AURA grew from a much longer effort to understand why educational systems can know inequity exists, possess data demonstrating that it exists, publicly commit to addressing it, and still struggle to change the everyday practices and conditions producing those outcomes. My 2019 graduate school work documents the early systems thinking that would eventually develop into AURA.
College and career go together. Use IEP transition planning to combine dual credit, Career and Technical Education, apprenticeships, paid work, and industry certifications. Add mentors from Black owned and community owned businesses, and from real workplaces like professional kitchens. Track completion rates, paid hours, and supervisor feedback with work based learning logs, then organize artifacts with a student Portfolio Checklist.
Partnerships work best when they are local, accountable, and organized. Build a partner database that centers Black-owned and community-owned businesses, secures MOUs and DSAs that comply with FERPA, matches students by IEP supports and interests, tracks paid hours and outcomes, and publishes a quarterly dashboard. System beats heroics.
We want to connect equity to every component of Education. That only happens if we are willing to eliminate ineffective support strategies our children receive and build the elements necessary to create a positive, systematic approach to equitable Education for all students.
