The NPE Grassroots Education Network is a nationwide network of over 200 grassroots organizations 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 robust network, please go here to sign on. The Summer 2024 Newsletter covers the months of June, July, and August and provides information about each of the organizations in the network. Find your state and connect with an organization doing great work for public education.
If you have any questions about the NPE Grassroots Education Network, please get in touch with Marla Kilfoyle, NPE Grassroots Education Network Liaison, at ma***********@ne***********************.org
Notes from Marla
Registration is now open for NPE/NPE Action’s 2025 national conference, Public Schools: Where All Students Are Welcome. We can’t wait to see you in Columbus, Ohio on April 5-6! We have booked our keynote speakers and they are amazing. Use this form to register, and book your discounted hotel using this link. We are proud to announce our fabulous keynotes: NPE/NPE Action President Diane Ravitch, President/CEO of The Schott Foundation Dr. John H. Jackson, Texas State Representative Gina Hinojosa, 2022 National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell, and Rural Communities and Public School Advocate Jess Piper.
National Organizing
The Network for Public Education announces a new project this month. The project called the National Center for Charter School Accountability (NCCSA) will provide research and recommendations on increasing transparency and accountability for charter schools. Find it here on our website. Defending the Early Years hosted a Encouraging Kindness and Empathy in Young Children Book Webinar this month. The Public Interest hosted a Q and A with authors Jennifer Berkshire and Jack Schneider. Go here for the full transcript of the interview from the authors of Education Wars. The Journey for Justice Alliance called on a potential Kamala Harris administration to maintain the level of funding that came about due to the pandemic-era Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. The Schott Foundation kicked off their Public School Grad this week by celebrating 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. Rethinking Schools conducted a webinar this summer celebrating Transgender Justice in Schools. They featured authors and three of the book’s authors will offer stories and examples about what transgender justice in schools looks and feels like. The Parent Coalition for Student Privacy published their privacy concerns with NYC student use of Teenspace online counseling service. Go here to read about their concerns. Parents for Public Schools, Inc. Executive Director, Joann Mickens, attended the Communities in Schools Conference in Dallas, Texas this month. She presented an important session on PPS’s Parent Engagement Program (PEP)—Parent Leadership and the vital role parents play in shaping student success.
Parents Across America has a fantastic website full of resources for parents across the country. The Badass Teachers Association (BATs) members reject racially and socially oppressive profit-driven education reform. To learn more about their work visit their website. Trinational Coalition to Defend Public Education (USA) has a public Facebook group that features information from Canada, Mexico, and the US about how communities are navigating the attempt to privatize public education. The Ontario (Canada) Secondary School Teachers Federation is fighting hard to save their school libraries this month. Go here for more information. Support Our Students Alberta continues to expose school choice efforts in Canada. Go here to learn more about their work. Uniting to Save Our Schools (USOS) conducted a webinar this summer with Dr. Christinia Christian. The webinar titled Beyond the Box: Unpacking Curriculum Overwhelm in Education can be viewed here. First Focus Campaign for Children released a statement about the 10% increase in child poverty. The increase added nearly 1 million children to the nearly 10 million experiencing poverty last year.
Kinderchat hosts its popular Twitter chat every Monday at 9 PM EST. The chats are informative and provide excellent resources for teaching kindergarteners. Check them out on Twitter at #Kinderchat. Kinderchat also has a fantastic website full of resources. Instituto Nueva Escuela will be celebrating the International Day of Peace on September 21st at a school art exhibition made by students from Montessori public schools. Fairplay’s Executive Director Josh Golin made a statement on Instagram’s new teen features this month. Equal Opportunity Schools can help you to get a clear understanding of student interest and make informed decisions about advanced course programming. Go here to get more information. Uniting for Children and Youth (Canada) are concerned citizens of Ottawa-Outaouais. They aim to build awareness of how they can improve life for children and youth. Go here to keep up with all of their events and actions. National Educators United was started by a group of educator leaders of statewide activist groups in over ten states. After launching on December 14, 2019, they now have thousands of members and their nationwide network is growing fast. To learn more about their work, visit their website. Be sure to check out the Saffron Initiative on Link Tree for all their initiative work and media platforms. The Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico will be taking part in a March on September 20th to protest the new increase that LUMA proposes to take effect on October 1, 2024 for the Puerto Rican people. Defense of Democracy advocates for parents, teachers, students, librarians and all Americans who are fighting every day to protect their civil rights from hate groups. The Education Truth Project released a new ad this month to show support and to keep extremist agenda’s out of America’s classrooms. Power of Knowledge Foundation is an organization that is dedicated to ensuring that public education remains fully funded and safe. To keep up with their events and announcements visit their Twitter feed and their Instagram feed. HEAL Together joined the network this month. To learn more about this incredible organization visit their website.
