Advocacy in Action
See how our members are speaking out and working towards making APS better.
2024 Advocacy Work
Read our letter to the School Board highlighting gains in pass rates for economically-disadvantaged students and urging APS to reassess intervention methods to accelerate progress for all students. Without action, achievement gaps may widen, leaving students behind. September 19, 2024.
Read our letter to the APS School Board outlining best practices and research for implementation of an Away for the Day personal device policy.
Watch as we ask APS to implement an Away for the Day personal device policy effective August 26, 2024. Removing cell phones district-wide in a consistent manner is the fastest and cheapest solution to addressing the mental health and achievement gap challenges our students face.
We’re asking APS to implement an Away for the Day policy for the 2024-2025 SY. Read our June 4, 2024 letter here.
Read our letter to Virginia Department of Education in support of the revised Accountability and Accreditation Framework. April 22, 2024
We have suggestions to improve the Virginia Department of Education’s draft revisions to the English SOLs.
Read our February 16, 2024 letter.
APS has a structural deficit. The CIP approved by the Board last week will add $93 million in debt service over the next decade, surpassing previous CIP assumptions. Though financed with bonds, this debt service impacts the operating budget, competing with other APS needs. Learn how we advocate for APS to align with the County's CIP principles for better solutions.
Watch as we ask the School Board to change its device policy.
Or read the remarks here. March 14, 2024
Watch as we advocate for a budget that prioritizes smaller class sizes, teacher pay and student-facing positions.
We’re asking the APS Internal Auditor to examine the additional paid leave for 20% of APS employees for budgetary and operational impacts.
Read our January 23, 2024 letter.
2023 Advocacy Work
We have serious concerns about the proposal to eliminate SOLs and replace with PBAs in APS. Read our letter to the School Board and Superintendent from Nov 8, 2023.
We have concerns about APS’ request for VDOE funding. Read our latest letter to APS & the School Board October 24, 2023.
Read our latest letter to APS & the School Board about our concerns regarding the APS Math Report. October 11, 2023.
Read our letter to APS & the School Board calling again for aggressive action to address learning loss recovery. September 19, 2023.
Read our letter to APS & the School Board calling for urgent action to help the troubling number of APS students needing intense reading support. July 12, 2023. Update: Read Dr. Durán’s response to our letter. July 25, 2023
Watch as we advocate on Standards Based Grading in elementary schools, at the June 8, 2023 School Board Meeting.
Watch as we advocate for more student facing positions at the April 27, 2023 School Board Meeting.
Read our March 30, 2023 letter to the County Board about proposed county budget and resources for APS for FY2024
Read our letter to the County Board addressing the opioid, mental health and literacy crises in Arlington. March 17, 2023
Watch as we advocate for increased budgetary focus on learning loss recovery at the January 19, 2023 School Board Meeting.
Watch as we advocate for increased accountability and transparency on school safety, educational excellence, and budget auditing at the February 2, 2023 School Board Meeting.
Read our letter to the Superintendent and School board advocating for a school budget that has more impact on the quality of student education. February 22, 2023
We are grateful to our elected representatives for passing the VA budget, which will fund learning loss and teacher pay. Read our letter to our elected officials from Nov 2, 2023.
Hear our concerns about the proposed calendar policy at the April 27, 2023 School Board Meeting
Read our letter to the County Board urging increased attention and resources to better serve Arlington’s youth and students. March 15, 2023
2022 Advocacy Work
December 1, 2022 Remarks to School Board on Calendar
Watch as Arlington Parents for Education urges APS to set parameters when seeking to adjust the school calendar.
October 13, 2022 Remarks to School Board on Learning Loss
Watch as Arlington Parents for Education requests APS develop a comprehensive plan to address learning loss.
September 22, 2022 Remarks to School Board as New School Year Begins
Watch as Arlington Parents for Education highlights the issues that are important to parents this school year.
June 9, 2022 Remarks to School Board on Parental Involvement at APS
Watch as Arlington Parents for Education advocates for parents to be treated as essential partners at APS (or read the remarks here.)
May 18, 2022 Letter to APS on Feedback of Use of Federal Funds
Read our letter to APS Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán urging that the majority of federal funds received be used to address learning loss.
April 18, 2022 Letter to County Board
Read our letter to the County Board on Budget Priorities
April 7, 2022 Remarks to School Board on Mental Health Services
Watch as we advocate for Mental Health Services, Tutoring and Resources to Address Learning Loss.
March 10, 2022 Remarks to School Board on Budget
Watch as we address budget priorities to the Arlington School Board.
February 21, 2022 Letter to Superintendent and School Board
Read our letter to Dr. Durán and the School Board on Budget Priorities
February 17, 2022 Remarks to School Board on Isolation policies
Read the remarks one of our members made to the School Board on the topic of reducing isolation time for students recovered from Covid.
January 21, 2022 Letter to School Board
Read our letter to the Arlington School Board on the topic of Learning Loss.
January 4, 2022 Remarks to Civic Federation
Watch as we advocate on behalf of parents and students at the Civic Federation Meeting with County Board members.
2021 Advocacy Work
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Letter to School Board
Read a September 13, 2021 letter to Superintendent Durán and the School Board from APE on learning loss.
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Analysis
See learning loss data and our analysis of recovery plans. These slides were shared with Dr. Durán and the School Board.
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Speaking Out
Hear three of our members speak during the public comment section of the September 9, 2021, school board meeting.
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Speaking Out
Two of our members speak at the September 30, 2021 School Board meeting.
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Speaking Out
Hear public comments from two APE members at the October 14, 2021 School board meeting. Topics included ARP funds and student device time.
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Speaking Out
Listen to members advocate on learning loss and test to stay at the Oct 28 School Board meeting.
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Speaking Out
Listen as Arlington Parents for Education advocates for smaller class sizes at the November 16, 2021 school board meeting
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Speaking Out
Arlington Parents for Education spoke at the December 2, 2021 School Board meeting to discuss the proposed 22/23 SY Calendar and access to materials.
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Speaking Out
Arlington Parents for Education speaks out at the December 16, 2021 School board meeting. Topics: Budget Priorities and Educational Excellence
