Public Schools Advocate is a project of The Progressive magazine that aims to pull back the curtain on those individuals, foundations, and groups working both to privatize our public schools and to limit the role of schools in creating a critically democratic citizenry.
Launched in 2013, and originally called Public School Shakedown, the project covers the fundamental struggle for democracy going on around the country, as teachers, parents, and others rally to protect our public schools.
We changed the name to Public Schools Advocate in 2021, embracing a broader goal to empower teachers, parents, and other community members to organize and advocate for strong public schools that serve all students well.To that end, we work with a diverse group of fellows—teachers, advocates, activists, thinkers, and others in the progressive education movement. We regularly publish their writings, support them in attending conferences and other events, and assist them in getting the word out about one of the most important issues facing our democracy today.
State Takeovers Are About Control and Corruption, Not ‘Results’
State takeovers of public schools take control of education away from communities. Read more
Nov 20, 2024
Voters Across the Political Spectrum Gave Public Education Important Wins in the 2024 Election
People around the country split their tickets to support public schools and vote for Trump. Read more
Nov 18, 2024
The Right’s ‘All-Out Assault on Educational Speech’ Continues Unabated
PEN America finds that a wave of laws banning books and gagging teachers in K-12 schools has spread to higher education. Read more
Nov 8, 2024
Who is the Oklahoma Superintendent Attempting to Stock Schools with Trump Bibles?
Ryan Walters has a history of breaking laws and advancing far-right policies, but he has ramped up his agenda in recent months. Read more
Oct 30, 2024
How a Struggling Boston School Found Success in the Roots of its Haitian American Community
The school’s success is a counterpoint to Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign and a testament to the resiliency of public schools when they embrace their local communities. Read more
Oct 16, 2024
Pulling Back the Curtain on the Right’s Ideas About Education
A new book explores what’s actually going on in public schools—and it’s not CRT. Read more
Oct 3, 2024
Midwest Dispatch: It’s Back to Active Shooter Drill Season
Gun ownership and active shooter drills don’t make us safer. Read more
Sep 30, 2024
Why Trump Can’t Disavow His Support for Project 2025
The rightwing playbook’s plans for public schools are already in place or rolling out. Read more
Aug 13, 2024
How Charter Schools Became Politically Isolated
While the charter industry has become “too woke” for Republicans, it has done nothing to win back Democrats. Read more
Aug 5, 2024