State Organizing
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
Arkansas
Grassroots Arkansas honored Ruthie Walls the lead plaintiff in Walls v. Sanders. The case will challenge the Arkansas LEARNS Act which punishes educators for teaching Critical Race Theory.
Arizona
Voices for Education is working hard to update the public on the news regarding public education in Arizona. Be sure to visit Arizonans for Charter School Accountability website, which offers resources that compare charter school and public school spending. Save Our Schools Arizona shared that a new report from the Grand Canyon Institute reveals $360 million in unused funds are sitting in school voucher accounts. Go here for more information. Arizona Educators United #RedForEd movement is about educators coming together in solidarity for students, schools, colleagues, and communities to fight for the schools our students deserve. Be sure to give them a follow on their social media platforms here and here.
California
California Educators United is a rank-and-file-led network of educators and supporters of public education. They are part of the racial equity and social justice movement, fully funded public education through progressive taxation, and pro-public education and anti-privatization. To follow their activities, go here. The Public Core program, Between Two Teachers, is informative. To view all their archived programs, go here. The Association of RAZA Educators was established to uphold the rights and liberties of the Raza community. Education is essential to the preservation of civil and human rights. It provides the foundation for all political and economic progress and it must be a basic right of all people. Making this right a reality is the fundamental objective of A.R.E. Please visit their website to keep up with their activities. 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. With over 27,000 supporters, Parents Supporting Teachers is the largest Parent-Led Education Advocacy Group in Los Angeles. Their mission is to hold LAUSD accountable through direct action, amplifying the voices of public school families, and advocate for the future of public schools in the LAUSD. Visit their website to learn more about this amazing group. The San Francisco Berniecrats Education Justice Committee is a nonprofit volunteer run organization based in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco Education Alliance are parents, educators, students, elected officials, candidates, and leaders who believe in our public schools and community college and are fighting to ensure that our places of learning are fully funded, inclusive, and not privatized. To learn more about this organization go here. Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco are asking their community to sing on to protest the closure of neighborhood schools. If you know anyone that lives in San Francisco please send them this sign on statement. Evolve California welcomed Anna and Ximena, their new fall cohort, who are seniors from Cal. Anna and Ximena will help Evolve California reform Prop 13 so that California public schools are fully funded.
Colorado
Pueblo Education Coalition aims to represent educators, parents, community members, students, and all stakeholders to achieve positive change for Pueblo’s public education. To keep up with their movements, go here. Our Denver, Our Schools is a nonprofit organization that works hard in communities throughout Denver to strengthen and support public schools. During the summer Advocates for Public Education Policy worked in collaboration with 15 other organizations to hold the in-person summit, “Reclaiming Education as a Public Good.” The day was filled with presentations by national figures Diane Ravitch and Jack Schneider and local Colorado education experts from around the state. The goal was to develop strategies for combating the “reform” movement that promotes privatization in education. The energy and enthusiasm in the room was electrifying. To view videos from this event go here.
