Black Families Haven’t Been Hoodwinked, We Come From a Legacy of School Choice

The Democratic party once embraced charter schools as a tool for equity and opportunity. Now, as Andre Perry points out in his recent op-ed, “Support…

I’m Waiting for Democrats to Stop Using Progressive Talking Points and Start Listening to Parents

When eight Democratic presidential candidates appear on stage in Pittsburgh this Saturday, most—if not all—will echo teachers unions’ animus towards charter schools and school choice,…

Democrats Are Finally Talking Public Education, But You Probably Won’t Be Invited to the Table

I couldn’t believe it. Finally, education was going to take center stage at the 2020 Public Education Forum. All the major Democratic candidates (and some…

If You’re Looking for a Robust Democratic Debate About Education, This Ain’t It

“At last,” I exulted, as I peered at a Slack message from a colleague. The Democratic presidential candidates are going to finally discuss America’s public…

History Is Not a Spectator Sport and It’s My Job to Engage My Students

In March 2007 I was finishing my second month of student teaching at Charters Valley High School in suburban Pittsburgh. I had completed drafting a…

Students of Color Are Increasing and Teachers of Color Are Not. Here’s Why and What We Can Do About It.

Promoting diversity to increase the number of Black male teachers, and Hispanic male teachers, in public schools is vital to improving the educational outcomes for…

Time to Rethink How We Pay Our Teachers

Congratulations to Pittsburgh teachers, who are able to make annual salaries of more than $100,000 by the end of their career (adjusted for cost of…