Diversity
Forget About the Pipeline, School Discipline Is Already a Prison for Many Students
As I walked past the principal’s office, I could see that Jonah was sitting outside again, his small legs shaking nervously, his head hung low. His eyes met mine as I passed by to pick up my mail....
Diversity
I'm an Education Advocate and That's Why I Can't (and Won't) Sit Out the Immigration Fight
It can be tempting for education advocates to see immigration as a related, but not overlapping, issue. For folks accustomed to thinking about school funding formulae and the wonky priorities in...
Teaching
If School Rules Aren’t Building a Sense of Community, Let’s Be Brave Enough to Rewrite Them
When I was in elementary school, my parents told me that I should ask my teacher for permission to leave the room when I had to go to the bathroom. But they also told me that if my teacher did not...
Diversity
Black Communities Everywhere Should Be Stepping Up Like This for Our Kids and Schools
Outrage: “Whites Only” Seats The Connecticut Supreme Court made a ruling in Sheff v. O’Neill that was supposed to integrate schools. Instead, it capped the number of students of color who can enroll...
California
My Science Teacher Told Me I Wasn't Going to College. Good Thing I Didn't Believe Him.
I grew up in East San Jose, where I attended our local traditional public schools. In elementary school, I received many awards for my academic achievements, but once I began my middle school...
Diversity
From Just Being Woke to Doing the Work of Recruiting Diverse Teachers
The data, the research, the demographics are all staggering and compelling. But nothing is more compelling than the actual experiences of teachers of color, who are sought after and fought over in...