Education Equity

MoCoPAAN looks to improve structural access to education for students of all backgrounds.

Education can steer the arc of a student's life — determining whether the student can adapt to life's challenges, live up to their maximum potential, and lead in the community. Public education is an equalizer: public schools provide accessible education, a public good delivered to all students, not only those with the resources and connections to exert political influence over the school district and the county council.

Along those lines, MoCoPAAN focuses on the structures of education delivery. Are enriched curriculums, experienced teachers and principals, and school resources provided equitably across the school district, along with high expectations for all students?

Do students have the physical and mental safety they need in order to learn, with the understanding that students come from families and communities with significantly different socio-economic needs?

Collaborations & Initiatives

MoCoPAAN works alongside the Black and Brown Coalition and other organizations to advance equity initiatives.

MoCoPAAN is a trusted partner with Montgomery County Public Schools and the county government, serving on community advisory groups and providing consultations on issues such as anti-racism and budget equity, and providing Asian American history to teachers and students.

Explore Supported Initiatives

Broaden opportunities to quality education: regional program clusters, magnet school admissions.

Promote Asian American studies: Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) studies or ethnic studies bills, professional development training/materials on Asian Americans for teachers and staff, classroom presentations.

Advise on implementation of Anti-Racist Audit, Anti-Bullying and Anti-Hate protocol.

Call for data disaggregation by ethnicity.

Resources

Press release:

Association for Education Fairness v. Montgomery County Board of Education by AAAJ-AAJC

Press release:

Civil Rights Groups File Amicus Brief in Support of Dismissing Montgomery County (MD) Magnet School Admissions Case by NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Article: Taylor: Change MCPS high school programming to regional model: Proposal part of superintendent’s recommendation to board for shifting school boundaries by Bethesda Beat

Article: ‘It’s time’: Black and Brown Coalition declares support for proposed MCPS regional program model by Bethesda Beat

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Website: AAPI and Ethnic Studies K-12 Curriculum: Legislation and Academic Standards by C100 – documentation of 13 states which have enacted statutes requiring K-12 public schools to include Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) studies in their curricula and more states considering similar legislation.

Documentary: Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America – a 2025 documentary directed by Jon Osaki and Josh Chuck that explores the history of Asian American Studies and features youth activists fighting for inclusive ethnic studies in state curriculums.

Foundations and Futures: Asian American and Pacific Islander Multimedia Textbook - The most comprehensive collection of Asian American and Pacific Islander histories and perspectives available for free and online for high school, college, and lifelong learners.

Hidden Voices: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in United States History – A Curriculum Guide by NYC Department of Education

The Asian American Education Project – Lesson plans, professional development resources