PASS IT FORWARD OPEN LETTER
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PASS IT FORWARD OPEN LETTER
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The proficiency rates for students in Pennsylvania public schools are staggering.
According to the 2023 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), roughly 75 percent of eighth-grade students in the Pennsylvania public school system aren't proficient in math while 47 percent aren't proficient in language arts. Furthermore, in the bottom 15 percent of the state’s public schools, the data reveals that less than 10 percent of students are proficient in math, and only 25 percent are proficient in English. In 40 schools across the state, there were no students – absolutely none – that met the grade-level proficiency criteria in math.
While opposition dissects the future of public and private schools, they are missing the most critical component of this entire equation – the children. Not once are the children mentioned. Not once are the dire proficiency levels of the children in Pennsylvania acknowledged.
At the end of the day, Roc Nation’s advocacy in Pennsylvania is centered around children and their right to seek the best options for quality education. If school-choice legislation is approved, these programs would empower parents and/or caretakers to evaluate multiple schools and make informed scholastic decisions for the well-being of their children.
Otherwise, parents are simply at the mercy of the system, where their kids’ academic futures are predetermined based on economic status and the location of their homes. The reality is the current system is fundamentally flawed and failing our youth.
Look at the facts of William Penn School District et al. v. Pennsylvania Department of Education et al, a case filed in 2014 by six Pennsylvania school districts, the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools, the NAACP-PA State Conference, and a group of public-school parents.
Nearly a decade after the original lawsuit, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled in 2023 that the state’s education system had been so underfunded that it violated students’ constitutional rights. During the course of this lengthy trial, students were denied a fair chance of receiving a basic education. It’s unacceptable, heartbreaking and appalling. Based on the conclusions of this trial we must all agree that this issue, and the future of our children, can no longer be ignored.
Fortunately, due to the Commonwealth Court’s ruling, there is a bill passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives that would potentially bring $5.1 billion to school districts across the state and help close the disparity between the wealthiest and the poorest schools. Although it’s a positive development, it begs multiple questions – how will this change take effect? What’s the plan to deploy those funds? When will the schools be properly resourced?
There is no tactical plan in place from the state and children are being forced to wait for solutions. With every year that goes by, more and more children – particularly from poor districts – are missing out on learning opportunities and failing to maximize the full scope of their academic potential. The bills being considered by Pennsylvania lawmakers have clear and targeted criteria to ensure those in need – specifically households earning 250% below the federal poverty line – are eligible to receive financial aid. Not to mention that student scholarships would be supported by a separate tax funded state account, not assigned to public education. As of today, these student scholarship programs Roc Nation is advocating for represent the only immediate solution to improve the quality of student learning even if only as a stopgap while the larger Pennsylvania education system is repaired.
Roc Nation’s passion for this issue is solely predicated on educational concerns for the children of the poorest zip codes in Pennsylvania. Anyone claiming our interest is political, is political. At the end of the day, we need to work together to provide impactful and immediate solutions for the benefit of students in need. What we cannot accept is doing nothing, which would be telling Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable students that they must remain captive to a system that is not working for them.
We simply want to create awareness of education options that propose a strategic, near-term solution to support the next generation of Pennsylvania students. Parents should be free to evaluate the best academic options possible for their kids.
We are passionate about this issue because we have a personal connection with several communities across Pennsylvania. From organizing Made in America Festivals in Philadelphia to collaborating with REFORM Alliance on transformative statewide probation and parole bills, we have spent a significant amount of time in Pennsylvania over the years and truly care for its resilient residents.
We are supporters of the public school system – many of us are products of that very same system. Different communities across the country will require different solutions and should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. For Pennsylvania, we believe caregivers should have the right to consider student education alternatives.
We can’t sit idly for another decade as the proficiency rates for students in Pennsylvania plunge lower and lower. We can’t keep failing the next generation of state leaders.
The children of Pennsylvania deserve better.
Roc Nation
#JUSTICE4KCK
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Watch the 2022 KCK Rally
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#justice4kck QUICK REFERENCE
Read moreTHE PUBLIC DESERVES ANSWERS.
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FBI INVESTIGATION DETAILS INTO KCK
TEAM ROC RECEIVES RECORDS AND DETAILS OF 8 FBI INVESTIGATIONS INTO KANSAS CITY, KANSAS INCLUDING EVIDENCE OF THE LEGACY OF CORRUPTION, CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS & RACISM.
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UNITED STATES' MOTION TO PERMIT EVIDENCE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FILES MOTION FOR AN ORDER PERMITTING ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE CITING THE MULTIPLE ABUSES AT THE HANDS OF FORMER KCKPD DETECTIVE ROGER GOLUBSKI AND THREE OTHER DEFENDANTS. ABUSES INCLUDE INJURING, OPPRESSING, THREATENING, INTIMIDATING, AND HOLDING MINORS IN INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE AND FORCING THEM TO PERFORM SEXUAL ACTS .
