Parent, teacher advocacy groups form coalition to push for more FCPS accountability

Leaders of parent advocacy groups, teacher organizations, and community groups announced the formation of the Fairfax Education Coalition (FEC) Jan. 20 “to advocate for improved accountability, transparency, and community participation in the Fairfax County Public Schools’ decision-making process.”

Coalition members include representatives from the Fairfax Coalition of Advocates for Public Schools (FairfaxCAPS), the Fairfax County Association for the Gifted, the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, Fairfax Education Association, FAIRGRADE, SLEEP, and Zero Tolerance Reform.

“Although we represent different interests and constituencies,” the groups that are part of the FEC “share many common interests and positions,” says the coalition’s president, Megan McLaughlin, who also serves as president of FAIRGRADE.

“Primarily, we’re sharing information, pooling resources, and exchanging valuable viewpoints for improving our public schools and the educational process. And in addition, we hope to serve as a resource for our overworked and understaffed school board members,” McLaughlin says.

FEC’s main goals are to monitor and report on the actions of the FCPS administration and school board and increase public awareness. FEC members rotate responsibilities in covering school board work sessions and regular meetings, taking detailed notes and sharing information with fellow FEC members, the public, and the media.

FEC Vice President and long-time parent advocate Walt Carlson says the FEC website will publish information on school board activities, the school budget, class size comparisons, program costs, staffing ratios, and other issues. “We hope to fulfill a need for parents and the media who want to stay current with specific issues affecting FCPS but who may not have the time or ability to attend the many FCPS meetings where these issues are discussed,” he says.