Program Description
In 1999, the BMA collaborated with the Boston Parent Organizing Network (BPON) to create the Education Action Project. The Education Action Project (EAP) trains and empowers parents and students to advocate for education reform in the Boston Public Schools. EAP reaches out to communities of color to develop Education Action Committees (EAC) within BMA member churches in Boston.

The EAP has developed 10 EAC’s in BMA churches which engage parents and concerned others on education issues to improve the quality of education in the Boston Public School (BPS). Also, the EAP has sponsored multiple community forums, summits and events in BMA Churches, and at several Boston Public High Schools. Recently, the BMA co-sponsored a City Council Hearing on MCAS at the Dudley Street Branch Library. These forums have assisted in adding new members to the education action committees.

A major accomplishment in 2003 was the establishment of a new active BMA Parent Leadership Group (PLG). The PLG is composed of representatives from the EAP committees and community based organizations. Members of the BMA and Parent Leadership Group held meetings with former Governor Jane Swift, and other state officials to help set enforcement policy concerning the implementation of Individual Student Success Plans that the Boston Public Schools was supposed to have in place for every student failing MCAS. In addition, the EAC’s held several meetings with Mayor Menino, Superintendent Payzant, other city officials and the five Deputy Superintendents and support staff to advocate and monitor the implementation of the Individual Student Success Plans.

Goals of the Program

• Support services for students to prepare them to do well in the MCAS tests, particularly effective individual student success plans
• Programs to decrease the dropout rate in the BPS, and alternative education programs for those who dropout
• Strategies to narrow and close the achievement gap between white students and all students of color
• Ways to recruit and retain, committed and qualified persons of color, especially males, at all levels in the Boston Public Schools
• Effective supplementary education services for eligible students who attend Boston Public Schools in need of improvement

Contact
To learn more about the Education Action Project contact
The Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, Inc.
2326R Washington Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
617/445-2737 x28