What Does it Take to Create a Successful Community School?

One of the brightest spots of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is its expansion of support for the community schools model and additional wraparound supports for students. In a new brief, Pennsylvania-based Research for Action (RFA) examines existing research on comprehensive community schools. And because community schools aren't a one-size-fits-all framework, RFA examines several common elements, including expanded day learning opportunities and health supports. Read more >

New Book: When We Fight, We Win!

Our Board co-chair, Greg Jobin-Leeds, has written a new book titled When We Fight, We Win: Twenty-First-Century Social Movements and the Activists Transforming Our World. The book was produced in collaboration with AgitArte, a collective of artists and organizers, and includes a forward by fellow co-chair Rinku Sen. Public education is one of the six issues the book highlights. Look for book events near you! Read more >

Getting from ESSA to Equity

As the new year starts, states and districts will be looking forward to how the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) will affect schools and students in the coming years. Check out our round-up of analyses to review what ESSA changes and what it keeps from its predecessor. Read more >

Dignity in Schools Members to Speak on Dept. of Education Panel

This Monday, the U.S. Department of Education will hold its first hearing on ESSA Title I regulations, and four Dignity in Schools Campaign members will be testifying at the hearing!

The hearing will be live-streamed here, so tune in Monday at and spread the word!

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Good News for Discipline Reform in Massachusetts Schools

Massachusetts schools are beginning to see the effects of a new law directed toward reducing out-of-school suspensions — the number of students disciplined went down 20 percent last year. While there are still concerns that schools could be underreporting, and that students of color are still being disproportionately disciplined, this is a positive step for schools and for students. Read more >

What Role Do Schools Play in Rural America?

Rural schools face unique problems as traditional jobs die out and high school and college education become more important for students in rural communities. While some problems these districts face are shared with urban districts, like lack of funding, rural schools also struggle with minimal technology, long student commutes, and limited access to extracurriculars. Read more>