Connecticut
Connecticut Public Schools Advocates Children are Connecticut families and educators advocating for safe, equitable, fully funded public schools. To keep up with their posts, actions, and activities go here. Children Are More Than Test Scores is a group that believes No Child Left Behind, Race To The Top, ESSA, and the Common Core are misguided educational reform policies that relies too heavily on standardized test scores and is too focused on punitive measures against children, teachers, and local schools. New London Parent Advocates updates their open Facebook page with all that is happening in the New London Public Schools.
Delaware
Friends of Christina School District are advocating for excellent district schools by ensuring that every child receives needed resources. To keep up with their events and events in their community go here.
Florida
Fund education NOW’s Facebook page is full of information and resources for Florida residents who want to keep up with educational news. Florida BATs and Broward BATs post the latest updates on what is happening in education. Go here and here for updates. Pastors for Florida Children is a non-partisan statewide group of clergy and laity advocating for fully funded public schools. As people of faith, we have come together in recognition of the God-given potential of each child and the promise of the Florida Constitution for high-quality public schools. Be sure to check out their website for more information. The Florida Council of Churches Executive Director Rev. Dr. Russell Meyers was featured on Florida This Week to discuss the intersection of politics and religion. Opt-Out Florida Network represents a community of opt out groups and administrators from across the state of Florida. To keep up with all of their work and actions please visit their open Facebook page. Pinellas Parents Advocating for Public Schools are working hard to educate the public on the FL book bans. If you live in the area join their closed Facebook page to join the discussion. 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, go here. Miami-Dade County Public School District Parents is 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 hold 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 non-partisan, grassroots group formed to educate, equip, and empower parents, teachers, and community members to advocate for fully funding traditional public schools both locally and throughout the state of Florida. Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida celebrated that DeSantis backed school board candidates lost across several counties in Florida this year. Help Out Public Education (HOPE) vision is that public schools should be pillars in our communities that help families thrive and where children learn the knowledge and skills necessary to become engaged members of our society and economy. Americans United for the Separation of Church and State Atlantic Coast Chapter (AUACC) is a chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. AU was founded in 1947 by a broad coalition of religious, educational and civic leaders, Americans United maintains vigorous programs in litigation, public education, grassroots activism and legislative advocacy. Since its founding, Americans United’s guiding principle has been that all Americans have the Constitutional right to practice the religion of their choice (or refrain from taking part in religion) as individual conscience dictates. Americans United works with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Humanists and those who profess other religious beliefs or hold no religious beliefs at all. To learn more about the Atlantic Coast Chapter go here. Support our Schools strongly believes in the power of true public education. They believe that all children, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or religion are entitled to a modern education in a safe and inclusive environment. They support teachers, administrators, and school boards as they work together to provide the highest quality education to all children. The National Organization for Women Jacksonville is an intersectional grassroots activist organization–working to promote feminist ideals, lead societal change, eliminate discrimination and achieve equal rights for all women and girls. To keep up with all of their activities go here. The Florida Freedom to Read Project continues to provide data that censorious laws are not about parental rights. Go here to learn more. Families for Strong Public Schools participated in The Arts and Politics: Civic Engagement Through the Arts – A Nonpartisan Conversation at HCC Ybor this month. The Purple Group of Lee County are residents who believe high-quality public schools should welcome all students and their families as the bedrock of our multicultural, multi-ethnic democracy. They organize in a closed Facebook group here. Public School Defenders: Duval County is an organization of Duval County, FL parents, students, teachers, and community members for the principles of public education and against extremism. Citizens for Truth and Justice in Education works out of Ormond Beach, FL. The organization aspires to restore intellectual freedom inside public school libraries and classrooms by monitoring book challenges, removals and bans in Florida’s districts. They organize in a closed Facebook page. If you are from that area, or know someone who is, please tell them to join and connect.
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 events and activities, go here. Moms and Dads Now Enduring Surrealistic Stupidity (MADNESS) wants to build awareness and support for actual school improvement strategies like community schools and more broadly for the very real and meaningful benefits of an equitable and viable public education system that strives for good schools for all children. Visit their open Facebook page for updates. 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) invited their members to the Sources Conference which had a book talk with Dr. Vincent Willis. Dr. Willis’ new book showcases how Black youth have applied the ideals of democracy to their lived experiences as public school students. The Georgia Youth Justice Coalition for Action joined a march this month alongside A March for Our Lives and Change for Chee that demanded a future where we all have the freedom to feel safe from gun violence.
