Session 15: Turning Community Voices Into New Educational Policy: A Puerto Rican Story

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A model K-16 collaboration has evolved into an ambitious blueprint for transforming Puerto Rico’s K-12 public system. Beginning in 1993 in eight high poverty schools, the K-16 collaboration, under the auspices of the Ford Foundation’s Urban Partnerships Programs and the leadership of Universidad del Sagrado Corazon, has evolved into a remarkable catalyst for change. The model’s hallmarks include community involvement, collaborative work, and professional development for teachers and school staff. In addition to transforming the teacher-preparation curriculum at the island’s leading university, the project has served 72 schools, developed educational TV programs, and inspired creation of the Institute of Educational Policy for Community Development, which works for systemic change in Puerto Rican education. Learn about this successful project and similar efforts in the United States.

Presenters:
Nyvea Silva, executive director;
Jocelyn A. Medina, educational policy unit coordinator;
Adalexis Rios, founder, Institute of Educational Policy for Community Development, Universidad del Sagrado Corazon, San Juan, Puerto Rico