Chavez Schools 4th Annual Public Policy Symposium Program

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Georgetown University Rafik B. Hariri Building

Lohrfink Auditorium

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Welcome & Introduction of Joan Massey Public Policy Program Chief Executive Officer Chavez Schools Keynote Presentation Jamal Simmons Co-Founder FLYCLIQUE

Introduction of Symposium Erik Jones Thesis Teacher & Symposium Moderator Chavez Schools

Thesis Presentations Monet Deadwyler Israel & Palestine Conflict

Damani Jasper Student Loan Debt Shayla Johnson Militarization of the Police Panelist Roundtable Chanelle Hardy David Johns Nina Rees Julie Chavez Rodriguez Ursula Wright

Audience Question & Answer

Closing Remarks Joan Massey Chief Executive Officer Chavez Schools

PROGRAM

Office of the President Georgetown University

June 5, 2015 Dear Friends and Supporters:

We are honored to welcome you to Georgetown University and to the Annual Public Policy Symposium, which we are pleased to host with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy. Thank you for taking the time to be with us today; we appreciate your dedicated support of the District of Columbia’s young people.

We look forward to hearing from three of Chavez’ graduating high school seniors who have been honored with the opportunity to present their research to you. They have identified pressing issues that impact our community and the world and have worked tirelessly over the past year to research and address those issues. The passion and dedication that these students have demonstrated in creating projects of this depth is truly inspiring.

The Chavez Schools’ mission of empowering its scholars to engage in creating a world that is more just, free and equal resonates deeply with Georgetown. As a Catholic and Jesuit university, we challenge our students to become men and women in the service of others, bringing thoughtful scholarship and service to solve the problems that face our world. We know that the experiences that Chavez scholars have form an important foundation for becoming agents for positive change in their communities and in the world.

Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate these talented students and allow this symposium to energize and inspire us as we pursue a vision for an ever better world.

You all have my very best wishes.

Sincerely,

John J. DeGioia

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ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM

Each year, every Chavez senior presents and defends their thesis findings on some of our nation’s most pressing public policy issues. The symposium is a dynamic event where three students are chosen to present their thesis in front of local and national policy makers, and civic leaders. The senior thesis class, a graduation requirement at the Chavez Schools, requires scholars to analyze a public policy issue of their choice, write a 15-page paper, and defend it to an external panel of policy professionals.

In their papers, scholars give a brief descriptive background, analyze a current public policy, and share recommendations on how to improve or change the policy. Scholars are tasked with identifying the key controversial tensions or controversies at the root of their chosen public policy issue, providing principal arguments on either side of the controversy or tension, before arguing that one side is stronger. Since these concepts lie at the root of many public policies, scholars will have learned not just about one specific issue, but rather how to analyze public policy, in general. This process is the culminating event of their high school experience. The hope is that when scholars are faced with public policy issues in the future, they will rely on the tools and skills learned in their senior year and be able to identify and apply these same universal tensions.

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ABOUT KEYNOTE

JAMAL SIMMONS

Jamal Simmons has spent two decades at the nexus between politics and media and now technology. He helped elect Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to the presidency and has advised the White House, members of Congress, the Cabinet and corporate, foundation and faith leaders on communications issues. Jamal was the lead interviewer for The Root 100 miniseries (2013) on Magic Johnson’s Aspire TV network; a political analyst for CBS News in 2010; and a fixture on CNN during the 2008 Presidential campaign. Currently, in addition to appearing on MSNBC and advising clients, he is a co-founder of FLYCLIQUE, a digital platform that connects Millennial innovators, entrepreneurs, coders, gamers and designers. Jamal is an honorary board member of the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation and holds degrees from Morehouse College and Harvard University.

@jamalsimmons


ABOUT THE PANELISTS

CHANELLE HARDYChief of Staff and Media Legal Advisor Office of Commissioner Mignon ClyburnFederal Communications Commission

Chanelle Hardy serves as Chief of Staff to the Commissioner and Media Legal Advisor. Ms. Hardy joined the Commission in May 2015 following a five-year stint as Senior Vice President for Policy and Director of the Washington Bureau for the National Urban League, a 104-year old civil rights and direct services organization focusing on economic empowerment and social justice for communities of color and low-income Americans. Prior to that, Ms. Hardy served as a Counsel and Chief of Staff to US Congressman Artur Davis, as a Staff Attorney for the Federal Trade Commission Enforcement Bureau, as a Fellow and Legislative Counsel for Consumers Union, and as a fifth-grade teacher Teach for America teacher for Washington, DC Public Schools. Ms. Hardy holds a J.D. from the Howard University School of Law.

