2017 was a year of immense growth for Citizen Education and our network of blogs. Throughout the year, we added parent activists, students, and educators to our ranks as we continue to develop a platform for stakeholders to have their voices heard when it comes to discussion around education reform and fighting for marginalized children.
It was also a tumultuous year (an understatement), that saw the early stages of the Trump administration and education department led by the highly-criticized Betsy DeVos. Mix in an increasingly hostile environment for the school choice and charter movements, and our bloggers had plenty to write about.
With all that in mind and as we enter into a new year, here are a selection of our most popular and important pieces from 2017:
1. Citizen Stewart‘s 26 new rules for the education reform debate.
Reclaiming the conversation: new rules for the ed reform debate
2. The hypocrisy and irresponsibility of Matt Damon and his film “Backpack Full of Cash”
There is more than hypocrisy in Matt Damon’s newest backpack full of crap
3. A response to the “segregation” narrative that charter opponents desperately want to attach to the movement.
"When did it become “segregation” to choose to invest in children who are living in poverty so they can have a fighting chance in the world?" https://t.co/5xhkO9cC7H
— DC-K12 (@dc_k12) December 14, 2017
4. This story of a mom who realized the educational system was failing her children.
5. An open letter to universities that tapped members of the Trump administration as commencement speakers.
6. An educator’s take on the importance of high-quality school leadership.
7. Analyzing Betsy DeVos’ handling of the office for civil rights.
8. A Student’s take on problems with IB programs.
9. The truth about the NAACP and their stance on charter schools.
Our resolution for 2018? To continue uplifting the voices of community activists, parents, educators and students around the country in the fight for better schools. Join us by signing up for our email list to receive education stories like these throughout the year: Subscribe here.