming had been in their communities; the benefits of school-based health care; and the difference that parental engagement has made on their children's academic success. They also lobbied for earmark requests and legislation specific to their communities.

In addition to the meetings, the group engaged in cross-site capacity building and workshops geared towards helping them become successful advocates. Parents discussed and exchanged strategies about "what works" when mobilizing around issues involving their children's education and shared ideas for improving communication and outreach. 

Elev8 at the Capitol Building.

"I've learned that children need outside support to succeed, as well as what they have at home," said McAllister.

Other parents talked about the lack of adequate information on college requirements and reading their children's transcripts. One recurring theme from the parents was that they wanted to feel welcomed into the school environments—a core mission of Elev8.

"Parents need to be involved in their children’s school because it is the best way to stay on them and make sure they get good grades," said Deanita Lewis, a parent from Oakland.

One highlight was the session led by Alberto Retaña, Director of Community Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education. Retaña was recruited by the Dept. of Ed. while working as a community organizer in Los Angeles.

He told the group a familiar story—his parents had to move to a “better” neighborhood in Los Angeles in order to send him to a “good” school.

“My parents have often reminded me, you shouldn’t have to leave your zip code to get a good education,” Retaña said.

Retaña was specifically hired by the Dept. of Ed. to accelerate parental engagement. He strives to represent Secretary Arne Duncan's commitment to engaging communities when making decisions about education. “People directly affected by things we need to change are the best suited to help us think about how to change them,” Retaña reiterated. He stressed to the parents that their voices are missing from the education debate.

Alberto Retaña speaking to the Elev8 representatives.

During Retaña’s presentation, the group strategized solutions to the drop-out crisis in low income communities. “We have to be creative about family outreach,” he said, "and knock on doors." Danny Stokes, from Oakland, agreed. “I just go get them! Start with the kids and then get the parents,” he said in earnestness.

Carrie Jasper, also from the Department of Education, underlined the key role that parents play in their child’s success. She also warned the room about people coming to their communities promising a solution—but never following up with the funding. “You have to get involved and make them accountable.”

Retaña promised he would live up to his words. When Jo Michelle Hale, a parent at Perspectives-Calumet middle school in Chicago, invited him to visit her school, he accepted, on the condition that he could meet with community members and students to make a plan, not merely make a speech.  

The parents left the conference energized and ready to bring the conversation back to their communities. "I'm going to tell the principal of my school that I spoke to Senator Feinstein's office about ESEA," said Deanita Lewis, a parent from Oakland.

"I'm going to reach out to other parents and get them involved," added Stokes.