STATE OF WASHINGTON
COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS
P.O. Box 40926 Olympia, Washington 98504-0926 (360) 725-5664 rjenkins@caa.wa.gov
Regular Commission Meeting Minutes
June 12, 2007
Norm Dicks Government Center (Bremerton City Hall), Bremerton, WA
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Attendees:
Commissioners and Staff: Commission Chairman Oscar Eason Jr., Winona Hollins-Hauge, Joe Hooks, Rev. Dennis Payne, Commission Director Rosalund Jenkins, Assistant Pam Morris
Members of the public: Tony Benton, Robert S. Boddie Jr., Harriett Bryant, Marian C, Pastor Frankie Coleman, Vicki M. Collins, Gerita Cochran, Marty Cruncher, Darrell Fields, Dr. Rev. Jerry Hebert, Essence Henderson, Rep. Patricia Lantz, D – 26th District, Bremerton , Heidi Henderson-Lewis, Betty Hyde, Bremerton School District, Dr. Thelma Jackson, Linda Jenkins, Grover Johnson, Hannah Johnson, Eugenie Jones Tracey Jones, Shanaiah Joyce, Victoria Moreland, Minster W.D. Patterson, Sylvia Payne, Pastor Sam Rachal Jr., Dianne P. Robinson, Thomas Shapley, Marie Starkweather, Anthony Strickland, J.D. Sweet, Isom Taylor, Wonda Thomas, Keandra Thompson, Cory Underwood, Wendy Wright.
The meeting was called to order and roll taken by Eason Jr. Jenkins reported the names of the Commissioners who state they would not be in attendance for today’s meeting. Commissioner Earl Ford, Commissioner Anne M. Huston-Rogers, Commissioner Deena Pierott, Commissioner Michael J. Tate, all excused.
Payne gave a recap of the education commitment from April 5th session.
Jenkins gave a staff report and viewing of the website progress the expected launch date is June 30, 2007. She also showed screening video from Legislative Day 07.
Hollins-Hauge asked the group to give Jenkins a around of applause for the amazing work; she has done in constructing the website to this point right after Legislative Day.
Roundtable Discussion the Commissioners agreed review strategic plan draft, and send comments to Jenkins and discuss implementation at our next Commission Meeting.
Fieldss gave Jenkins kudos on her outstanding leadership of the Commission and also stated her effort will leave a great legacy.
Public Comment Period
Grover Johnson shared that A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) has scholarships for summer school that requested that it be added to the Commission list of scholarships.
Grover Johnson reported in May, Tabor 100 members and other stakeholders in the community joined in forming an “Accountability Coalition. The purpose of this effort was to develop a white paper to be forwarded to Gov. Gregoire in response to the vacancy in the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises.
The white paper highlights where Tabor 100’s and the others believe the agency’s focus should be and where some of the deficiencies lie.
Boddie Jr. and Rachal of Community Leadership Coalition & Alliance (CLCA) presented a letter to Payne and the Commission regarding their issues of concern. Jenkins thanked them for their letter and assured them that they would receive a written response to address their concerns.
Sweep of (CLCA) asked, what is the point of having a Commission and Commissioners if people in the community do not know that it exists? He stated that the African American community in Kitsap County needs to be proactive with issues affecting the local community with leaders, with strong grass roots in the community.
Robinson, Bremerton City Council member and founder of the Black Historical Society of Kitsap County, she welcomed and thanked the Commission for coming to Bremerton. She stated she has a reading program for 8-9 grades it is a 6 week program. She invited the community to come and help. Robinson communicated that the city of Bremerton is doing great things and urged Black people to get out and take part.
Hebert, Washington State Human Rights Commissioner shared that today is the Marriage Equality Bill anniversary. June 12, 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia on June 12, 1967 which struck down the remaining interracial marriage bans in 16 states in the United States, ending race discrimination in marriage. He thanked the Commission for its work on many difference fronts.
