Here’s How We Got Educating Black Kids Wrong Again in the 2010s

Congratulations, America! You’ve once again managed to provide the shittiest public education for Black students and families. So as we close out this decade and…

A Teacher Asked About My Child’s Hopes and Dreams and It Changed Everything

As a child in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, I did not have a good experience in school. My teachers did not understand my ADHD, and I…

Stop Arguing About ‘Equity’ and Focus on Student Outcomes

There’s a major force in the education world that has attempted to claim ownership over the term “equity.” From tweets questioning the value of literacy…

This School Hired the ‘Best Person’ for the Job and Ended Up With a 75% Black Male Teaching Staff

As he moves around his seventh grade math classroom, Aurum Preparatory Academy (“Aurum Prep”) teacher, Salif Doubare, is crackling with energy. He’s tall, thin, wearing…

These Are the Students Who Inspired Us This Decade

With the end of the year fast approaching—and with it the closing of a decade—it is the perfect opportunity to look back and reflect on…

Some Charter Schools Are Showing Us How to Teach Black Students, But We’re Ignoring Them

For educators, equity has become an industry. They are offered tons of data, research and training on how to build equity in district-run schools. But…

Here’s How Cutting-Edge Charter School Leaders of Color Engage Families for Student Success

For decades, parents and charter school administrators have cultivated best practices to build inclusive, welcoming and student-centered school communities across the country. From single-site schools…

To See the Real Picture on NAEP, You Have to Know Where to Look

It would be all too easy to see the grim headlines about the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores as the whole…

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

I bring John, David, Ana and Sally into every training, strategy session and decision-making room I occupy.  Well, actually I bring their stories, to remind…

I Got Rid of Course Requirements for My AP English Class and I Don’t Regret It

“So you’re just going to let anyone into your AP English class?” she quipped with sarcasm and snark.  “Uhm … yeah,” I responded with cool…