Hawaii
Want to learn about all the amazing things public schools do for children in Hawaii? Visit Parents for Public Schools Hawaii Facebook page.
Idaho
The Boundary County Human Rights Task Force exists to protect the quality of life and affirm human rights in Boundary County, Idaho. To follow their events and activities go here.
Illinois
Illinois Raise Your Hand hosted a chat this month discussing what Chicagoans want to know about the first-ever school board. Illinois Families for Public Schools continue their important work to stop testing vendors from selling student data.
Indiana
The Indiana Coalition for Public Education (ICPE) is to advocate for high quality, equitable, well-funded public schools for all children that are subject to democratic oversight by their communities. Indiana Coalition for Public Schools – Monroe County tabled at the rural summit in Bloomington this month. The Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education cosponsored an event with Jennifer McCormick, pro-public education candidate for Governor of Indiana on September 25, 2024. Northwest Indiana Coalition for Public Education advocates for Indiana’s children and their right to a high-quality public education. To keep up with their actions, events, and news go here. Washington Township Parent Council Network hosted a legislative forum this month with the Parent Education network. Jefferson County Public Schools Advocacy Group organizes in a private group on Facebook. If you know anyone in Jefferson County 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. If you live in Iowa be sure to check out their open Facebook page for events, action, and news.
Kansas
Game on for Kansas Schools are warning the Kansas community that legislative leaders and their dark money funders are trying to bring vouchers to Kansas in 2025. The forces behind this movement don’t want to improve education-they want to privatize it, and discrimination isn’t a bug, it’s a feature. The Personnel Association of Lawrence- Communication Workers of America is a union of public and private sector workers fighting to transform our world for the working class. They are a union made up of custodians, food service workers, paraeducators, school secretaries. For more information please visit their website.
Kentucky
Be sure to visit Dear JCPS’ website for updates on what is happening in Jefferson County. Schools Our Schools Kentucky is Kentucky’s longest-running statewide advocacy group stopping well-funded privatizers and outside special interests from destroying our public schools. To keep up with their events and actions go here. To connect with Pastors for Kentucky Children encourage their members to vote NO on Amendment 2. For more information go here. Council for Better Education held a virtual event this month to stop Amendment 2.
Louisiana
Step Up Louisiana held their Fall for Liberation Campaign this month. The event which draws inspiration from the Civil Rights Movement’s Freedom Summer, was held on September 21st.
Maryland
Strong Schools Maryland Policy Advocate Kenzie Funk will be holding a skill-building session October 8th called Power Up Your Public Comment. Go here for more information. 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 hosted a “Understanding the political landscape and the multilingual parent and student experience,” this month. The webinar was the first of three webinars exploring problems and solutions for multilingual education in Massachusetts. The New Bedford Coalition to Save our Schools tabled at the Reggae On West Beach this summer. They used this time to talk MCAS and all things public education.
Michigan
The Michigan Network for Equity in Education advocates for equitable, democratic public education in Michigan by building coalitions and sharing information and research. To learn more about their work, go here. Save Michigan’s Public School’s goal is to connect parents, students, educators, and communities across Michigan and raise awareness of threats to public education. To communicate with their organization, check out their Facebook page. Be sure to check out Michigan Parents for Schools website for resources on how to fight for public education in Michigan. MI Ed Justice is on Instagram. Check out their Instagram page here. Trusted Voices ED is a non-partisan advocacy group of educators focused on building collaborative partnerships among teachers, administrators, and policy-makers to ensure every Michigan learner receives the highest quality of education. To learn more about them and to connect with their organization, visit their website. Support FHPS (Forest Hills Public Schools) shared this summer that MLive shared about a dramatic increase in calls to the Ok2Say line in 2023. Mental health resources remain an important priority, as do conversations at home about following Forest Hills Public Schools’ guiding principles and PRIDE mantra. To learn more about Forest Hills Public Schools PRIDE mantra go here. Support FHPS Community Action took part in an event to welcome their new superintendent this summer.