Henderson-Lewis Office of the Education Ombudsman, She said this office was created to assist elementary and secondary public school students and families in Washington. The goal is to help understand how the public school system works, how to find education-related resources and how to resolve conflict with schools. This agency is independent and neutral and not a part of the state public education system.
Contact information
Office of the Education Ombudsman
1110 Capitol Way S, Suite 304
PO Box 40004
Olympia, WA 98504-0004
Toll free: 1-866-297-2597
Open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Interpreter services for over 100 languages available
Minster W.D. Patterson of Out Reach Ministries USA asked what is the Commission doing to address issues regarding the cultural communication divide? Jenkins replied it is the Commission’s intent to address that issue in the health care arena in our fact finding, we have discovered there is a lack of trust for healthcare providers in African American community.
Our website includes information on the Health Navigator Program funded this session to address this problem.
Hollins-Hauge gave a briefing on the Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities. She is a member of the advisory committee representing, the Commission.
The Council intends to create a state action plan for eliminating health disparities in Washington State by 2012. The plan will look at health disparities broadly and also must specifically address a number of diseases and conditions specified in the legislation.
To learn more about the Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities visit our website health page there is a link to Council’s page.
Eugenie Jones Education Consultant owner and operator of LifeWork Training Management and Wellness, gave an overview of her company and asked the Commission to share her information on the upcoming web-site.
Jenkins replied that the website will host a directory of African American Business and the commission would certainly include her information.
Taylor of UJIMA Consultants and representing Bembry Consulting Services, requested that the Commission write a letter of support to the Washington State Parks Department for a proposed WASL Camp hosted at Environmental Learning Centers (ELC) and Conference Center. The Commission requested that Taylor sent his requests in writing. Taylor agreed.
Lunch is served
Dr. Thelma Jackson of Foresight Consultants gave a briefing on Community Partnership Grants.
Purpose:
To improve student achievement by supporting the implementation of comprehensive school reforms based on scientifically-based research and effective practices so that all children, especially those in low performing schools can meet challenging state standards.
The program is built on the premise that unified, coherent and integrated strategies for improvement, knitted together into a comprehensive design, work better than the same strategies implemented in isolation from each other.
Provides Funding For:
Low performing schools to develop a comprehensive reform program that has been found through SBR (or strong evidence) to significantly improve the academic achievement of participating students.
Priority must be given to schools identified as being in need of improvement or corrective action under 1116(c) of the ESEA –though any, LEA may apply for CSR appropriated under FIE authority – whether or not school is eligible for Title I, Part A.
Key Requirements:
- A CSR program must address each of the following 11 components in a comprehensive and integrated design.
1. Proven Methods and Strategies Based on Scientifically-Based Research
2. Comprehensive Design
3. Professional Development
4. Measurable Goals and Benchmarks
5. Support within the School
6. Support for Teachers and Principals
7. Parental and Community Involvement
8. External Technical Support and Assistance
9. Annual Evaluation
10. Coordination of Resources
11. Strategies that Improve Academic Achievement - Minimum award of $50,000 per year
- For three years
- Requires that the school program is found through, scientifically based research, to improve the academic achievement of participating students
- Requires district support and TA
- Not for planning or fact finding purposes
- Sustainability
Jackson stated that six pilot projects were formed and five of these will continue and Kitsap is one of the five. It has taken longer than anticipated to get up and running, they need more time to document if gains were made using these pilot projects. She stressed that the school can not do it alone.
Jenkins thanked Jackson for her hard work and commitment to helping improve education for African American student s in the state of Washington.
Representative Lantz of the 26th District, Bremerton, she is the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. This committee considers a wide variety of subjects relating to civil and criminal law, including issues involving commercial law, torts, probate, guardianships, drunk driving, courts and judicial administration; and family law issues such as marriage, marriage dissolution, child support and adoption.
Lantz gave a short briefing on the state of African American children in Washington’s public school systems.
