Abstract

Nelson Mandela famously believed that “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” But what happens when pervasive equity issues within our local educational systems directly impact the delivery of quality education, educational experiences, access to education, and education outcomes? We propose and seek funding for a multi-day workshop and subsequent follow-up session at The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts to explore and partner to respond to these educational inequities within the city and town of Poughkeepsie. Our goal is to develop avenues for coordination between programs and services that support young people in completing their secondary education and, in doing so, avoid surveillance, discipline, and involvement in the juvenile and criminal justice systems both within and outside school. This proposal arises from months of conversations between members of local community organizations and faculty from Vassar, Marist, and Dutchess Community Colleges, all of whom are interested in collaborating to assess the effectiveness of existing programs serving local young people. Those conversations revealed a pressing need for an ongoing network of communication and coordination among the colleges, community organizations, and local schools (i.e., Arlington Central School District and Poughkeepsie City School District). The workshop we propose is the first step in establishing such a network.

This workshop will serve as an exemplary model of academic engagement, collaboration, and community involvement, making it an ideal Signature Program for The Vassar Institute.