Here’s Why Dumping the Discipline Question on the Common App Really Matters

This is a year unlike any other. I am sure you have heard this over and over again as, over the past seven months, our…

If You Want Justice, Teach Kids How to Read

In 1990, I was a brand-new teacher in an unusual environment: a Chicago alternative high school where teens and young adults could earn their diplomas…

Gianna Was Right, Her Daddy Changed the World

Four weeks ago, a Black man was lynched. In 2020. I remind myself of that fact each day so that I do not forget what…

Join an Honest Conversation About Race in Schools and Disrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline

“Structural racism in school systems. Implicit bias among school professionals. White privilege (and, when confronted, White fragility) among school staff. Curriculum and materials devoid of…

A Student Left in Handcuffs. We Need to Do Better So It Stops Happening.

There was the day that a sixth grader was upset, was blocked by an administrator from exiting a room and pushed his way past. Within…

Trump and DeVos Should Know What It Means for Our Students of Color When They Remove Discipline Guidance

The 2014 federal school discipline guidance—which the Federal School Safety Commission today said should be scrapped—isn’t just about policy and data, it’s about Gee. This…

Students Speak Out on School Suspensions

Much has been written about the negative impacts of suspending and expelling students—it leads to worse academic outcomes, increases the odds of students dropping out…

Why Waste Time With School, Just Send Black Kids Right to Jail

Outrage: Just Send Black Kids Right to Jail Clinton Stanley Sr. couldn’t understand. “You deny a kid an education on his hair?” This was Clinton…

There Wasn’t Just One Reason That Led to Parkland

“You can’t handle the truth.” I’m beginning to think there was great wisdom in these five words uttered by Colonel Jessup, the character played by…

This New Report Is Fighting Charter School and Special Education Myths With Facts

To hear tell from charter opponents, students with disabilities and charters don’t mix. Their story about charters and special-needs students is simple: Charter schools don’t…