She recommend the book “Enough,” she shared that it has been most helpful in guiding her with issues effecting African Americans. The book’s author is Juan Williams, NPR Senior Correspondent. This book laments the state of black leadership.
She gave a briefing on education legislation passed on Monday, June 4th that would set the stage for several achievement-focused initiatives that stemmed from the Washington Learns recommendations.
Lantz stated we need to dwell on challenges and keep working on the numbers. Money alone and the facts alone will not solve the problems. She does not think lowering the education standards is the right thing to do.
She asked what some of the Black community’s expectations and concerns are.
Feedback from the audience:
- Concern with any child being left out
- Holding the system accountable
- That all students get the education needed to be successful
She shared information on upcoming school safety forum sponsored by the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals , Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management.
The WA State K-20 School Safety Forum provides an opportunity to hear from national leaders in school safety and violence prevention on successful approaches to developing and implementing safety plans.
June 18th is an invitation-only event designed for WA State K-12, university, and community college administrators responsible for safety plan development.
June 19th is open to all interested parties. There will be a session on the development and implementation of school safety plans as well as a session on the establishment and implementation of a school threat assessment and management program.
Hooks requested that staff send him the information regarding this forum.
Jenkins shared that the Commission has a Black Education Roundtable would like to work with legislators.
Benton of Clear Channel asked the Commission to support a statewide Award for Excellence in Hip Hop that would model after The Annual Seattle Mayor's Award for Excellence in Hip Hop. This award acknowledges and honors innovative performance, community service and entrepreneurial achievement by locally based members for the hip-hop community whose work has had significant impact in Seattle.
He disclosed that he is on the board of Thrive by Five Washington. This organization believes that parents are a child’s first and most important teachers and that literacy development begins with the first words a parent speaks to their new baby. The best early literacy programs help parents and caregivers engage and foster a child’s natural curiosity, and extend their capacities though through nurturing relationships—with lots of talking and supportive interaction.
Benton conveyed that he advocacy learning thru music, and to reaching out to people where they are, he stated that in order to reach the next generation effectively that means reaching out to the Hip Hop communities.
The Commission requested that Benton send his request in writing. He agreed.
Hyde and Linda Jenkins of the Bremerton School District gave a briefing on the district’s efforts. Improving student achievement is their major focus along with setting high expectations for students and staff.
With emphasis on early learning recent tests show 92.3% of all Bremerton FREE All-Day Kindergarten students are reading at benchmark!! This is a dramatic increase over last year (2005-06), when only 79% of Kindergarteners had reached this level of proficiency by the end of the school year. Bremerton School District is the first district in Kitsap County to offer FREE All-Day Kindergarten to all children. Half-day and Spanish Immersion programs are also available.
Below is a recap of the district’s goals.
The District will meet or exceed all requirements of No Child Left Behind. They will close the achievement gap in all schools.
The District’s content area student performance on the WASL will meet or exceed State averages at grades 3 through 8 and 10.
All students will be reading at grade level by the time they leave 3rd grade and performing grade appropriate mathematics by the time they leave 5th grade.
All secondary schools will implement collaborative, powerful teaching to enhance student achievement and meet diverse student needs. Offer options and opportunities for students to achieve.
Continue elementary school learning achievement improvements with increased focus in math.
Significantly improve learning achievement growth and assessment results at the secondary level.
Increase high school graduation rates by at least 10% annually. Provide safe, supportive learning environments for students and staff.
Develop and implement aggressive strategies for recruiting, hiring, and retaining high quality staff, with emphasis on staff from under-represented groups.
Implement a system to pilot various types of incentives to expand powerful teaching and learning in our secondary schools.
Encourage partnerships with families and communities.
Develop and implement a coordinated set of strategies for increasing public understanding and good will, and for increasing district-business partnerships. Educate the community about the strengths and progress of the Bremerton School District.
Adjournment:
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