Due to the pandemic, Montgomery County Public School closures have exacerbated equity issues, such as students’ access to technology, WiFi, educational support and school-provided meals. In addition to pandemic-related challenges, students have raised allegations of sexual assault and racial discrimination in MCPS. Students Toward Equitable Public Schools (STEPS), a student-led coalition based in Montgomery County aimed at promoting a culture of diverse, equitable learning, has adapted their equity advocacy projects to issues that have arisen during the pandemic.
STEPS strives to ensure that any MCPS student can access the “the benefits of a world class education,” regardless of their residence or socioeconomic status. Originally formed to advocate for the Montgomery County boundary analysis, STEPS has expanded its focus to general educational equity in recent years and has continued their efforts during the pandemic, most notably by creating a student Bill of Rights.
According to STEPS’ website, the student Bill of Rights, a collection of MCPS student demands, is a way to “tell MCPS directly that … students won’t stand for … injustices in [their] schools.”
The list of demands includes removing school resource officers (SROs) from schools, creating a culturally relevant and inclusive school curriculum, implementing boundary analysis findings, protecting and seeking justice for victims of sexual assault and ensuring rights for people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ youths. An email form is embedded in STEPS’ website for students to contact members of the Board of Education with the demands.
“One of the mentors … suggested … that we do a student Bill of Rights, just so that people… our audience, adults in the room, teachers, [and] the county… know where students stand on these issues,” the co-lead for STEPS’ outreach team Grace Edwards said. “It really showed a united front.”
In presenting a “united front” and recruiting students, STEPS has also transitioned from conducting outreach in-person to virtual recruitment. During a typical school year, the coalition creates physical flyers to display on bulletin boards in different schools and relies on word-of-mouth to spread information. This year, they are making virtual flyers and increasing their social media presence.
“Outreach is still strong … especially because everyone is on their phones now, and so like, what else can they do besides like look at the notifications coming in?” Edwards said.
Aside from creating a student Bill of Rights and conducting virtual outreach, STEPS has also participated in student town halls, such as one with councilmember Will Jawando about SROs, presented information in Instagram live streams and continued to hold weekly meetings.
Edwards expressed that it is easier to hold and organize STEPS’ weekly meetings online via Zoom. Although STEPS still has to make time arrangements, there is no need to find a physical place and ensure that everyone has safe transportation, leading to a more inclusive, accessible meeting.
“[Zoom meetings are] a great way … to invite people who aren’t even in STEPS,” Edwards said. “Zoom is definitely our best friend, and we’ve definitely adapted to this platform.”
Article by Avery Wang of Richard Montgomery High School