Democrats, This Is Your Moment to Make Equity More Than a Slogan

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This is a guest post by Richard Buery, Chief of Policy and Public Affairs at the KIPP Foundation. He leads efforts to grow the KIPP network and advocate for policies that make it easier for students to afford college and overcome other barriers to success. It was originally published at Education Post. Where do Democratic candidates stand on public education? After last month’s Forum on Education, we know that the candidates are committed to increasing the …

New Jersey Working Families Alliance Doesn’t Care About Work or Families: It Cares About Advancing NJEA’s Agenda.

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This is a guest post by Michael Lilley, Founder and President of the Sunlight Policy Center of New Jersey, which seeks to educate residents on the way NJEA “uses their tax dollars against their own interests, secures benefits for the few over the many, and blocks needed reforms.” Recent news headlines have been ablaze with stories about the forced removal of Working Families Alliance State Director Sue Altman from a state Senate hearing on New Jersey’s …

We Need a New Way of Talking About Students Who Face Barriers Erected by Adults and Sustained by Broken Systems

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This is a guest post by Cami Anderson, a lifelong educator and advocate for the nation’s most vulnerable students. After 20 years as a chief executive in government and nonprofits focused on equity for the most underserved populations in our country (including Superintendent of Newark Public Schools from 2011-2015), Cami now leads ThirdWay Solutions, an organization dedicated to finding innovative, 21st century solutions to the most intractable challenges leaders face in pursuit of ambitious goals. …

Welcome Back to Charter School Advocacy, Cory Booker!

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This is a guest post by my colleague Nehemiah Frank, a fierce advocate for charter and community schools. Neo has public policy experience and is the founder and editor in chief of the Black Wall St. Times. He is also a middle school teacher at Oklahoma’s top performing charter school, Sankofa Middle School of the Performing Arts, a member of the Deborah Brown Community Schools. It was first published at Education Post. One evening last …

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

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This is a guest post by my colleague Chris Stewart, CEO of Education Post. Previously Chris was chief executive of Wayfinder Foundation, the executive director of the African American Leadership Forum (AALF), and an elected member of the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education where he was radicalized by witnessing the many systemic inequities that hold our children back. Recently Education Post held its annual Blogger Summit in Nashville to support our friend Vesia Hawkins, …

Attention NJ Taxpayers: Is NJEA Illegally Coordinating with Camden School Board Candidates?

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This is a guest post by Michael Lilley, Founder and President of the Sunlight Policy Center of New Jersey, which seeks to educate residents on the way NJEA “uses their tax dollars against their own interests, secures benefits for the few over the many, and blocks needed reforms.” This was originally published on SPCNJ’s website. There’s a hotly contested school board race going on in Camden.  News accounts have described it as a contest between two …

Mark Weber Says New Jersey Teachers Suffer From a “Wage Gap.” Mike Lilley Says Weber’s Analysis is “Deeply Flawed.”

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This is a guest post by Michael Lilley, Founder and President of the Sunlight Policy Center of New Jersey, which seeks to educate residents on the way NJEA “uses their tax dollars against their own interests, secures benefits for the few over the many, and blocks needed reforms.” This was originally published on SPCNJ’s website. New Jersey public schools are among the best in the nation and our teachers are the primary reason for that.  …

“Dear Mark”: A Veteran Teacher Gives Himself Ten Pieces of Advice As Another School Year Begins.

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This is a guest post by Mark Joseph, a sixth-grade math teacher at KIPP Rise Academy in Newark, where he has taught for ten years. For Mark’s other posts, see here, here, and here. Dear Mark, You called out sick today (Thursday, September 6, 2007). Only your third day of school — ever! — and you lied about having a family emergency in Rhode Island. I know, you’re scared; not of the kids but of the …

Charter Schools Must Be Part of the Solution for Desegregation.

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This is a guest post by Sonia Park, Executive Director of Diverse Charter Schools Coalition. She has has over 18 years of experience in school start-up, support, accountability, and development. This essay, which first appeared at Education Post, is particularly relevant to New Jersey given a current lawsuit that claims, all evidence to the contrary, that NJ’s charter sector increases school segregation. For my take on the lawsuit, see here and here. America is more …

A Pro’s Advice to New Teachers: When You’re Honest About Yourself, You Give Students Permission to Be Honest Too.

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This is a guest post by Mark Joseph, a sixth-grade math teacher at KIPP Rise Academy in Newark, where he has taught for ten years.  I like to say that kids have the best bullshit detectors in the world. They can tell when you’re faking and they can tell when it’s real. My usual prescription to teachers against the inevitable bullshit is — be authentic, be you. However, I think that the word authentic has …