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.
Creative Commons
Midwest Dispatch: Who Pays When a Charter School Suddenly Closes?
The recent closing of a Minneapolis charter school shows how the U.S. education system truly treats under-served communities. Read more
Jul 30, 2021
Photo courtesy of Principal Tomohiro Taniyama.
Schools Should Be Designed to Address Students’ Trauma
As rates of depression and anxiety increase among children and adolescents, schools need to be built in a way that’s safe and supportive, not harsh and imposing. Read more
Jul 21, 2021
(Creative Commons)
Don’t Let the Rhetoric Fool You—Understand How Charter Schools Often Aren’t Public
If they were, they wouldn’t be so inaccessible. Read more
Jul 17, 2021
Photo by Alliance for Excellent Education, courtesy of Flickr.
Charter Schools Aren’t the Answer, but Community Schools Could Be
If our mission is to make sure all children receive a great education, then community schools—which offer services like free healthcare and meals—might be our best bet. Read more
Jun 29, 2021
Photo by Milwaukee Teachers Association.
When Teachers Practice Mutual Aid, the Whole School Thrives
Last year, with the government failing to provide meaningful COVID-19 aid, teachers stepped up by caring for each other and their students. Read more
Jun 24, 2021
Creative Commons
When Teachers Revolt
Looking back at the teacher strikes of 2018-2019, it’s clear that true reform for U.S. public schools will only come from undoing capitalism. Read more
Jun 14, 2021
(Photo by MA Haykal, courtesy of Shutterstock).
In Camden, School Closures Revealed How Unequal the System Can Be
The New Jersey city was used as an experiment for improving schools by closing them; now, nearly a decade later, it’s become abundantly clear that this was a terrible idea. Read more
May 18, 2021
(Photo by cmh2315fl, courtesy of Flickr).
Tennessee’s Plan to Privatize Schools Is a Warning Sign for the Rest of the Country
The state’s experiment with placing charter school operators in charge of districts never worked, but lawmakers won’t let it die. Read more
May 1, 2021
(Photo by Steven Depolo).
The Case for Banning School Suspensions
We need to try to understand, not penalize, students when they act out. Read more
Apr 22, 2021
