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The civil rights issue of our time

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Posted by Jonah Edelman on January 19, 2015

Today, as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it has never been more clear that education is the civil rights issue of our time. We’ve come a long way as a country in the last 50 years. But the truth remains: We have a long way to go.

On Wednesday, a U.S. Senate Committee will be convening to discuss the re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, commonly known as No Child Left Behind -- a piece of legislation in desperate need of an overhaul that focuses on helping our most at-risk kids.

Education Secretary Duncan's No Child Left Behind plan strikes the right balance

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Posted by Eric Shellan on January 12, 2015

In a speech today in Washington D.C., U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan laid out the president's position on the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) revision.

According to NPR, "Duncan called the 13-year-old No Child Left Behind law 'tired' and 'prescriptive.'"

The ‘No Child’ Rewrite Threatens Your Kids’ Future

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Posted by Jonah Edelman on January 6, 2015

Congress is attempting to pass the buck on federal funding for education. The results would be disastrous.

In the weeks ahead, Congress will consider rewriting the No Child Left Behind Act and, if some leaders on Capitol Hill get their wish, it will feature dramatically reduced federal oversight of education. 

These Congressional leaders point to states’ rights when they argue that the federal government should send $50 billion to 50 states and more than 10,000 school districts each year but ask for little or nothing in the way of results. 

Thank you to all of our members

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Posted by Jonah Edelman on December 17, 2014

I want to thank all of the members of Stand for Children.

Thank you for expecting the very best of every child. For standing up for what’s right and not just what’s easy. And for all of the little things you do every day to make our movement successful.

Showing up to meetings, signing petitions, talking to friends -- I know these moments may not always feel like much, but it is these moments that make up our movement.

Our work for better schools and brighter futures would be nowhere without you.

So thank you. And keep up the amazing work.

Forget the Kids Who Can’t Get In; What About Those Who Don’t Even Apply?

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Posted by Jonah Edelman on December 9, 2014

It’s called “undermatching” — when super-smart poor kids could get into elite schools but are afraid to apply. And it’s a problem we can fix.

‘Tis the season for college admissions. Across the country, high school seniors are in the throes of completing college applications before looming deadlines.

I haven't slept since last week

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Posted by Brendan Burns on December 2, 2014

I'm tired.

Between Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, I feel like I haven't slept since last week.

And yet here I am, asking you to do just one more post-Thanksgiving ritual: Giving Tuesday.

Giving Tuesday is about change. Change in our schools and in our neighborhoods. It's about the opportunity to place a great teacher in every classroom. And it's about hope - hope for every child to grow up with aspirations and dreams and the means to fulfill them.

GIFing Tuesday: 7 Reasons to GIF to Stand for Children

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Posted by Eric Shellan on December 2, 2014

1. Everybody will be like, "Whaaaa? How are you even doing that?"
 

#GIFlikeaboss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And you'll just be like, "Oh this? No big deal." #GIFlikeaboss

2. Having a bad day? There's a GIF for that.
 

Darth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What It Takes to Fix American Education

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Posted by Jonah Edelman on November 24, 2014

We’re spending way too much time focusing on who is ‘winning’ and ‘losing’ debates over education, and not enough on implementing proven solutions.

As a parent, a mentor, the son of a civil rights leader turned child advocate and a former aide to Robert F. Kennedy, and an advocate for children for nearly twenty years, I can tell you this with confidence: when it comes to helping underserved students succeed, there’s no silver bullet or quick fix.

But there are real solutions:

Why conservatives should support higher learning standards, too

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Posted by Eric Shellan on October 14, 2014

While the vast majority of Americans support higher learning standards, Common Core remains a lightning rod for political pundits, especially among conservative commentators.

But these political attacks are misleading.

New, smarter tests now a ticket out of college remedial classes

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Posted by Eric Shellan on October 8, 2014

Let’s be honest. Taking a test is not particularly fun, but it does serve a purpose.

Think of a test as an academic checkup—a way to make sure students are on track.

One of the hallmarks of a good test is whether it measures student progress towards high expectations, like the new Smarter Balanced tests.

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