The Takeover of Houston Schools, Changes at NPE and More
Houston parents, teachers, and community leaders are protesting the decision by Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath to take over the Houston Independent School District. Some see the takeover as grounded in racism and retribution; others as big-government intrusion.
The takeover is the latest move in a long list of actions by Governor Abbott’s administration to attack public school districts and expand privatized alternatives, including poorly regulated charter schools and a proposed voucher program that would use public money for private and religious education.
Read HERE what is behind that takeover in the Washington Post Answer Sheet.
A BIG THANK YOU TO DARCIE CIMARUSTI FOR HER YEARS OF SERVICE TO NPE
Since I began as Executive Director of NPE in 2015, I have had the pleasure of working with a wonderful artist and public education advocate, Darcie Cimarusti. I could always count on Darcie to create the perfect graphic that transmitted exactly what we wanted to say. Known as Mother Crusader in her home state of New Jersey, Darice is a superb researcher who scours the internet and connects all of the dots, “digging up the dirt” on school privatizers from coast to coast. She is relentless, brave, and kind.
It is now time for Darcie to move on to other challenges, so she is retiring from NPE. We wish her the very best and thank her for her untiring service and devotion to public education and NPE.
NPE WELCOMES JOANNA OSZEYCZIK AS NPE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
NPE is delighted to welcome Joanna Oszeyczik to our NPE team. Joanna is a communications professional with journalism, public relations, and graphic design expertise. Before coming to NPE, Joanna worked as an editor for a medical magazine, a brand specialist for a national public utility, and a freelance graphic designer. She has used her graphic design skills for local school board elections and special projects in her daughters’ school district.
Joanna is a proud public school mom who often volunteers at her local public school. Welcome, Joanna.
NPE’S TENTH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE: SPEAKERS YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS
On October 28 and 29, NPE will hold its tenth-anniversary conference in Washington, D.C., with a line-up of speakers and panels you will not want to miss. Just watch the video below, and if you are on Twitter, please retweet!
As privatization sweeps the nation with universal vouchers and expanding right-wing charter schools, the Network for Public Education continues to sound the alarm regarding how privatized choice is defunding and resegregating our public schools. Stopping privatization and preserving and improving public schools guide our mission and our work. Now more than ever, we need you to join us in Washington, D.C.
Register here today for our conference and our discounted hotel rooms. They will go fast.
ARE YOU FOLLOWING NPE ON INSTAGRAM?
If not, you should be. We are now putting out great content every day. And soon, you will be able to follow us on Tik Tok. Stay tuned!
IN THE NEWS
Today, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten addressed the nation on the threats that the culture wars pose to our students, our educators, and our schools. You can Randi’s important remarks here.