Addressing Anti-Public Education Policies: How Does the Stigma Surrounding Culturally Responsive Pedagogies Contribute to Disparities Americans Already Face?

As the United States suffers an attack on the public education system by Republican policymakers, which has been a contributing factor to the widespread educator shortage, it is imperative that legislators who run on campaigns of diversity, equity, and inclusion take initiative to ensure that students enrolled in K-12 schooling receive an education that effectively utilizes culturally responsive pedagogies that focus on teaching students how to understand topics that have been heavily politicized — like race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

NationBreeAnna VirruetaJuly 26, 2024BreeAnna Virrueta, Education, Diversity, HealthcareComment

Nationwide Book Bans Cause More Damage Than We Are Acknowledging

In 21st-century America, we are witnessing an educational commitment to vilify and dehumanize marginalized communities through the censorship of children’s books. Since 2019, there have been more than 1,500 book bans in at least 26 states across the country, contributing to the erasure of many marginalized groups’ histories. In the 2022-2023 school year alone, there was a 33 percent increase in public school book bans. Bans on books that were once standard to read in the classroom, like Maus and Animal Farm, have made teachers and educators leave their field during an already massive educator shortage, further exacerbating the crisis.

NationBreeAnna VirruetaMay 21, 2024breeanna virrueta, book banning, EducationComment

The Private School Myth

Virtually every child in America goes to school. Approximately 9% of these children attend a private school. These are schools that are not bound by state regulations and are privately funded, usually by charging tuition. They are generally considered better than their public counterparts: a Gallup poll found that in 2017, 71% of its respondents felt that independent private schools and 63% felt that parochial schools (basically religious private schools) do an excellent or good job educating children, compared with 44% for public schools.

NationBenjamin ShihDecember 30, 2023benjamin shih, Schools, School Funding, Education, private educationComment

Oakland’s Education Crisis

The lack of quality education has directly affected the 37,000 Oakland public school students, leading to their poor academic performance in comparison to other California students around the state.

StateAna Cristina GarridoMay 25, 2019Oakland, redfored, Education, California, Schools, teachersComment

Bilingual Education: Unlocking California's Potential

Bilingualism has returned to California schools. The impact could be extraordinary.

StateMariah NibertMay 1, 2019California Politis, Education, bilingualism, multiculturalismComment

California community college 4 year degree program: a band-aid for a deeper problem

StateSharrieJanuary 27, 20154 year degree, California State University, community college, Education, Higher Education, Jerry Brown, Legislature, University of CaliforniaComment

Obama’s Oprah Moment

NationSharrieJanuary 20, 2015Barack Obama, community college, Education, Federal government, GPA, high school, Higher Education, labor, skilled labor, taxComment

A Fuzzy Separation

-- The Golden State, Featured, News, StateSharrieJune 3, 2014catholic school, Diocese of Oakland, Education, first amendment, morality clause, Oakland, separation of church and state, teacher contracts Comment

Rotten to the Core

Featured, NationDPRApril 21, 2014American schools, bureaucrats, Common core, Education, Public Education, Public school system, red tape, standardized testing, teaching, unionsComment

Diplomas and Debts

Along with the cap and gown, diploma, and the bliss of finally graduating, there’s something else that recent college graduates might be taking home upon graduating: more than $26,000 in student loan debt.