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ROC NATION’S TEAM ROC AND MIDWEST INNOCENCE PROJECT SUBMIT KORA
ROC NATION AND MIDWEST INNOCENCE PROJECT SUBMIT A KORA (KANSAS OPEN RECORD ACT) DEMANDING THE DISCLOSURE OF REQUESTED INFORMATION OF THE KANSAS CITY KANSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
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ROGER GOLUBSKI INDICTMENT #2 (NOVEMBER 2022)
FORMER KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE, ROGER GOLUBSKI, AND THREE OTHERS WERE INDICTED FOR CONSPIRACY TO HOLD YOUNG WOMEN IN INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE AND FORCING THEM TO PROVIDE SEXUAL SERVICES.
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CIVIL LAWSUIT AGAINST GOLUBSKI (NOVEMBER 2023)
FIVE BLACK WOMEN FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST ROGER GOLUBSKI, THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY, 3 FORMER KCKPD POLICE CHIEFS, AND 4 OTHER KCKPD OFFICERS WHO SERVED AS DETECTIVES.
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ROGER GOLUBSKI INDICTMENT #1 (SEPTEMBER 2022)
FORMER KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE ROGER GOLUBSKI WAS INDICTED FOR 6 COUNTS OF CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS COMMITTING AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULTS WHILE ACTING UNDER THE COLOR OF LAW.
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OPEN LETTER #2
TEAM ROC PUBLISHES SECOND OPEN LETTER TO DOJ URGING PATTERN-OR-PRACTICE INVESTIGATION INTO KANSAS CITY, KANSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT CORRUPTION.
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U.S. DOJ LETTER
ATTORNEY FOR TEAM ROC PENS LETTER TO U.S. ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL URGING PATTERN-OR-PRACTICE INVESTIGATION INTO KANSAS CITY, KANSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT CORRUPTION.
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OPEN LETTER #1
TEAM ROC PENS OPEN LETTER TO U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE URGING FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO KANSAS CITY, KANSAS CORRUPTION.
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WRIT OF MANDAMUS
TEAM ROC FILES A WRIT OF MANDAMUS REQUIRING WYANDOTTE COUNTY/KCKPD TO PROVIDE RECORDS OF MISCONDUCT.
Read moreHOW BAD IS IT?
“ …..I HAD TO FLEE KANSAS IN FEAR OF MY LIFE … FOR COOPERATING IN THE INVESTIGATION OF A MURDER OF A … GIRL BEING SEX TRAFFICKED BEFORE SHE WAS KILLED. PLEASE, PLEASE, HELP ME PLEASE.”
“THE CORRUPTION IS NOT ONLY IN OUR POLICE STATION BUT ALL THROUGHOUT THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT AND THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.”
“…IN KANSAS CITY KANSAS THE POLICE FAILED TO CONDUCT A INVESTIGATION AND PUT ME IN JAIL ON HEARSAY AND NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE…”
“SUPERVISORS ABUSED THEIR POSITION BY MAKING SEXUAL ADVANCES TOWARDS FEMALE DEPUTIES AND CIVILIAN STAFF. THEY USED THEIR POSITION TO INTIMIDATE OTHERS, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE OF COLOR. IT WAS ALSO DIFFICULT TO GO TO WORK WHEN YOUR SUPERVISOR WAS CLEARLY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.”
PRESS COVERAGE
FOX4
KCUR.ORG
THE KANSAS CITY STAR
THE KANSAS CITY STAR
THE WASHINGTON POST
CNN
THE ROOT
WBUR
FOX 4 KC
FOX 4 KC
KMBC
KMBC
NPR ILLINOIS
KANSAS REFLECTOR
WYANDOTTE DAILY
CITIZEN TRUTH
PUBLIC RADIO EAST
KANSAS CITY STAR
PARCHMAN PRISON
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DOJ EXPOSES VIOLATIONS IN MISSISSIPPI CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES
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SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT: BRISTER MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
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A&E DOCUMENTARY
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THE DOJ FINDS CONDITIONS AT PARCHMAN PRISON VIOLATE THE 8TH AND 14TH AMENDMENTS TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.
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TEAM ROC FILES SECOND LAWSUIT OVER MISSISSIPPI PRISON CONDITIONS
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TEAM ROC SUES PARCHMAN PRISON HEALTH PROVIDER CENTURION
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OPEN LETTER
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TEAM ROC FILES A COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF 29 INDIVIDUALS INCARCERATED AT PARCHMAN FARM
Read morePRESS COVERAGE
EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE
BILLBOARD
THE SOURCE
PRISON INSIDER
CLARION LEDGER
CBS NEWS
CBS NEWS
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
“THE LASTING LEGACY OF PARCHMAN FARM, THE PRISON MODELED AFTER A SLAVE PLANTATION”
“INSIDE MISSISSIPPI’S NOTORIOUS PARCHMAN PRISON”
“2020 MAY BE THE 'BLOODIEST YEAR IN RECENT MEMORY' FOR MISSISSIPPI'S STATE PRISONS, BUT THE STATE'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS A LONG HISTORY OF RACISM, ABUSE, AND NEGLIGENCE”
“PARCHMAN FARM BLUES: PUSHING FOR PRISON REFORMS AT MISSISSIPPI STATE PENITENTIARY”
“INSIDE THE US PRISON WHERE INMATES 'BEGGED FOR THEIR LIVES' AMID DAYS OF VIOLENCE.”
MISSISSIPPI PRISON REFORM RALLY PHOTO GALLERY
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