Higher Education Is the New Poverty Pimp

I’ve been wanting to get this off my chest for a while and here it is—higher education is the new poverty pimp in Black communities…

Suburban Families Haven’t Always Been Allies of School Choice, But That’s Changing

Middle class, suburban families, once likely opponents of education choice, are now rallying behind the right to choose where to send their children to school.  All it took…

Former Sec. of Ed John King Calls on School Boards to Govern With Equity

While partisan politics has once again dominated the headlines this election season, the real stories lie with the thousands of newly-elected local officials across the…

The Epidemic We’re Not Talking About: Most High School Seniors Can’t Read or Do Math

The National Assessment for Education Progress (NAEP)—nicknamed “America’s Report Card”—released their 12th grade scores at the end of October.  The horrifying results: Just 37% of 12th-graders reached or…

Students of Color Are Depending on You November 3. Don’t Throw Away Your Shot.

On the eve of America’s 244th birthday, the critically acclaimed play, “Hamilton,” debuted on Disney+, making the cultural touchstone available to millions in the midst…

With Remote Learning, the Issues Go Deeper Than Lack of Internet

Right now—literally, as I’m sitting here typing—I’m watching my friend toggle between distance learning with her son and responding to work emails. It’s the most…

The COVID-19 Attendance Crisis Is Bigger Than You Think

Much of the public discussion about pandemic education has focused on two major questions: How are families handling remote learning? What does safe reopening of…

We Don’t Give a Damn About Equity Initiatives Without Intentional Investment in Our Kids

Closed mouths don’t get fed. That’s why fellow Chicago activist, Natasha Dunn, and I recently demanded that Chicago Public Schools adopt our Black Student Achievement…

If We Don’t Do Something Radical Now We Will Fail Our Kids

This has not been the “back to school” we look forward to each year. In these early days of the new school year, it has…

Black Excellence Does Exist and It Lives in Our Kids

I’m guilty of saying Black boys and girls are failing in school—a good chunk of us are. Going forward, I’m committing to correcting that language…