The energy of advocacy: Rewriting the future of education | Yazmine Verdieu | TEDxInglewood

Educational Inequity & Funding Disparity - Over 60% of minority students commute from communities to schools in more affluent areas [2] - Inner city schools have overcrowded classrooms with over 30 students, more than double the average of 11 students in schools in affluent areas like Laguna Beach and Beverly Hills [5] - Less than 35% of students in inner city schools meet California state standards in math and reading, compared to 65-80% in more affluent areas [6] - School funding is based on local property taxes, leading to disparities between wealthier and lower-income neighborhoods [8] Advocacy & Solutions - Advocacy is essential to challenge educational injustice and promote change [10] - Community organization and legal action can redirect funding to underserved schools, as demonstrated by parents in Chicago who won millions in funding for Black and Latino schools [10][11] - Community advocacy can prevent school closures in underserved neighborhoods [12] - The Local Control Funding Formula in California aims to provide more resources to schools with the highest need [12][13] Systemic Issues & Call to Action - Segregation has shifted from physical spaces to zip codes, perpetuating inequality [8] - Well-meaning laws often fall short in implementation and create unfunded mandates for struggling schools [9] - The digital divide, exposed during the pandemic, highlights existing inequalities in access to resources [14][15] - Individuals are encouraged to speak out, step up, and address uncomfortable truths to redefine education and change futures [15][16]