Minnesota
Parents for St. Paul Schools is a grassroots organization started by parents of public school students. They favor an immediate moratorium on expanding existing charter schools in St. Paul and creating any new charter schools in St. Paul. To learn more about their organization, go here. Minnesota Collective for Educational Equity is a grassroots group of passionate educators and researchers who have organized to promote educational policy and practice that will address the alarming opportunity gaps in Minnesota.
Mississippi
Parents for Public Schools – Moss Point promotes and strengthens public schools by engaging, educating and mobilizing parents to build strong schools and healthier, vital communities to educate their children. Be sure to visit their website for more information. Parents For Public Schools of Greenwood and Leflore County strengthen public schools by engaging, educating, and mobilizing parents in their community. To keep up with their events, go here. Give Parents For Public Schools of Philadelphia a follow on Twitter if you live in their area. They post updates for education and community events.
Missouri
Keep up with the Missouri BATs by giving them a follow on Twitter.
Montana
This month, Montanans Organized for Education has continued to work with community members to support library collection policies that maintain intellectual freedom for students. We have also organized a “School Funding Advocacy” group that will be focusing on protecting public tax dollars from corporate charter interests and supporting changes to the state school funding formula for the next legislative session.
Nebraska
Stand For Schools had the pleasure of sharing information about education policy in the state with Parent Ambassadors this month. They enjoyed presenting and hearing from so many parents who are interested in making their voices heard. They thanked Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative and congratulated the Parent Ambassador Class of 2024. Nebraska Loves Public Schools is known for its influential short films that are focused on the power of public education. You can access all of their films at this link.
Nevada
Educate Nevada NOW is a multi-year campaign to secure school finance reform and improve education outcomes in Nevada. To learn more about their organization go here.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Leaders for Just Schools are NH public school educators dedicated to creating more equitable and just learning environments. Please 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 the updated work here. To contact them about issues happening in NH, go here.
New Jersey
Save our Schools New Jersey is a grassroots, all-volunteer organization of parents and other public education supporters who believe that every child in New Jersey should have access to a high-quality public education. Be sure to visit The Newark Students Union events tab on their Facebook page. The posted events provide an excellent template for student organizing. Delran Education Association sponsored a block party and dunk tank this month. Go here to see photos from the day. To keep up with their actions and events, 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. Our Children Our Schools posted their policy priorities for this year on their X account. Go here to see all of their priorities for 2025. South Orange-Maplewood Cares About Schools organize in its closed Facebook group. If you live in this area or know anyone who does, please join the group here. Paterson Education Fund is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to stimulate community action for change so that the Paterson Public Schools ensure that all Paterson children achieve high standards. To learn more about PEF visit their website. Parents Educating Parents is a nonprofit grassroots parent organization working out of Newark, New Jersey. Go here to check in on their events and activities. The New Jersey Community Schools Coalition celebrates the work of their community partners who also work hard to forward the power of community schools. Our Children Our Schools is a statewide network of education, children’s rights and civil rights advocates and organizations throughout New Jersey. The purpose of OC/OS is to advocate on behalf of public school children.
