Grassroots Education Projects

Grassroots education projects are initiatives led by local communities and organizations to improve and strengthen public schools. These projects aim to preserve, promote, and enhance the quality of education in schools by involving parents, teachers, students, and community members in decision-making processes. Grassroots education projects are essential for fostering democratic values, ensuring equity and access to education, and resisting privatization efforts. In this article, we will explore various grassroots education projects from across the United States that are working towards these goals.

Grassroots Education Network

The NPE Grassroots Education Network is a nationwide network of over 195 grassroots organizations that have joined together to preserve, promote, improve, and strengthen public schools. This network is dedicated to advocating for high-quality public education that is accessible to all students, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. The network provides resources, support, and a platform for organizations to collaborate and share best practices. If you know of a group that would like to join this network, please visit the website of Project Kindy to sign on.

Grassroots Education Projects by State

Alabama

SOS (Support our Students) is an organization in Alabama that shares information about the Corporate Education Reform movement and Common Core. They are dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of these initiatives on public education. Visit their Facebook page for updated information and resources.

Arkansas

Grassroots Arkansas is a coalition of activists in Arkansas dedicated to fighting for equitable and just education. They aim to end social, economic, and political injustices in the education system by transforming power relations and structures. Education is at the center of their struggle for social change. Visit their Open Facebook page to learn more about their work.

Arizona

Voices for Education is a grassroots organization in Arizona working to update the public on news regarding public education in the state. They provide resources and information to help people understand the challenges and opportunities facing Arizona’s public schools. Arizonans for Charter School Accountability offers resources that compare charter school and public school spending. Save Our Schools Arizona advocates for fully-funded public schools and better-resourced communities. They organize training sessions and provide opportunities for local advocates to connect and collaborate.

California

California Educators United is a rank-and-file-led network of educators and supporters of public education in California. They are part of the racial equity and social justice movement, advocating for fully funded public education through progressive taxation. The Public Core program, Between Two Teachers, is informative and provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing public education. The Association of RAZA Educators upholds the rights and liberties of the Raza community in California. They believe education is essential to the preservation of civil and human rights and work towards making it a basic right for all people.

Colorado

Pueblo Education Coalition aims to represent educators, parents, community members, students, and all stakeholders in Pueblo, Colorado. They work to achieve positive change for Pueblo’s public education system by advocating for the needs of students and educators. Our Denver, Our Schools shares research about the funding and policies behind the current Denver Public Schools board race. They aim to provide information and resources to help voters make informed decisions.

Connecticut

Connecticut Public Schools Advocates Children is a group of Connecticut families and educators advocating for safe, equitable, and fully funded public schools. They aim to foster community support for quality public education in Connecticut and eliminate inequities in public schools. Children Are More Than Test Scores believes that educational reform policies should not rely solely on standardized test scores and punitive measures. They advocate for a comprehensive approach to education that focuses on the whole child.

Delaware

Friends of Christina School District is an organization in Delaware advocating for excellent district schools by ensuring that every child receives the resources they need. They work to engage the community and build support for public education.

Florida

Fund education NOW is an organization in Florida that provides information and resources for Florida residents interested in education news. Florida BATs and Broward BATs are grassroots organizations in Florida that advocate for public education and oppose racially and socially oppressive education reform. Pastors for Florida Children is a nonpartisan group of clergy and laity advocating for fully funded public schools in Florida. They believe that every child deserves a high-quality public education.

Georgia

Public Education Matters Georgia is a statewide organization in Georgia that fosters community support for quality public education. They work to inform and engage parents, educators, business and civic leaders, and communities to advocate for a unified system of public education that prepares every child for productive citizenship.

Hawaii

Parents for Public Schools Hawaii is an organization in Hawaii that aims to inform and educate parents and the community about the benefits and importance of public schools. They advocate for strong public education and support parents in navigating the education system.

Illinois

Illinois Raise Your Hand is an organization in Illinois that engages, informs, and empowers parents to protect and strengthen public education in Chicago and Illinois. They work to eliminate inequities in public schools and advocate for progressive funding solutions. Illinois Families for Public Schools advocates for all children to have access to high-quality, well-funded public schools. They work to ensure that education policies prioritize the needs of students and families.

Indiana

The Indiana Coalition for Public Education is an organization in Indiana that advocates for high-quality, equitable, and well-funded public schools for all children. They work to build coalitions and share information and research to support public education.

Iowa

Iowans for Public Education is a grassroots movement in Iowa that defends and supports Iowa’s tradition of high-quality public schools. They advocate for policies that prioritize public education and provide resources and support for parents, educators, and community members.

Kansas

Game on for Kansas Schools is a nonpartisan grassroots effort in Kansas that supports public education and advocates for equitable and adequately funded schools. They work to ensure that all Kansas students have access to a high-quality public education.

Kentucky

Save Our Schools New Jersey is a grassroots organization in Kentucky that advocates for public education and opposes excessive testing and privatization efforts. They work to raise awareness about the challenges facing public schools and mobilize communities to take action.

