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Jones, EdD, MSW, Theodore - Statewide

Are you an incumbent?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on students mental health. As a school social worker, I have seen first hand how students' mental and behavioral problems act as a barrier to students being able to fully achieve in the school environment. One of the things I will work to improve if elected is ensuring that more schools have access to wrap around services that offer psychological and behavioral support as well as ensuring that we can recruit more school social workers and therapists for all school districts.

Brief Intro of Candidate

The issue of disproportionate Black student achievement is an issue that is intimately connected with chronic disinvestment in education funding in general. Compared with what our state was spending on education in 2008, we have cut education funding by $5 billion. Michigan now ranks 41st amongst states in education quality. If elected, I will address this challenge in several ways. My work on the Board will be devoted to raising to raising this as the number one issue that we should collectively address. This would include leading on the Board to commission more studies on the education funding issue and to create a roadmap that the state can follow to raise education funding and allocate it to local districts more equitably. Also, I will lead on how we can effectively lobby the Michigan Legislature to raise education funding. What's more, I believe we need to go further. I will advocate for additional weighted funding formulas for students that are in poverty so that they will receive additional funding. Finally, Black student achievement can also be improved by ensuring that urban school districts are able to attract and retain high quality teachers, have access to tutoring and intensive small group instruction, and learn in school buildings that are well maintained and conducive to a good learning environment.

Endorsements

I intend to be a coalition builder and visit local communities around the state to ensure that I am gathering ideas and different perspectives on what parents, students, and other stakeholders want regarding curriculum and policy making. As the State Board of Education (SBE) does not directly set budgets for statewide, we do make recommendations to the State Legislature. I will consult with parents, students, and other stakeholders to inform what budget recommendations I make to the SBE.

Top financials Contributors

Website and social media links

I am in favor of restorative practices over school discipline that centers on zero tolerance. Harsh school discipline, especially practices that result in high levels of suspensions and expulsions, often leads to students ending up on the school to prison pipeline. However, the use of restorative practices helps to reduce future disciplinary infractions, improves the school climate overall, and has been found to reduce the number of suspensions and expulsions.

I am running for a seat on the Michigan State Board of Education because education is deeply personal to me. I come from a family of educators. I have worked as a teacher and school social worker. I was also a central office administrator for Detroit Public Schools Community District for six years during which I earned a doctorate in educational leadership.

Education transformed my family’s future. My grandfather’s pursuit of education lifted our family from poverty to the middle class in a single generation. That is the power of education, and it should be accessible to all students.

However, I believe we are losing that power here in Michigan due to chronic disinvestment in our schools and educators. I am running to reverse this trend, to address the challenges that our schools face, and to advocate for policies that will improve educational quality and attainment.

How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?

Inclusion begins with open dialogue. We need to ensure that all students and families are able to voice their concerns regarding a lack of inclusion. Also, we must ensure that teachers and administrators are truly devoted to take to heart what they are sharing and take positive steps to correct identified barrier to inclusion. This can be achieved by SBE policies that give guidance to intermediate and local school districts on how to best create space for these courageous conversations.

What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?

The state of Michigan is encountering a chronic teacher shortage. A large part of this shortage has to do with chronic disinvestment in education, and teachers not being paid adequately nor given the proper support and resources to be their most effective. If elected, as I fight for increased education funding, I will also make it a goal to advocate for increased teacher salaries, benefits, and improved school buildings. Also, I believe that school districts need to take proactive strategies to increase the number of staff of color. To do this, I will advocate for recruitment efforts at the state and local level that target historically black colleges with teaching programs for their graduates to come to Michigan to teach.

What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health

School Funding and Finance, School Discipline

What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?

What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?

What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?

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