In 2012, people all across Jacksonville began to come together
to talk about an issue that affects every citizen in our city:
education.
Jacksonville was at a crossroads. Surveys showed that residents
felt education is the most important issue facing Duval County, yet
we faced ever-greater challenges to public schools. The residents
of Jacksonville had to get involved and speak up to create a common
vision for education in our city.
ONE by ONE started with an innovative art exhibit that lifted
the faces and voices of 20 current or former students in Duval
County Public Schools who faced great obstacles to getting their
education.
The exhibit sparked the interest of more than 1,600 people who
participated in 169 small-group conversations, identifing what
issues matter the most in our public schools and posting the
results of the conversations online.
Read a
full report of who participated in the ONE by ONE conversations,
and what they said.
Then, through delegates nominated from every part of the city,
the people of Duval County spoke with ONE voice about their
priorities for public education on Jan. 5, 2013.
Working together, the delegates voted on the top four priorities
that emerged from the conversation data:
- Educate the whole child.
- High quality teachers and leaders.
- Policy and political reform.
- Family and caregiver involvement.
The delegates took these themes and turned them into this
Community Agreement.
NOW is the time to speak out and ensure that YOUR voice is heard in
putting these ideas into action.
