Grassroots Education Network- July 2022 Newsletter
The NPE Grassroots Education Network is a network of 185 grassroots organizations nationwide that have joined together to preserve, promote, improve, and strengthen our public schools. If you know of a group that would like to join this powerful network, please go here to sign on.
If you have any questions about the NPE Grassroots Education Network, please contact Marla Kilfoyle, NPE Grassroots Education Network Liaison, at marlakilfoyle@networkforpubliceducation.org
Notes from Marla
Save the Date for the 2023 Network for Public Education Conference.
Save the Date! NPE’s Tenth Anniversary Conference. October 28-29 2023 at the Capitol Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC! Details to follow on our website.
NPE Offers Training and Support on Model Legislation
Every legislative season brings new attacks on our public schools. Last year, the Network for Public Education worked with grassroots groups opposing charter and voucher expansion. Working together, we often achieved success. This year we want to expand those efforts. Not only do we want to help our friends to oppose bad privatization legislation, but we also want to promote good legislation that reins in charter schools and voucher expansion. To that end, we will create model legislation for friendly legislators to promote.
If your group would like to join us in these efforts, we need to lay the groundwork now so that we will be ready to hit the ground running when the new legislative season begins. We will provide model bills and promotional materials. We will also meet with your team to develop resources to fight privatization bills when they come up. Resources will include letter campaigns, strategy sessions, model letters to the editor, and op-eds. Of course, all of these services will be free of charge.
If you are interested, please fill out this form
Take Action!
Since 2019, the Network for Public Education has worked to stop the waste, profiteering, and fraud in the federal Charter Schools Program. Our two reports, Asleep at the Wheel I and II, caught the attention of the press and members of Congress. We secured allies in our fight as we fought the funding of segregation academies in North Carolina. We met with Congressional staff members and the Department itself. And when the draft regulations came out, we worked nonstop for weeks to write our comments, explain the proposed regulations to others, provide tailored model comments, and work with our allies to push the regulations over the finish line.
On July 1, those efforts paid off. The U.S. Ed Department finalized tough new charter regulations. Please read about them here. But our work is not done. The charter lobby is trying to get Congress to change the regulations. Please send your email today and share this Action Alert and this Action Alert with your network to make sure our Members of Congress stop funding fraud.
National Organizing
Network for Public Education Executive Director Carol Burris explains the U.S. Department of Education’s new regulations for the Charter Schools Program here. If you missed Defending the Early Years Summer Institute you can see all the recordings from all three days on their website. In The Public Interest wrote late last month that DeVos may be gone, but Republicans are doubling down on privatization. The Journey for Justice Alliance wants you to mark your calendar for Sept 24th for the road to Equity Quality of Life Festival. Please stay tuned for more information. J4J National Director Jitu Brown attended the White House commemoration of historic Gun Legislation early this month. This month The Schott Foundation celebrated and highlighted the successes of public schools and its graduates as a pathway for making our communities and schools stronger and our democracy work. Be sure to keep up with the latest on testing by reading the Fairtest newsletter. Rethinking Schools is hiring an Executive Director. Go here for more information.
The Parent Coalition for Student Privacy is a national coalition of parents and advocates who would defend the rights of parents and students to protect their data. Head to their website for great resources on how you can protect student data and privacy. Parents for Public Schools, Inc., represented by the ACLU of Mississippi, Mississippi Center for Justice, and Democracy Forward, filed a lawsuit to stop Mississippi state officials from using public money to fund private schools in violation of the Mississippi Constitution. Read more details about this lawsuit in their latest press release. Parents Across America has a fantastic website full of resources for parents across the country.
The Badass Teachers Association (BATs) created the BAT Caucus for the NEA RA several years ago. This month many BATs attended the NEA RA in Chicago. To read more about their work go here. Trinational Coalition to Defend Public Education (USA) has a public Facebook group that features information from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. about how communities are navigating the worldwide COVID crisis. The Ontario (Canada) Secondary School Teachers Federation launched a campaign to highlight how hybrid classes and modified semesters are damaging to learning. Support Our Students Alberta exposed how Alberta private schools receive 70% operational funding in public dollars but they are allowed to turn away students without recourse. They siphon resources from the public system which must accept and educate every student. Wear Red for Ed has an active open Facebook page that tracks the Red for Ed movement nationwide. Uniting to Save Our Schools (USOS) has published inspirational videos from the National Day of Teaching Truth. You can view those videos here. First Focus Campaign for Children celebrated Children’s Week late last month. Go here to view that celebration. Kinderchat continues to host its popular Twitter chat every Monday at 9 PM EST. The chats are informative and provide great resources for teaching kindergartners. Check them out on Twitter at #Kinderchat. Kinderchat also has a fantastic website full of resources. Instituto Nueva Escuela are creating events all summer to raise awareness about Montesorri by having cooking classes in various parks in their area. Fairplay’s campaign to get Gaggle out of schools was successful late last month.
