Youth ROC Represents Students at Community Forum on Education

Youth ROC members from across Wisconsin were at the Light of Day Community Forum on Education, Nov. 21, at Holy Redeemer Church in Milwaukee.

Four students were invited by 4th District State Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee) to sit on the forum panel. Youth ROC members tackled issues facing youth in school, including parental involvement, high student fees, teacher cuts, and the lack of adequate supplies. Students were able to talk directly to Sen. Taylor as well as to teachers and parents who sat on the panel and in the audience.

At one point during the forum the student perspective became extremely important. Dr. Demond Means, co-superintendent of the Mequon-Thiensville School District, said that education was a political issue and anyone who got involved had to be “smart”.

In response, Montréal Cain, a senior at Milwaukee’s Bradley Tech High School, said, “I absolutely and positively have to disagree with anyone who thinks you have to be ‘smart’ to be involved. As students we live in our schools everyday. We’re already experts; we don’t need a degree to get involved. Everyone including parents, teachers, and students should be involved”.

Participating in the community education forum was a great opportunity for students. They were able to tell the community that high school students are suffering everyday because of budget cuts. They were also able to ask Sen. Taylor and all elected representatives to make school finance reform their top priority.

In the spring, students from across Wisconsin will come together to organize a youth summit on education to be held in Madison. Students will organize workshops to educate their peers on issues facing schools due to the budget crisis. In addition, state legislators will attend and students will have the opportunity to lobby them by asking for help in finding a solution to the school funding crisis.

For more information on Youth ROC organizing team activities or to start a Youth ROC club at your school, please contact Jennifer Epps or Alexis Anderson at 414-384-9094.

— Youth ROC intern Kay Yang, a student at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts

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