Louisiana

Step Up Louisiana is a grassroots organization in Louisiana that advocates for economic and education justice. They work to empower communities and fight for policies that improve the lives of Louisiana citizens.

Maryland

The Baltimore Algebra Project is a youth organization in Maryland that works to end the school-to-prison pipeline. They advocate for equitable education and provide support and resources for students.

Massachusetts

Citizens for Public Schools is an organization in Massachusetts that promotes, preserves, and protects public schools and public education. They advocate for equitable education and oppose initiatives that undermine public schools.

Michigan

The Michigan Network for Equity in Education is a network of organizations in Michigan that advocates for equitable and democratic public education. They work to build coalitions and share information and resources to support public education.

Minnesota

Parents for St. Paul Schools is a grassroots organization in Minnesota started by parents of public school students. They advocate for equity and justice in education and work to strengthen public schools.

Mississippi

Parents for Public Schools – Moss Point is an organization in Mississippi that promotes and strengthens public schools by engaging, educating, and mobilizing parents. They work to build strong schools and communities that prioritize the needs of students.

Missouri

Keep up with the Missouri BATs on their Facebook page. They are an organization in Missouri that advocates for public education and supports teachers’ rights and social justice.

Nebraska

Stand For Schools is an organization in Nebraska that supports public schools and advocates for innovative solutions to improve their quality. They believe in finding Nebraska-based solutions to education challenges.

Nevada

Educate Nevada NOW is a campaign in Nevada that seeks to improve education outcomes and secure school finance reform. They advocate for policies that support and improve public education in Nevada.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Leaders for Just Schools are public school educators in New Hampshire who are dedicated to creating more equitable and just learning environments. They work to address opportunity gaps and improve educational outcomes for all students.

New Jersey

Save our Schools New Jersey is a grassroots organization in New Jersey that advocates for high-quality public education and opposes excessive testing. They work to ensure that every child in New Jersey has access to a high-quality public education.

New York

Class Size Matters is an organization in New York that advocates for smaller class sizes in schools. They believe that smaller class sizes lead to better educational outcomes and a more personalized learning experience for students.

North Carolina

Public Schools First NC is a statewide organization in North Carolina focused on pre-K-12 public education issues. They collaborate with parents, educators, and community members to advocate for a unified public education system that prepares every child for productive citizenship.

Ohio

The Ohio BATs (Badass Teachers) is a grassroots organization in Ohio that advocates for public education and supports teachers’ rights. They work to raise awareness about the challenges facing public schools and mobilize communities to take action.

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee is an organization in Oklahoma that advocates for an equitable and accountable public education system. They work to ensure that all schools receiving taxpayer funds have the same levels of accountability and transparency.

Oregon

The Community Alliance for Public Education is an organization in Oregon that advocates for public education and supports an informed citizenry in having input into education policies and practices. They work to raise awareness about the challenges facing public schools and mobilize communities to take action.

Pennsylvania

The Keystone State Education Coalition is a grassroots organization in Pennsylvania that advocates for high-quality public education. They work to promote policies that support public schools and oppose privatization efforts.

Rhode Island

The Providence Student Union is an organization in Rhode Island that advocates for student voices and works to improve the quality of education in Providence. They organize youth leadership programs and provide resources for students.

South Carolina

The Quality Education Project is an organization in South Carolina that empowers communities to advocate for educational change. They work to improve the quality of education and promote equity and access for all students.

Tennessee

Tennesseans Reclaiming Educational Excellence (TREE) is an organization in Tennessee that advocates for equitable and adequately funded public schools. They oppose voucher programs and work to ensure that public schools have the resources they need to provide a high-quality education.

Texas

Pastors for Texas Children is an organization in Texas that advocates for public education and supports local public schools. They work to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education and oppose efforts to privatize public education.

Virginia

Virginia Educators United is a grassroots organization in Virginia that supports public education and advocates for policies that prioritize the needs of students and educators. They work to mobilize educators and community members to take action and support public schools.

Washington State

Washington BATs (Badass Teachers) is a grassroots organization in Washington State that advocates for public education and supports teachers’ rights. They work to raise awareness about the challenges facing public schools and mobilize communities to take action.

West Virginia

West Virginia United Caucus is a caucus of rank-and-file members in AFT-WV and WVEA. They are proud union members committed to quality public education, strong wages and benefits for all education personnel, and sustainable funding for public education.

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Public Education Network is a coalition of organizations in Wisconsin that advocates for public education and supports grassroots efforts to improve education outcomes. They provide resources and support for parents, educators, and community members.

Grassroots Education Projects – Conclusion

Grassroots education projects play a vital role in preserving, promoting, and improving public schools. These initiatives engage parents, teachers, students, and community members in the fight for equitable and democratic education. From advocating for policy changes to organizing community events, grassroots education projects are making a difference in communities across the United States. By working together, we can ensure that every child has access to a high-quality public education and build a stronger future for our communities.