Equal Opportunity Schools Equal Opportunity collaborates with school districts to increase equitable enrollment in rigorous courses. To learn more about their work go here. Uniting for Children and Youth (Canada) are concerned citizens of Ottawa-Outaouais. Their mission is to build awareness of how we can make life better for children and youth. Head over to their open Facebook page to keep up with news, and events, from Canada. To keep up with what The National Educators United are doing be sure to visit their website. Saphron Initiative, in partnership with eleven other organizations, conducted a successful email campaign to Congress to support student safety and ban assault weapons. Over 200,000 emails were sent to Congress.
State Organizing
Please use this clearinghouse of information to inform people in the various states about the NPE Grassroots Education Network organizations. Please encourage people to join them and support their work! Call family, friends, and colleagues to join the fight to save public education. This section is also a place to get great ideas on organizing and actions.
Alabama
SOS (Support our Students) shares information about the Corporate Education Reform movement and Common Core. Be sure to visit their Facebook page for updated information.
Arkansas
Grassroots Arkansas is a coalition of activist dedicated to fighting for an equitable Central Arkansas. They want to bring an end to social, economic, political injustice and inequality by transforming the power relations and structures that create and hold them in place. They place education at the democratic center of this struggle that reaches every aspect of our lives. To learn more about their work visit their website.
Arizona
Voices for Education is working hard to update the public on news regarding public education in Arizona. Be sure to visit Arizonans for Charter School Accountability website that offers resources that compare charter school and public school spending. Save Our Schools Arizona conducted a powerful Stop Voucher Expansion campaign this month. Arizona Educators United held a campaign this month to stop the school takeover bill (HB2808). Go here to see this campaign.
California
California Educators United is a rank and file-led network of educators and supporters of public education. They are part of the movement for racial equity and social justice, fully funded public education through progressive taxation, and pro-public education and anti-privatization. To follow their movements, go here. The Public Core program, Between Two Teachers, is informative. To view all their archived programs, go here. The Association of RAZA Educators is located in Los Angeles. If you live in the area and are interested in joining their monthly meetings go here. Bay Area Collective Keeping Privatizers Away from Community Schools (BACKPACS) is an organization dedicated to strengthening and protecting public education in the Bay Area. Go here to follow what they are working on. Educators for Democratic Schools-Oakland open Facebook page reports all that is happening in the Oakland Unified School District. Parents Supporting Teachers has a very active Twitter account that highlights all the work they do in LAUSD and that posts events happening for children and their families. The San Francisco Berniecrats Education Justice Committee stood in opposition to the actions and tactics of the SF Redistricting Task Force, who have continued to create maps that blatantly tear apart marginalized communities across their City. Read the statement from their Executive Board. At Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco General Meeting last month Colby Franklin—Education Administrator for the California Department of Education was one of the special guests.
Colorado
Pueblo Education Coalition’s goal is to represent educators, parents, community members, students, and all stakeholders towards positive change for Pueblo’s public education. To keep up with their movements, go here. Taxpayers for Public Education works hard to stop voucher expansion in Colorado. To keep up with their work be sure to visit their website.
Connecticut
Connecticut Public Schools Advocates Children are Connecticut families and educators advocating for safe, equitable, fully funded public schools. Go to their open Facebook page to see what they are working on. Children Are More Than Test Scores has a vibrant open Facebook page full of discussion and information about the fight for public schools. Head over to join the discussion and to connect. Re: public Ed informs Connecticut residents about the state, local, and federal education policies that impact teaching and learning. New London Parent Advocates updates their open Facebook page weekly with all that is happening in the New London Public Schools.
