Stories

Charter Schools

School Choice Is Progressive

“Progressive” is a slippery word. The very term denotes improvement, progress, and thus is by nature a desirable term with which to self-apply. But "progress" is in the eye of the beholder. What...

Culture-Based Education Looks Like This Wellness Program for Native Youth

Can outside speakers influence, inspire or motivate students if they just parachute in for the day and don’t have relationships with the young people with whom they’re speaking? How much impact can a...

equity

My Black Students Have Learned to Be Wary of People Who Look Like Me, And That's Not Racist

Recently in class, my students and I were listening to Lil Nas X sing “Old Town Road,” for what felt like the 100th time. Unintentionally I began to sing along, weaving through desks and timing my...

Parents

Thank God for Parents Who Refuse to Be Gaslighted by the Failing Education System

Last week I attended a community town hall in Nashville organized by my friend Vesia Hawkins, a relentless and faithful community servant who brought together parents, young people, advocates and...

Teaching

It's Time for Chicago and Its Teachers Union to Collaborate and Win for Kids

After 11 days on the picket line, Chicago public school teachers are back at work and there’s plenty of chest-beating and navel-gazing underway. Speculation is running wild about the political...

Parents

Parent-Teacher Conferences Might Suck, But We Still Have to Show Up

David McGuire, a school leader in Indianapolis, asked the Twitterati this week what does it take to get parents to attend conferences with their children’s’ teachers? I encourage you to see his post:...