DAVID JOHNS Executive DirectorWhite House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans

As executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, Johns works to identify evidence-based best practices to improve African American student achievement—from cradle to career. The initiative works across federal agencies and with partners and communities nationwide to produce a more effective continuum of education programs for African American students.

Prior to joining the Department, Johns was a senior education policy advisor to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) under the leadership of Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. Before working for the Senate HELP committee, under Chairman Harkin, Johns served under the leadership of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass. Johns also was a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellow in the office of Congressman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. Johns has worked on issues affecting low-income and minority students, neglected youth and early childhood education, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). His research as an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow served as a catalyst to identify, disrupt and supplant negative perceptions of black males, both within academia and society. Johns is committed to volunteer services and maintains an active commitment to improve literacy among adolescent minority males.

Johns obtained a master’s degree in sociology and education policy at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he graduated summa cum laude while simultaneously teaching elementary school in New York City. He graduated with honors from Columbia University in 2004 with a triple major in English, creative writing and African American studies.

NINA REESPresident & CEONational Alliance for Public Charter Schools

Nina Rees is the president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Nina has over 20 years of experience in Washington, D.C., most recently as senior vice president for strategic initiatives for Knowledge Universe, a leading global education company with investments in early childhood education, before- and after-school programs, and online instruction. Previously, she served as the first assistant deputy secretary for innovation and improvement at the U.S. Department of Education. In this capacity, she oversaw the administration of 28 grant programs supporting 1,300 projects and was responsible for spearheading innovative federal programs and policies such as school choice, charter schools, alternative routes to teacher certification, and school leadership. She also helped coordinate the implementation of several provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. Prior to joining the Education

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Department, Nina served as deputy assistant for domestic policy to Vice President Dick Cheney. Nina has also served as the senior education analyst at the Heritage Foundation, where she authored more than two dozen policy briefs and served as the foundation’s chief spokesperson on education. She has appeared on various news outlets including CNN, C-Span and PBS’s NewsHour and her articles and opinions have been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. Nina currently serves on the boards of advisers of the Education Policy and Governance Program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and the National Association of Charter School Authorizers. She also writes a weekly blog for U.S. News & World Report. Nina holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Virginia Tech and a master of arts degree in international transactions from George Mason University. She lives in McLean, Virginia, with her husband and daughter.

JULIE CHAVEZ RODRIGUEZDeputy Director of Public EngagementThe White House

Julie Chavez Rodriguez serves as Deputy Director of Public Engagement. Over the past two years, Julie has served as the White House’s primary liaison to the Latino community and on immigration related issues. In this role, she has coordinated the White House’s efforts surrounding commonsense immigration reform and outreach to the Latino community on the Affordable Care Act, jobs and the economy, and education reform, among other Presidential priorities. Prior to joining the White House, Julie served as the Director of Youth Employment at the Department of the Interior and the Deputy Press Secretary to former Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Before joining the Administration, Julie served as the Director of Programs at the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation.

URSULA WRIGHTAssociate Assistant Deputy SecretaryOffice of Innovation and ImprovementU.S. Department of Education

Ursula Wright is the Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary for Special Projects. In this capacity, she serves as the Department’s lead on the Promise Zones initiative, an Administration priority that aims to improve conditions for designated high-poverty communities across the country. She also leads the Department’s work on innovation clusters and contributes to the Race to the Top – District program.

Prior to joining the U.S. Department of Education, Ms. Wright worked at the National Alliance for Pubic Charter Schools (“NAPCS”), the leading national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the quality growth of the charter school movement, in multiple C-level positions. She helped grow NAPCS from a start-up to an established organization serving approximately 2.5 million charter school students nationwide and an additional one million students on charter school waiting lists. Before transitioning to the not-for-profit sector, Ms. Wright developed functional competencies in strategy, operations, finance, and marketing at some of the nation’s most recognized corporations.

Ms. Wright has also contributed to public education through her board service, including tenures with The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence , a non-partisan non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preparing, certifying, and supporting people who want to improve their communities by becoming a teacher, and Achievement Preparatory Academy, a high performing charter school in Washington, DC’s most economically disadvantaged ward.

Ms. Wright earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Spelman College and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She has also completed executive education coursework at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.


SCHOLAR BIOS

MONET DEADWYLER

College Attending: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Major: Computer ScienceThesis Topic: Arab/Israeli Conflict

Monet Deadwyler is an active participant and leader in the Chavez Schools Capitol Hill community. In her four years at Chavez, Monet has been an active member on the drama team, New Orleans and Back, an art driven service club that gives back to post-Katrina New Orleans, Cheerleading, and Writing Club. She has also remained a fixture on the Dean’s List. This year, Monet was recognized as a National Honor Society member.