Delaware
Friends of Christina School District (FOCSD) is a group of parents and community members who advocate for excellent district schools. Their goal is to ensure that every child enrolled in the district receives the resources and support that he or she needs to enjoy a high-quality education. Go here to keep up with their events and actions.
Florida
The Fund Education NOW website is full of information and resources for Florida residents who want to keep up with education news. Florida BATs and Broward BATs post the latest updates on how the Florida COVID surge is impacting schools. Go here and here for updates. Pastors for Florida Children exists to provide care to local schools, and to advocate for children by supporting our free, public education system to promote social justice for children, and to advance legislation that enriches FL children, families, and communities. Go here to keep up with any events they are planning. The Florida Council of Churches is a catalyst for Christian unity and witness to God’s love for creation and all humanity. It is committed to a vision of antiracist Florida in church and society. They take part in many events across the state of Florida. Opt-Out Florida Network continues to follow and comment on issues impacting Florida education. Head over to their open Facebook page to take part in their discussions. Pinellas Parents Advocating for Public Schools organizes on a private Facebook page. If you know of anyone in the Pinellas area, have them join to connect. Protect Our Public Schools, Manasota believes that free, quality public education is a right for all children and is necessary for the optimal functioning of a democratic society. To keep up with their movements during the COVID-19 crisis, go here. Miami-Dade County Public School District Parents are a grassroots group giving a voice to parents of students in any Miami-Dade County Public School. Go here to keep up with any events they are holding in the Miami-Dade area. UnitED for Florida Children has a website full of resources and information. Go here to check it out. Hillsborough Public School Advocates is a grassroots group formed to educate, equip, and empower parents, teachers, and community members to advocate for public education in Hillsborough County. If you live in Hillsborough County ask to join their private group on Facebook to connect. Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida DPECF President Scott Hottenstein and Treasurer Raegan Miller marched in St. Pete Pride last month. Families for Safe Schools joined the network this month. To learn more about them go here. Americans United for the Separation of Church Atlantic Coast Chapter national group Americans United for Separation of Church and State are launching an investigation into new Florida educational standards that reportedly promote white Christian Nationalism. Go here for more information on that story. Support our Schools, USA will be hosting another community forum focused on education August 3rd. If you have children in the Florida public school system, you should know about the changes to the Civic standards.
Georgia
Public Education Matters Georgia is a statewide organization committed to fostering community support for quality public education in GA through outreach, information, and advocacy. To keep up with their advocacy go here. Moms and Dads Now Enduring Surrealistic Stupidity (MADNESS) shared this powerful letter about standardized testing from an Athens, GA student. Opt-Out Georgia organized the opt-out movement in Georgia via a closed Facebook group of over 8,000 members. If you live in Georgia or know someone who does, encourage them to connect with this group. The Georgia Chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) was founded in 1990 to bring together individuals from all academic levels and disciplines and from diverse educational institutions and other organizations, occupations, and communities who had an interest in multicultural education. NAME is committed to a philosophy of inclusion that embraces the basic tenets of democracy and cultural pluralism. To keep up with their actions, visit their website. The Georgia Youth Justice Coalition held a Georgia Heal Together Zoom this month.
Hawaii
Parents for Public Schools Hawaii are a coalition of parents, community members, and educators committed to ensuring all children in Hawai`i have access to a quality public education.
Illinois
Illinois Raise Your Hand will be holding their first in person meet and greet in August. Go here for more information. Illinois Families for Public Schools are the voice in Springfield for systemic policy change to defend and improve Illinois public schools. Their efforts are key to giving Illinois pro public-school families a real, regular presence and influence in Springfield.
Indiana
The Indiana Coalition for Public Education are proud of their truth-telling ICPE board member, Dr. Jennifer McCormick. She joins fellow former state superintendents, Glenda Ritz and Suellen Reed, on theICPE board as public education advocates who rise above political games and advocate for our kids. All kids deserve teachers who are respected as the professionals they are. Indiana Coalition for Public Schools – Monroe County continues to expose and follow Seven Oaks Classical School. Go here to read more about that story. The Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education member Stu Bloom blogs about the teacher shortage. The mission of the Northwest Indiana Coalition for Public Education is to advocate for a high quality and equitable public education for every child in NWI. Go here to keep up with what they are working on. Washington Township Parent Council Network is a group of parent and caregiver advocates who believe public education is a quality investment in the future. Go here to check out their events and actions. Jefferson County Public Schools Advocacy Group joined the network this month. They organize in a private group on Facebook. If you know anyone in Jefferson County who is concerned about the anti-education movement, go here to join.
