* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:B025
Title:Equitable Education for All Our Children
Topic:Education
Committee:10 - Social and Urban Affairs
House of Initial Action:Bishops
Proposer:The Rt. Rev. Catherine S. Roskam

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church meeting in Anaheim, California urge dioceses to encourage every congregation to develop a partnership with a local public school; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention urge every Episcopalian to give 40 hours a year in support of public education through direct service, participation in community based educational enrichment opportunities, advocacy and/or teacher support; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention call upon the United States government to support policies and funding priorities that support equity in public education for all young people; and be it further

Resolved, That the results of these efforts be communicated to the 77th General Convention.


EXPLANATION

America's public school are more segregated now than when Brown v. The Board of Education was decided more than fifty years ago. Inequities in funding and policy support mean that many of our children become more marginalized every day that they sit in inadequate classrooms.

Public education serves the backbone of our democracy and respect for the dignity of every child carries out our Incarnational faith. Improving public education will do more to reduce domestic poverty than any other single effort.

The Diocese of New York together with Trinity Wall Street, The Episcopal Urban Caucus, and St. Paul's Church in Richmond, VA are among many other parishes, dioceses and organizations that have taken up the cause of engaging their local schools to help raise a generation of leaders.


* Note: The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 76th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.