New York
Class Size Matters posted an FAQ on NY Class Size law and implementation. The FAQ has been updated for the 2024-25 school year New York Allies for Public Education wants to remind everyone that in June of 2024 the NYS Board of Regents announced the plan to make regents exams optional. Go here to read their June post and for any updates. LI Opt-Out Director Jeanette Deutermann reminds parents at the start of the school year that they have the power to advocate and push for changes in their child’s classroom, their school, and the district. NYC Opt Out is a grassroots coalition of parents and educators concerned about the impact of high-stakes testing on New York City’s schools, children, and teachers. Their primary tactic is to organize a boycott of the annual state tests in order to pressure state officials to respond to their concerns and replace high-stakes standardized tests with authentic assessments. For more information please visit their website. The Alliance for Quality Education released a statement this month calling for the resignation of NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Go here to read their statement. Change the Stakes has resources on their open Facebook page about testing and opting out for NYC and NY parents. NY BATs is the public-facing page for the NY BATs, the largest state chapter of the Badass Teachers Association. Check out their public Facebook page to keep up with their events and activities. To find out what FUSE (New Rochelle Federation of United School Employees) is working on, visit their website here. MORE-UFT hosted a Labor Notes Secrets of a Successful Organizer training this summer. 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. 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. To learn more about the Rochester Coalition for Public Education be sure to visit their website.
North Carolina
Public Schools First NC School urges NC citizens to push their lawmakers to uphold Gov. Cooper’s veto on voucher expansion. They noted that in Wilson, nearly 40% of new voucher applicants earn double the median county income. Their vouchers will take more than $1.3 MILLION from public schools in just one year. North Carolina Families for School Testing Reform are working to bring legislative change to the NC Public School Testing program. To keep up with their activities, go here. Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods hosted a Love Literacy Organizers Circle this month. Go here to see that video. To keep up with the Pastors for North Carolina Children attended a conference this month with PS1NC and the NC PTA where they had a surprise visit from NC Gov. Cooper. Go here to view their Reel on Facebook. Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County thanked Northwest Elementary School for including them in a parent engagement meeting this month. Go here to view the pictures from this event.
Ohio
Keep up with the Ohio BATs on their open Facebook page. It Takes A Village To Tackle The Attack on Public Education are parents, educators, community members and leaders who originally united to tackle HB 70 and the attack on public education. To keep up with their events go here. 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. To keep up with the Parents For Public Schools of Greater Cincinnati be sure to visit their website. Northeast Ohio Friends of Public Education has an amazing website that will keep any northeast Ohio citizen up-to-date on what is happening in education. You can visit their website here. Public Education Partners (PEP) continues to expose the exploding cost of vouchers in Ohio by publishing powerful pieces like this piece from Jan Resseger.
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee shared a disturbing article that tax credit payments to schools in Oklahoma are kept secret. Pastors for Oklahoma Children are a broad coalition of clergy from across Oklahoma that advocate for local public schools. To follow their work and events go to their website. 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) has a goal to raise awareness and build a community around public education issues and support an informed citizenry in having input into public education policies and practices. Oregon Save Our Schools is a 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) hosted a Public School Strong Orientation event this month. Go here to see more information about this event.
Pennsylvania
The Keystone State Education Coalition publishes a daily PA education policy roundup. Pennsylvania School Board Association is a statewide association of public school boards, pledged to the highest ideals of local lay leadership for the public schools of the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association, founded in 1895, has a rich history as the first school boards association established in the United States. Pennsylvania’s 4,500 school directors become members by virtue of election to their local board — the board joins as a whole. Membership in PSBA is by school district or other eligible local education agency such as intermediate unit, vocational school or community college. The Pittsburgh Task Force on the Right to Education continues to hold monthly meetings. If you live in Pittsburgh be sure to connect and join them in their advocacy for public education. Education Voters PA will be hosting a webinar on how Pennsylvania citizens can become education voters. The event will be on October 3rd. Go here for more information. The Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools Philadelphia Co-founder Lisa Haver shares how the Philadelphia School Board is continuing the legacy of the School Reform Commission. The mission of BASD (Bethlehem Area School District) is to educate parents and their community about issues that impact their public schools and to empower parents, students and neighbors to make their voices heard. DASD Parent Partners (Downington, PA) are committed to meeting the needs of all Downingtown students and developing working groups to take action around their set priorities. To learn more about their work and priorities, go here.
Rhode Island
The Providence Student Union hosted a fun and powerful Back to School Bash this month. Please visit the Parents Across Rhode Island website to keep up with what is happening in Rhode Island.