Iowa
Iowans for Public Education is a grassroots movement to defend and support Iowa’s tradition of high-quality public schools.Iowans for Public Education is a grassroots movement to defend and support Iowa’s tradition of high-quality public schools. We plan to achieve this by —Defending against legislation that poses a threat to public education in Iowa. Educating Iowans and their political leaders about issues affecting public education. Go here to view their list of how they plan to defend public schools.
Kansas
Game on for Kansas Schools stated that this month at the State Board of Education meeting it was explained that categories 2, 3 and 4 on the Kansas Assessments indicate post-secondary readiness. Certain legislators, particularly on K-12 Education Budget Committee and a paid lobbyist they chose not to name were call Level 2 a failing score. That is not true.The Personnel Association of Lawrence- Communication Workers of America stood in solidarity with the Sheet Metal Workers this month.
Kentucky
Dear JCPS mission is to fight for improving public education opportunities and outcomes for ALL KIDS in Jefferson County by seeking stakeholder input before and accountability after board decisions. To learn more about them go here. Kentucky Save Our Schools is a grassroots stakeholder advocacy group dedicated to raising awareness of impending actions and legislation that could impact Kentucky public schools. Head over to their Facebook page to keep up with their movements. To keep up with Pastors for Kentucky Children be sure to visit their open Facebook page.
Louisiana
Step Up Louisiana member and Family Dollar worker Richard Joseph spoke at the Poor People’s Campaign rally in Washington DC.
Maryland
The Baltimore Algebra Project is a youth organization that works to end the school to prison pipeline. To learn more about them, go here.
Massachusetts
Citizens for Public Schools released an analysis of Commissioner Riley’s proposal to raise MCAS passing scores. The New Bedford Coalition to Save our Schools are working through the summer to support police free schooling.
Michigan
The Michigan Network for Equity in Education advocates for equitable, democratic public education in the state of Michigan by building coalitions and sharing information and research. To learn more about their work, go here. Be sure to check in with Save Michigan’s Public Schools for the latest in Michigan education news. Michigan Parents for Schools has an extensive website to help Michigan parents and educators. Be sure to check it out here. MI Ed Justice are educators, administrators, parents, students & community members who believe to save our public schools from privatization, we need to humanize our public schools. To learn more about their work go here. Trusted Voices ED advocates extensively for teacher pay on their social media platforms. Support FHPS (Forest Hills Public Schools) joined Book Riot this month in an effort to protect the integrity of the district by calling out the unwarranted disinformation campaign against it. Support FHPS has earned another national shout out and were referred to as “how to” model. Congratulations.
Minnesota
Parents for St. Paul Schools is a grassroots organization started by parents of public school students. They are in favor of an immediate moratorium on the expansion and creation of existing charter schools in St. Paul.. To keep up with their work, go here. Minnesota Collective for Educational Equity’s white paper, Pursuing Educational Equity in Minnesota Through a Statewide Multi-Tiered System of Support, is a must-read and share for anyone living or teaching in Michigan.
Mississippi
Parents for Public Schools – Moss Point supports their community with information about education, meals, vaccinations, and much more. Parents For Public Schools of Greenwood and Leflore County works on strengthening public schools by engaging, educating, and mobilizing parents in Greenwood and Leflore County. Parents For Public Schools of Philadelphia advocates for children and schools in the Philadelphia Public School District. Make sure you give them a follow on Facebook. Parents For Public Schools of Starkville is a local organization working to strengthen public schools in Starkville. They promote the great work being done in the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District.
Missouri
Keep up with the Missouri BATs by giving them a follow on Twitter. Columbia Parents for Public Schools promotes parent engagement to improve education and build public support for public schools in Columbia.
Nebraska
Stand for Schools wrote a blog post about the recent spate of controversial rulings by the Supreme Court and what they could mean for public education in Nebraska. Nebraska Loves Public Schools new video All the World’s a Stage highlights how one theater department acts as a safe haven, a place where students will be accepted exactly as they are.
