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    Letter from David Coleman to members, Feb. 21

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    Letter from David Coleman to members, Feb. 21

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    6K views1 page

    College Board Letter

    Uploaded by

    cgewertz
    Letter from David Coleman to members, Feb. 21

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 1

    Dear Members,

    The shootings in Florida reverberate throughout our halls, hearts, and minds. As I
    have spent the last few days reading through the language of adults, none of it felt
    adequate. But I am writing today because I have words to share that I could not find
    myself.

    I was struck first by this remarkable speech by Emma Gonzalez, a senior at


    Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. One of the things that makes Emma's
    speech so striking is that it is infused with references to her AP Government class.
    At a time of utmost passion, she insists that she has been trained in evidence.

    I do not write today to endorse Emma's every word; her speech may have benefited
    from a less partisan approach and an attempt to better understand the positions of
    gun rights proponents. But I am compelled to share the unadulterated, impassioned
    voice of a student, drawing on her education as both shield and sword in the
    aftermath of terrible events.

    I then encountered this testimony from Emma's classmate, David Hogg, who
    reflects on the importance of journalism in the American fabric. A reporter who
    interviewed him writes: "In the past year, Hogg's interest in journalism has grown
    stronger. His AP U.S. History class recently learned about the Pentagon Papers
    and the role journalists--'the fourth check on the government,' he said--play in the
    United States." David Hogg's words honor Advanced Placement teachers
    everywhere, for they reflect their power to open worlds and futures to students.

    Surrounding these students and teachers are the voices of their parents and those
    who lead schools. I've known Bob Runcie, the superintendent of Broward County
    Public Schools, for over a decade, and we texted the day of this massacre. It is the
    worst nightmare of every educator to lose children in your care.

    And it is a terrible nightmare of a parent to fear for the life of their child. That was
    the situation for a College Board staff member last week, when she was out of
    touch with her 15-year-old son for unbearable minutes as he hid in Marjory
    Stoneman Douglas High School. Her other son--17 years old--texted as he ran. I
    spoke to this mother the day after the shooting; it is difficult to convey the terror she
    felt.

    May these students' voices, changed by education and tragedy, offer us some
    comfort and stay against the darkness.

    Sincerely,

    David

    David Coleman
    President and CEO

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