In some schools, students of Palestinian, Muslim, and even Iranian and Arab descent are being subjected to name-calling, harassment, and bullying. [read Eleanor Bader's story online] This is reminiscent of and parallel to what I saw in some schools back in the day — Jewish students encountered antisemitism and students of color encountered obvious racism. To … [Read more...] about Harassment of students
schools
Open Letter to Kutztown Area School Board
On February 9, the Reading Eagle reported that the the district's One Book, One School program would be halted because the book, Two Degrees, a novel by Alan Gratz, centers on young people's efforts to deal with climate change. It was encouraging to read that Superintendent Temchatin and several others expressed strong support for the … [Read more...] about Open Letter to Kutztown Area School Board
Rethinking education & schools
As we've often indicated on this website, including in the schools section, the US educational system is dragged down by major structural flaws. The extensive use of standardized testing may be the most obvious, but it is only one of several serious problems. Thanks to prominent educator Alfie Kohn, we have a comprehensive look at what needs to be done to develop sound … [Read more...] about Rethinking education & schools
‘Curriculum Violence’
A reader on our website suggested we mention a recent article that focuses on ways to avoid and address curriculum-related trauma and includes many useful resources for educators. (The term ‘curriculum violence’ is used to call attention to the fact that what schools teach — and fail to teach —as well as how they teach can result in trauma to some children.) ‘How to … [Read more...] about ‘Curriculum Violence’
#TeachTheTruth
Peter Crownfield and Devon Jewell Editors note: This essay is adapted from the Alliance summer internship report on Climate Change Education, for which Devon was the lead author, and from a longer article on environmental justice written that Devon and Peter wrote for the upcoming State of the Lehigh Valley report. Why do some serious, widespread problems persist year … [Read more...] about #TeachTheTruth
Education for Sustainability
Kermit O A question I’ve always disliked when meeting people in professional or even casual spaces is: “What do you do?” Because where should I start? Like all of us, I wear many hats: I’m a graduate student, an orchard intern, an aspiring community educator, a writer, a life partner, a brother, son, and uncle, among other things. But the subtext of that question, of course, … [Read more...] about Education for Sustainability
What They Never Taught Us
As a senior in college, I have been reflecting on my education throughout the years. In elementary, middle, and high school. I find myself angry at our country. Our schools have failed us by teaching that Martin Luther King Jr. solved racism, and Christopher Columbus was a hero who discovered America. The current political climate has divided our country into those who think … [Read more...] about What They Never Taught Us
Let’s Talk About Climate Justice
by Audrey Dai Climate justice. These two simple words are probably not as familiar as the now politically infused “climate change”. Instead, these words emphasize how environmental changes are an issue of civil rights, and how these changes will affect each of us living on this planet, just some more than others. And this is regardless of your political standing. In the … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk About Climate Justice
Climate Justice
by Audrey Dai Climate justice. These two simple words are probably not as familiar as the now politically infused “climate change”. Instead, these words emphasize how environmental changes are an issue of civil rights, and how these changes will disproportionately affect each of us living on this planet, just some more than others. And this is regardless of your political … [Read more...] about Climate Justice
CDC’s real recommendations for ‘reopening’ from coronavirus
The U.S. disease-control experts at the CDC prepared detailed guidelines on how to safely reopen businesses and institutions, but the White House shelved the experts' recommendations and released a far less restrictive plan. CDC guidance more restrictive than White House School Superintendents Dismiss White House, Will Follow Leaked CDC Guidance on Reopening Actual … [Read more...] about CDC’s real recommendations for ‘reopening’ from coronavirus