South Carolina
The Quality Education Project is celebrating the NC Supreme Court ruling against using public money for private school vouchers.
Tennessee
Give Tennesseans Reclaiming Educational Excellence (TREE) a follow on Facebook to keep up with all that is happening in Tennessee education. Be sure to visit the Pastors for Tennessee Children website. It is full of valuable information and resources. Tennessee Strong is an action organization that organized after years of TN Ready failures and the over-testing of TN children. They also organize against voucher legislation that takes millions of dollars from TN public schools. To learn more and connect, go here. Tennessee BATs, which is part of TPEC (Tennessee Public Education Coalition), a conglomerate of pro-public education groups, were very active and successful in defeating Governor Lee’s universal voucher bill.
Texas
Pastors for Texas Children Executive Director Rev. Charles Foster Johnson sat on an education panel at an education forum hosted by West Texas Town Hall Series and Texas Tech Public Media this month. CFISD Community Leadership Committee is a volunteer group of parents, business people, and retirees who believe that having a strong independent school district is important to the economic well-being of the Cypress-Fairbanks community. Members of Texas Kids Can’t Wait advocate for equitable and adequate funding for Texas public schools and a sane assessment system. They strongly oppose the corporate takeover of public schools. To follow their advocacy go to their open Facebook page. RootEd’s summer newsletter highlights all of the things they were up to this summer, including creating a new search group for their neighborhood schools. Community Voices For Public Education hosted a Lunch & Letters this month urging the Greater Houston Partnership to oppose the bad bond and save Houston public schools. To learn more go here. Our Schools San Antonio is a community-led movement for educational justice in San Antonio. To keep up with their actions and events head to their open Facebook page. The Coalition for Equity in Public Education has a fantastic website with resources for Texas parents and advocates. Texas AFT brought their Educator Bill of Rights to the Texas Tribune Festival this month. Go here to view the Reel. El Paso Alliance for Just Schools is a coalition of local community members, grassroots and labor. Head over to their open Facebook page to keep up with all their events. Public Schools First McKinney is dedicated to the advancement and support of public education in McKinney. The mission is to champion public education through advocacy, education, and building community. Please visit their website for more information on this very active group. The Coalition for Public Schools has a great website full of resources for Texas public education advocates. Go here to access their website. Access Education RRISD (Round Rock Independent School District) believes that every child has the right to a safe, high-quality, educational experience in Round Rock ISD, and are working to remove barriers that interfere with this opportunity. They believe in the power of a strong community voice, and in centering the experience of students and families in their priorities. They believe in advocating for solutions, working in collaboration with District administration, and in keeping a constructive outlook as we call for change. Grandparents for Public Schools are looking for members across the state to become liaisons in their community. Please contact them here for more information. You can also follow their activities and events on Instagram.
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 click 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. Richmond For All members are an inspiring body of over 500 organizers, families, workers, advocates, students, and residents fighting to ensure grassroots power citywide. Collectively they organize in defense of public resources, in support of a transformed democratic process, and for people-first representation in municipal elections.
Washington State
WA BATs organizes in a closed Facebook group. Go here to join and connect. Washington’s Paramount Duty has a website full of information and resources on education in Washington state.
West Virginia
West Virginia United Caucus is a caucus of rank-and-file members in AFT-WV and WVEA. They are proud union members committed to quality public education, strong wages and benefits for all of our state’s education personnel, and a sustainable funding source to fund public education that does not come on the backs of the working class of this state. To learn about their five core principles go here.
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Public Education Network unites public school champions statewide to demand and deliver the conditions every student needs to thrive in every public school. Learn more here. The Network has an ambitious, aspirational 2024-2025 Vote Public Action Plan: From the Ballot Box to the Budget campaign. For details on other virtual and in-person events, check out their event tab. To learn about the values of Schools and Communities United be sure to visit their website. Be sure to visit the Parents for Public Schools Milwaukee open Facebook page. They have tons of information for the start of school, events, and activities.
