Education and Civil Rights

Join us at University of Massachusetts Boston to hear the education scholar and author Pedro Noguera speak on education and civil rights in the 21st Century on Monday, Dec. 2. Education is frequently described as the civil rights issue of the 21st century by politicians calling for policy changes and reform. However, the most important civil rights issue involving education in the 20th century, school segregation, remains largely unresolved, and despite the controversy it once generated, it is rarely mentioned as an important social issue that should be addressed.   → Read More

With a rousing defense of public education and a scathing critique of those who seek to privatize it, Diane Ravitch drew a diverse audience of 800 to Harvard’s Memorial Church on October 24^th. Citizens for Public Schools sponsored the event as part of its Mary Ann Hardenbergh annual lecture series.

Ravitch, a historian and former U.S. assistant secretary of education, pulled no punches when explaining what corporate-driven “reform” means for public education: budget cuts, elimination of jobs, harming of children, and turning over schools to hedge fund managers.    → Read More

Your Public School Under Attack:
Organizing to Fight Back!

SCHEDULE

Richard Stutman

Richard Stutman, President, Boston Teachers Union
Paula Parnagian, CPS President
Ruth Rodriguez, CPS Past President

Panel of Activists for Public Education

Sandra McIntosh

Sharon Guzik

Rep. Carl Sciortino

Rita Solnet

(9:30 – 10:45 a.m.)

A fascinating, informed discussion of key topics, including MCAS Reform – The Struggle to Preserve Boston Schools – Organizing Parents Across America – Exposing “Astroturf” Education Groups

Moderator: Sharon Guzik (Medford School Committee)
Sandra McIntosh (Coalition for Equal Quality Education)
Rep. Carl Sciortino (Somerville)
Rita Solnet (Parents Across America)
Alain Jehlen (Education Journalist)

Morning Workshops