Who We Are
The Education Justice Coalition of Vermont (formerly the Vermont Coalition for Ethnic and Social Equity in Schools) is a statewide coalition led by a multicultural and multigenerational group including: people of color from various racial and ethnic groups, anti-poverty, disability rights advocates, and LGBTQIA advocates. Our coalition includes elders, students, parents, educators, and organizations.
Our coalition is led by a group of core members and receives partnership and wisdom from advisors and organizational coalition partners.
Vision
We envision collective liberation for all people and a state in which Indigenous, Black, People of Color, Disability, Immigrant and LGBTQIA+ peoples can thrive in a culture of belonging that is free of bias, discrimination, and oppression.
Mission
To promote justice for all students in the Vermont education system through organizing, building community power, and developing and promoting Ethnic studies, Disability studies, Native American Studies, and LGBTQIA+ curriculum and pedagogy.
History
Between November 2017 and January 2018 VCESES formed as a small, grassroots group and began its groundbreaking work of drafting the Ethnic Studies and Social Equity Working Group bill. This idea was inspired by the pioneering work by Oregon’s Ethnic Studies Coalition in passing HB 2845, which established statewide Ethnic Studies for Oregon K-12.
On January 31 of 2018, H.794 was introduced by Representatives Kiah Morris, Selene Colburn, and Kevin “Coach” Christie. The bill quickly gained momentum and popularity as a priority piece of legislation for individuals, educators, and families statewide.
The bill almost passed in the 2017-2018 legislative session and then went on to pass the house and senate unanimously in 2019. In March 29. 2019, the bill was signed into law!
Thanks to our many donors including:
Vermont Community Foundation
Haymarket People’s Fund