No Child Left Behind Had a Lot of Problems But I Miss the Days When We Cared About How All Kids Did in School

Once upon a time, well-heeled suburban schools used to have to worry about whether all their students made the grade—not just some of them, not…

Hope and Outrage: Lawmakers Would Rather Invest in Prisons Than Schools But Our Kids Are Fighting for Their Education

Outrage: These Politicians Bullshitting Third-Graders We all know politicians are full of it. But kids keep it real. So when third-graders ask why you’re putting…

My Chicago Neighborhood Is Still Scarred 50 Years After MLK’s Assassination, But My Students Give Me Hope

Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, leading to an uprising in Chicago. The North Lawndale and East Garfield Park…

Here’s How We’re Giving Rich, White Families a Stealth School Voucher

Rich, mostly White homeowners are officially on welfare. I know. I was as surprised as you are. But millions of affluent homeowners filed their taxes…

If You’re an Educator Who Thinks We Need to Hold Parents Accountable, You Need to Do Some Soul Searching

Time and time again, I’ve heard educators say that the lack of parental engagement in their schools is what is holding them back. But, when…

I Fought Like Hell to Find the Right School for My Blind Daughter and Now I Want to Help Others Do the Same

“Twalet, mama.” This was my daughter’s way of telling me she needed to use the potty. She was 4 1/2 years old, couldn’t speak English,…

This Real-Life Black Panther Is Way More Badass Than Any Movie Character

Mary Scott-Boria, 67, has had a long and distinguished career in Chicago’s civic world: first executive director of the Chicago Sexual Assault Services Network, executive…

Educators Take Center Stage at Betsy DeVos’ Summit on School Discipline

Betsy DeVos, the secretary of education, hosted a summit yesterday on school safety and climate so that she could hear from people—including educators—who have been…

Dr. King’s Legacy of Equal Education Echoes in the Voices of Today’s Black Teachers

Fifty years ago today, one of the strongest advocates for equality in education and society at large was silenced. With the assassination of Martin Luther…

If You’re Going to Argue About Reforming School Discipline, at Least Use Facts

The false debate over discipline reform continues raging with this misleading piece in USA Today from Gail Heriot, a University of San Diego law professor…