DAMANI JASPER

College Attending: Bates College Major: BiologyThesis Topic: Student Loan Debt

Damani Jasper has attended the Chavez Schools since the 6th grade. In his time at Chavez, Damani has served as a student ambassador for the school and its founder, Irasema Salcido. Heavily involved in the community, Damani has advocated for the rights of the homeless and impoverished youth. In addition, Damani speaks out on hot button issues including the student debt crisis He is currently a member of Parkside’s poetry team and Higher Education Readiness Opportunity (HERO) program. This year, Damani is a Phi Beta Sigma scholarship recipient.

SHAYLA JOHNSON

College Attending: Columbia College Chicago Major: Theater Double Minor: Creative Writing & Dance Thesis Topic: Militarization of the Police

Shayla Johnson started her career at Chavez Schools Parkside Campus in the sixth grade and has been a trailblazer ever since. Shayla has participated in various extracurricular activities including the soccer team, the step team, the debate club and is one of the founding members of the poetry team, Parkside Poetry. During her junior year she participated in a three-week fellowship at Split This Rock where she advocated against social injustices through poetry. Shayla prides herself on being hard working, and has made the honor roll every quarter since beginning at Chavez.

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2014-2015 THESIS TOPICS

CAPITOL HILL

• Achievement Gap• Alternative Teaching Programs• Animal Cruelty• Child Poverty• Childhood Obesity• Cyber Bullying• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals• Domestic Violence• Educational Inequality• Gun Violence• HIV/AIDS Epidemic• Homicide/High Murder Rate• Human Trafficking• Hunger• Illegal Immigration• Israel and Palestine• Juvenile Crime• The Legalization of Marijuana • Minors in the System• Palestine and the West Bank• Police Brutality• Poverty• Russia/Ukraine Situation and Refugees• Surveillance• Syrian Crisis and ISIS• The New Jim Crow and Mass

Incarceration• Unwanted Teen Pregnancy

PARKSIDE

• 1033 Program Police Militarization• Abstinence Education Programs• Animal Testing• Bart PD• Berkeley Soda Tax• Body Cameas• Charter Schools• Clean Air Act• Cyber Bullying• D.C. Affordable Housing Policy• DACA• Decriminalizing +Marijuana• Decriminalizing of Marijuana• Early Childhood Education• FCC Regulations; Broadcast Indecency• Federal Budget Appropriations for

Entitlements• Foster Care System• Gang Injunction Laws• Guns at Work Laws• Healthy Hunger Kids Act• Human Trafficking• L.A.Gang Injunction Laws• Legalizing Prostitution• Less Lethal Technology• LWOP• LGBT Civil Rights Act• Mandatory Arrest• Mandatory Drug Testing• Mandatory Sentencing• New York Penal Code• Patriot Act• Racial Profiling of Muslims• Resegregation/Property Taxes• Stop and Frisk• Summer Brain Loss• TANF Drug Testing• Texas Tobacco Regulations• Vacating Sentences & T-Visas• Voter ID• Water Privatization• Zero Tolerance Policies


ABOUT CHAVEZ SCHOOLSThe Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools started with a dream to provide DC youth with a quality high school education with a public policy focus. In 1998, Irasema Salcido founded the school in the basement of a store with 60 students. From the beginning, the goal was to prepare students to pursue a college education and take an active role in addressing important social issues in their communities.

Now, 15 years later, the Chavez Schools offer a rigorous dual focused curriculum on college preparation and public policy. The schools serve 1,400 students in grades 6-12 at four campuses in three different neighborhoods (Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, and Kenilworth-Parkside). Students from every walk of life come together and are empowered to be civic leaders by gaining the knowledge, skills and beliefs necessary to protect our democracy and serve as change agents in the 21st century.

MISSIONThe Chavez Schools’ mission is to prepare scholars to succeed in competitive colleges and to empower them to use public policy to create a more just, free, and equal world.

VISION Our vision is that all Chavez alumni have college degrees and lead lives of personal achievement and productive engagement in local and national public policy challenges. Further, Chavez scholars are sought out by elected officials, civic leaders, community organizers and the media when they are seeking student voices on public policy issues.

APPROACH The Chavez Schools model provides a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, a unique public policy program, and a safe supportive learning environment with comprehensive support services. An outstanding faculty and staff understand how education affects our scholar’s lives, and share accountability for scholar results. All Chavez Scholars are held to high academic standards that will prepare them for college. Faculty and staff work closely to offer interventions to meet the individual needs of each of our students.

