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Grassroots Education Movement 1
The Grassroots Education Movement (GEMNYC) believes that a public education best serves the interests of a democratic society. GEMNYC is a coalition of NYC groups that unites teachers, parents, students, and communities to defend and improve public education and the rights of its workers.
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Great Schools for America 2
Teacher Debby Mayer founded Great Schools for America in 2009 to advocate for quality public schools. Committed to a democratic education system free from corporate control, the organization seeks to provide every student with access to “great teachers, facilities, programs, and projects.” Operating through a small group of volunteers, Great Schools for America has also created EdWatch, a database that examines education reform organizations and exposes those that promote privatization and corporate agendas.
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Journey for Justice Alliance 3
An alliance of grassroots organizations in 21 different cities across the U.S., Journey for Justice Alliance promotes community involvement in the planning and decision-making for a just, public education system. Member organizations “are built and led primarily by parents and youth of color.”
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Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education 4
In 2011, a group of friends and current/retired teachers participated in the Save Our Schools March in Washington D.C., a march in support of placing public school stakeholders at the center of education policy. After participating in the march, they founded the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education (NEIFPE) in order to educate themselves and their communities about the issues affecting public education. NEIFPE seeks to foster community discussion about the impact of current federal and state reforms on public schools and children.
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Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools5
The Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools (PCAPS) focuses on funding equity. Consisting of teachers, parents, and students, PCAPS advocates for a moratorium on public school closures, accountability for charter schools, and increased revenue for public education.
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Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education6
Formed in 2010 to advocate for funding equity in education, Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education is a coalition of Chicago Public School parents and concerned citizens. The organization promotes public education systems and policies that place children at the center.
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Students United for Public Education 7
Students United for Public Education was founded in 2012 by students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Rutgers University. Now with several chapters in colleges/universities across the nation, SUPE seeks to protect public education from the privatization efforts of for-profit corporations and their political representatives. Believing in the necessity of a well-supported public education system, SUPE seeks to work with communities to identify their needs and organize to meet them.
In 2013, Students United for Public Education participated in Occupy DOE (Department of Education) 2.0. The following video shows several students expressing their support for public schools and their vision for education reform:12
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Taxpayers for Public Education 8
Taxpayers for Public Education (TFPE) is an organization of taxpayers and public school parents in Colorado. It was founded in 2011 to oppose a voucher program in Douglas County, and it serves to protect public schools by preventing voucher programs from channeling funds for public schools into private schools.
27Texas Kids Can’t Wait is a bi-partisan, public education advocacy group in Texas. Recognizing that under-funding, over-testing, and privatization undermine public schools, the organization educates citizens about the challenges facing Texas public schools. In response to these challenges, Texas Kids Can’t Wait promotes legislative action to improve public education, even providing rankings of state lawmakers based on their level of support for public education.