Nevada
Educate Nevada NOW released a statement on the defeat of the Nevada Private School Voucher Scheme. The Judges in the case called the initiative “deceptive and misleading.” Northern Nevada Parents and Teachers United was created in 2021 as a response to the growing frustration of parents and teachers about the state of Nevada’s schools. They believe that parents and teachers both want what is best for children, and our schools will only get better when those who work in them are valued and respected. To learn more about their work visit their website.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Leaders for Just Schools are NH public school educators dedicated to the mission of creating more equitable and just learning environments. Give them a follow on Twitter to keep up with what they are doing. Barrington Educators Association is the local chapter of the New Hampshire-NEA. You can view updated work here. To contact them about issues happening in NH, go here.
New Jersey
Save our Schools NJ thanked Governor Phil Murphy for signing A3196/S2349 into law this month. For Class of 2023, this makes the high school exit exam, NJGPA, into a field test.Check out The Newark Students Union events tab on their Facebook page. The posted events provide an excellent template for student organizing. The Delran Education Association is a local organization committed to ensuring excellence in public education in New Jersey. To keep up with what they are doing, go here. If you are a resident of Elizabeth, ask to join the Elizabeth Parents, and Students Care closed Facebook group to connect. Give Montclair Cares About Schools a follow on Facebook to find out what is happening in Montclair education. Give Our Children Our Schools a follow on Twitter to keep up with any future events. South Orange-Maplewood Cares About Schools organizes in its closed Facebook group. If you live in this area or know anyone who does, please join the group here. Paterson Education Fund celebrated National Summer Learning Week this month. Parents Educating Parents host events for the Newark community. Be sure to check in with them on Facebook for all their latest events. The New Jersey Community Schools Coalition is working in partnership with national and state partners to expand community schools in New Jersey. They are also a great resource for community school research and information. To keep up with their amazing work go to their website.
New York
Class Size Matters joined NYC Parents and Teachers in filing a lawsuit this month against NYC Mayor Adams for his savage cuts to school budgets. The Alliance for Quality Education urged NYC Mayor Adams to restore cuts to the NYC school budget. New York Allies for Public Education are a network of organizations who support public education and oppose the current excessive testing mandates and collection of private student data. To keep up with all their activities be sure to visit their website. LI Opt-Out supports public schools, and shares information about public schools, high-stakes testing, APPR, data mining, common core and opting out on their open Facebook page. Go here to join if you live on Long Island and want to join a powerful movement to end high stakes testing. NYC Opt Out website is filled with valuable information for NYC families on opting out of high stakes testing, school admissions, and a section for parents to know their rights. Give Change the Stakes a follow on Facebook to keep up with what is happening in NYC education during the COVID crisis. NY BATs is the largest state chapter of the Badass Teachers Association, currently over 3,400 educators strong. Head over to their Facebook page to find out what they are working on. Give FUSE (New Rochelle Federation of United School Employees) a follow on Twitter to find out how they will navigate the upcoming school year. MORE-UFT also called on NYC Mayor Adams to restore his cuts to public education. Jackson Heights People for Public Schools has so much information on their discussion Facebook page that you need to head over to see what the community of Jackson Heights is up to. Check it out here. Parents for Public Schools- Syracuse works to support and sustain public schools and promote parents’ involvement in public schools, and their children’s education. They reaffirm and work to preserve the American tradition and ideal of free, open, non-discriminatory, publicly funded, democratically governed public schools. You can follow their work here. Croton Advocates for Public Education (CAPE) advocates for fair assessments, enrichment opportunities, and funding for their schools. The Port Washington Advocates for Public Education closed Facebook group is a place to connect and organize if you live in Port Washington, NY. North Country Alliance For Public Education works to end the reliance on high-stakes testing and stop the privatization taking over their schools. If you live in the North Country of New York, consider joining their closed Facebook group to connect. Visit the Rochester Coalition for Public Education website for all that is happening with Rochester education, meeting schedules, and information.
