Veronica Palmer
Co-Founder and CEO, RISE Colorado
In communities across the country, we see public schools with low academic achievement and gaps in performance between students of color and their white peers. Research shows that family engagement improves attendance, graduation rates, and overall academic achievement. That’s why RISE focuses on creating strong partnerships between schools and families with the goal of improving academic outcomes for low-income students and students of color in Aurora, CO. RISE Colorado works to Educate, Engage, and Empower low-income families and families of color to RISE as change agents for educational equity in our public schools. Through knowledge building, organizing, and leadership development, families will end educational inequity. In 2018, RISE will further develop its program to include elementary and middle schools, making it a full P-12 model; pilot curriculum to engage and empower teen students; provide diversity, equity, and inclusion professional development to staff in its partner schools; and work to link its work to improved academic achievement.