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“Education Is The Most Powerful Weapon Which You Can Use To Change The World.”

— Nelson Mandela

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ABOUT CHAVEZ SCHOOLS’ UNIQUE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM

In order to empower Chavez Scholars to create a more just, free, and equal world, our Public Policy Program is designed to develop the intellectual foundation that our scholars need to influence public policies affecting their communities including: critical and disciplinary thinking, deep knowledge of our country’s founding principles, and strong advocacy skills. Through a Public Policy Framework of developing understanding, taking action, and reflecting on attitudes and growth, our students build the character traits most conducive to our democracy and believe themselves to have the capacity to affect change.

Public policy instruction is experiential, project-based, and centered on controversial issues. It requires our scholars to interact with their community and assume responsibility for solving current, complex issues. Scholars use their background and public policy as a lens to investigate these issues and test their solutions. The Chavez Schools leverage the incredible wealth of public policy resources located in the nation’s capital to engage students as empowered citizens, able to affect the world around them.

Scholars use the intellectual skills and understanding they mastered through our Public Policy Framework to take action in the real world through authentic intellectual performance tasks, advocacy projects, and public policy courses.

ADVOCACY PROJECTSAdvocacy Projects take place at every grade level of a student’s Chavez experience and are designed to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to the real world. Scholars build upon their understanding by taking action in order to develop their belief in their abilities to make positive change in their community. The advocacy projects are: Youth Summit on Drug Trafficking Summit, Pollution Project, City Council Day, Capitol Hill Day, We the People, and the Economic Justice Roundtable.

COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECT (CAP) /CAPSTONE At the end of the 9th and 10th grade years, scholars analyze a local or international public problem, propose a solution and advocate for change. This full time, 2-week course, employs experiential learning, service learning and develops activism skills in students.

FELLOWSHIP At the end of the 11th grade year, scholars participate in a three-week full-time academic internship, which provides an insider’s view of the public policy process through which students gain important professional skills: resume writing, interviewing, networking, and more.

SENIOR THESIS By the 12th grade year, scholars have been fully immersed in the Chavez Public Policy curriculum and are ready to take on an even deeper and more independent project to increase their knowledge and understanding of policy issues. The Senior Thesis is the culminating project at Chavez Schools; scholars research a relevant public policy issue and write a 15-20 research paper, which they present to public policy professionals and community members. The top three seniors are selected to showcase their work at the annual Chavez Schools’ Public Policy Symposium.

As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

Copyright © 2015 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited

At Deloitte, we share a tradition of supporting the communities in which we live and work. We are proud to support the Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools.

www.deloitte.com


• Andre Bhaita• AES Electrical• Alan & Amy Meltzer • Family Foundation Inc• Alan Meltzer• All Star Flooring Inc• America Institues for Research• American Charities• Anthony Patrick LLC* Ashlee Lawson• Buliding Hope• Busy Bee Environmental

Services• Children and Family

Legacy Fund* CMA Construction Inc.* Copier Workshop• Craig Irving• David Robinson• DCPNI• Debra Drumheller* Deloitte Consulting LLC.• Eastern Market sales, NOLA* Faida Fuller• George Little• Harris Teeter, LLC* Herritage Financial

Consulting, LLC• Irasema Salcido• Jeffrey Cooper & Julia Baer• Katherine Bihr

• Laura Olle• Louis M Mayberg• Maragret C Simms• Meltzer Carroll Life• Mentors, Inc* Metro Banker Group• Metropolitan Washington • Bankers Fund• Office Catering• Pathfinders, Inc* PNC • Raffa, P.C.• Rick Torres• Robert A. Paulker* Ruby Sherman* Shayna Hammon• Shell Science Lab Challenge• Shippy Foundation• Simon Foundation• Target-Take Charge

of Education• The Aspen Institute• Tiger Woods Learning Center• Trisource Contracting LLC• United Way of National

Capital Area• US Security Associates• Wanda Taylor• Wendy Wilkinson

* Symposium Sponsor

THANK YOU TO THE 2014-2015 CHAVEZ SCHOOLS SUPPORTERS!The Chavez Schools gratefully acknowledge the contributions and in-kind support of the following organizations and individuals that make our work possible.

is a Proud Supporter of the Chavez Schools. CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S THESIS PRESENTERS!

William F. Spotts

www.heritageconsultants.com

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”– Ralph Waldo Emerson

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METRO WASHINGTON BANKERS GROUPWe’re Proud to Support Chavez Schools.

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Main Phone: 202-547-3975

Fax: (202) 547-3449

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Georgetown University

Chavez Schools 4th Annual Public Policy Symposium Program

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