North Carolina
Public Schools First NC does incredible work in NC but they need your help. If you know anyone in NC please ask them to like their social media platforms and to share them with others. To read more about their campaign and celebration of a small grant they have received go here. North Carolina Families for School Testing Reform are working together to bring legislative change to the NC Public School Testing. They are advocating for fewer tests, fairer tests, and fruitful tests. Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods Organizers Circle posted their final episode this month which focused on environmental justice. Pastors for North Carolina Children was featured in Education NC, an online education website news organization. Their coverage is an acknowledgement of their reach and impact in NC education advocacy. PNCC are grateful for reporter Hannah McClellan for her excellent article about the work PNCC is undertaking– especially Mission Amplify! They will also be holding a Prayer Vigil for Education on August 31st. For more information on that go here. Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County elected a new slate of officers to their board late last month. To meet them, go here. We are excited that Every Child NC joined the network this month. To learn about them visit their website.
Ohio
Be sure to keep up with the Ohio BATs on their open Facebook page. It Takes A Village To Tackle HB70 and It Takes A Village invited their community join a webinar this month about safe schools and not arming teachers. Northwest Ohio Friends of Public Education is a citizen-driven, non-partisan movement to inform and engage Northwest Ohioans, at the community level, to support and strengthen public schools. To keep up with the issues they are working on, go here. Parents For Public Schools of Greater Cincinnati posts upcoming events on their open Facebook page. Northeast Ohio Friends of Public Education has a fantastic website full of information that is centered around public education in Ohio. Public Education Partners (PEP) provided an update on EdChoice Voucher litigation.
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee gave a shout out to State Auditor Cindy Byrd for her work in exposing the decade-long embezzlement and corruption scheme by Epic charter founders. To read more about this go here. Pastors for Oklahoma Children posted their complete resource guide to help people learn more about church and state separation, why it is important, and what does it have to do with vouchers. Oklahoma Parents and Educators for Public Education/Oklahomans for Public Education have a private Facebook group of over 31,000 people. If you live in Oklahoma or know someone who does, share this link to connect. Oklahoma Teachers – The Time Is Now organizes in a private Facebook group of over 64,000 members. The purpose of the group is to unite all educators in Oklahoma to come together and educate, collaborate, and discuss what options they have moving forward to improve Public Education. If you know any Oklahoma educators, send them to this group to connect.
Oregon
Community Alliance for Public Education (CAPE)’s goal is to raise awareness and build community around public education issues, as well as support an informed citizenry in having input into public education policies and practices. Oregon Save Our Schools isa group of parents, grandparents, teachers, students, support staff, and community members joining together to defend public education in Oregon. Go to their open Facebook page to get involved with their actions. Oregon BATs organizes in a closed Facebook group. If you are an Oregon teacher or community member, ask to join and connect. Community & Parents for Public Schools of Portland (CPPS) is recruiting parents and community members in SW Portland to participate in a program called Parent Engagement or PEP. The focus of PEP is to create advocates for a high quality public education at Markham Elementary school. CPPS would like to begin in the Fall 2022 term. Please take a look at the activities of the PEP program and let them know if you might volunteer to engage in building a new team of community leaders at Markham Elementary. If you know someone that lives in this area please share this information with them.
Pennsylvania
The Keystone State Education Coalition publishes a daily PA education policy roundup. Pennsylvania School Board Association celebrated National Pennsylvania Day, an occasion to celebrate the iconic foods, places and history of the Keystone State. On this day PSBA recognized their outstanding public school districts, educators and school leaders as a key part of the state. The Pittsburgh Task Force on the Right to Education conducts webinars about special education services and shares information for parents of special education students. Be sure to visit their Facebook page for updates. Education Voters PA received national coverage for PA’s school funding lawsuit and for their amazing idea of bringing a toilet to the Capitol steps in Harrisburg. Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools blog post, Board Laments Deficit, Fails to Mention Its Own Spending Priorities, is a must read for anyone in Philadelphia. Teacher Action Group Wilmington is a member of the Network of Teacher Activist Groups, a national coalition of grassroots teacher organizing groups. They work together to build an education movement for liberation, locally and nationally, through shared analysis, political education, mutual support and learning, and joint projects. BASD (Bethlehem Area School District) Parents continues to share important information on how unfair funding impacts public schools in PA.
Rhode Island
The Providence Student Union is hiring a full-time Civic Engagement Organizer. The Organizer will have an exciting role at PSU supporting youth as they plan and execute dynamic, successful organizing campaigns and actions. Please help spread the word and apply if you are interested in supporting our civic engagement work. Go here for more information. To keep up with what is happening in Rhode Island, give the Parents Across Rhode Island Facebook page a follow.
South Carolina
The Quality Education Project administrator Dr. Kendall Deas thanked Public Voices for Public Schools for highlighting national efforts on the part of the Quality Education Project and other advocates to challenge the privatization movement in South Carolina.
Tennessee
Give Tennesseans Reclaiming Educational Excellence (TREE) a follow on Twitter to keep up with all that is going on in Tennessee education. Be sure to visit the Pastors for Tennessee Children website. It is full of valuable information and resources. Also, Pastors for Tennessee Children Executive Director Amy Frogge had a fantastic viral tweet about the ten things wrong with TN charters this month. Tennessee Strong continues to share articles written in the Tennessee Education Report. The latest article discusses how Rutherford rejected Hillsdale charter. Tennessee BATs organizes out of a closed group on Facebook with over one thousand members. If you are a Tennessee teacher or a supporter of public education in Tennessee, go here and ask to join their Facebook group to connect.
Texas
Pastors for Texas Children Executive Director Rev. Charles Foster Johnson was quoted in this article about the bipartisan rejection of vouchers. CFISD Community Leadership Committee are parents, business owners, and community members, partnering with the CFISD and area lawmakers to enable the success of all children in the CFSID community. Members of Texas Kids Can’t Wait are advocates for equitable and adequate funding for Texas public schools and for a sane assessment system. They strongly oppose the corporate takeover of public schools. To follow their advocacy go to their open Facebook page. RootEd had their summer social this month. Go here for picture. If you know of anyone in the Houston community, please have them connect with Parents For Public Schools of Houston. They do fantastic work in Houston. Community Voices For Public Education is a local group of parents, students, teachers, and community members working to improve public education in Houston. Go here to keep up with their actions and activity. Our Schools San Antonio is a coalition committed to community-driven public education in the San Antonio Independent School District. The Coalition for Equity in Public Education works to uphold democratic community schools by evaluating education policy and communicating findings to the public. Founded in 2017, they have been determined to make an impact for the betterment of local ISDs. To keep up with their work, go here. Texas AFT asked Texans to take a pledge to respect public school teachers and students. El Paso Alliance for Just Schools will be hosting a Zoom in August with SBOE Rep. Georgina Perez. Go here for more information.
Virginia
Virginia Educators United is a grassroots collection of pro-public school people who act to support Virginia Public Schools. They organize in a closed Facebook group. If you are a Virginia educator, please ask to join and connect. Virginia BATs also organizes in a closed Facebook group. If you are a Virginia educator, parent, or community member, please ask to join and connect. Support Our Schools-Shenandoah County organizes to fight for public education in that region. You can connect here. Virginia Public Education Partners is dedicated to supporting and protecting public education. They work to end school privatization maneuvers that undermine democracy and diminish available resources for public schools. Follow their events and actions here. Richmond For All parent Jeannie Bowker unpacks the Dobbs decision and its implications for public education.
Washington State
WA BATs organizes in a closed Facebook group. Go here to join and connect. Washington’s Paramount Duty is a non-partisan, grassroots group of parents and allies working to compel the state to amply fund basic education and swiftly fulfill its paramount duty. They envision a future where every child has equitable access to an amply funded basic education.
West Virginia
West Virginia United Caucus shared this article by Public Schools Public Funds regarding voucher expansion in West Virginia.
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Public Education Network annual Summer Summit, held this year in Eau Claire, Gov. Tony Evers praised assembled public school advocates. To read more about the Summer Summit and Gov. Evers remarks go here. Schools and Communities United continues to share important information that impacts Milwaukee schools. Be sure to like them on Facebook if you live in Milwaukee, or if you know someone who does send them there. If you live in the Milwaukee community, join Parents for Public Schools Milwaukee, students and allies to create a strong, diverse, districtwide network of parent advocates for children and their schools. Working with teachers, the superintendent, city and state officials, they are focused on finding and implementing solutions that will help children receive the high-quality public education they deserve.
NPE Grassroots Education Network – Resources and Graphics
Here is a link to our resources page. It will help you navigate resources covering a variety of topics. This is a live document and will be updated, so check back for new resources.
Here is a link to our graphics page. It will provide powerful visuals for you to share on social media. This is a live document and will be updated, so check back for new graphics.