Weadé
James
Senior Director, K-12 Education Policy
The K-12 Education Policy team is committed to developing policies for a new education agenda rooted in principles of opportunity for all and equity in access.
K-12 Education applies an explicit race and resource equity lens to our policy and research agenda. We set a standard where equity is centered in all education policymaking and practice, and where institutional racism is called out and addressed as a barrier to progress.
We are dedicated to preparing all students for college, civic engagement, and the workforce. We recognize the importance of the K-12 education system in providing every child with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in higher education and a changing workforce.
We recognize that no education reform effort can be successful without teachers. We are working to modernize and elevate the teaching profession so that teachers receive the training, pay, and respect they deserve and all students have access to high-quality teachers.
We know that funding matters in education, and there are both racial and socioeconomic disparities in investment and opportunities. We are fighting for increased investment and more equitable funding systems so that schools and students receive the resources they deserve.
The K-12 Education team is grateful to be part of several great coalitions that allow education advocates and community members to share information, coordinate advocacy, brainstorm policy proposals, and more.
This coalition represents a group of education, civil rights, disability, research, and community organizations working on K-12 education policy and advocacy.
The PIE Network connects, strengthens, and catalyzes advocates across communities, states, and ideological lines to ensure every student has an equitable and excellent education.
This national coalition of diverse education organizations and educators sought to transform the systems and policies that support teachers to ensure all students have access to great teaching.
The K-12 Education team has worked with partner organizations on major initiatives aimed at strengthening different parts of the U.S. education system.
WeBuildEDU is a campaign led by the Center for American Progress and EduColor dedicated to amplifying the voices of educators of color in discussions about what public education should look like in light of the ongoing movement for racial justice and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a combination of media, local organizing, and policy proposals, the campaign will work to ensure that decision-makers are centering the ideas and experiences of educators of color and involving them in policymaking in the short and long term.
The Moonshot for Kids initiative was a yearlong collaboration with the Fordham Institute to gather ideas for new research and development (R&D) and bolster bipartisan support for education R&D. The initiative had three components: publications about the history of education R&D; a competition to identify big, bold ideas that additional investment in education R&D could fund; and a policy proposal for how to build out a sustainable education R&D infrastructure.
Our team believes that education policymaking should be developed with support from the community. We collaborate with community-based groups to hold conversations with educators, administrators, students, and parents and incorporate these stories and insights into our policy proposals and advocacy. Here are some of the organizations we have worked with.
A coalition working to end the systemic racism and economic oppression in New York’s public schools shortchanging generations of Black, brown, low-income, and immigrant students.
CEI helps teachers, school leaders, and district stakeholders catalyze bold, comprehensive change in public education in Colorado.
EJ-ROC brings together researchers, data and policy analysts, and community organizers to design solutions and advance the education justice movement.
EduColor mobilizes advocates nationwide around issues of educational equity, agency, and justice.
An immigrant-led nonprofit partnering with educators and community leaders to ensure safe and inclusive schools for undocumented and mixed-status students and families.
NewMexicoKidsCAN serves as a catalyst and conduit to advocate for community-informed, student-centered and research-backed education policies in New Mexico.
PAVE connects, informs, and empowers parent leaders to give families in Washington, D.C., a voice and choice in the vision for education in the city.
Student Voice equips students as storytellers, organizers and partners who advocate for student-driven solutions to educational inequity.
TransFamily Support Services promotes a gender-affirming and accepting community through resources, training, and education.
We are deeply committed to the role of education in building an equitable and just society. Our approach is to apply an explicit racial equity lens to problem-solving. That lens requires us to engage the communities and people most deeply impacted by education policies in our research, advocacy, and coalition-building. A combination of professional expertise and expertise from the lived experiences of community members allows us to develop and advocate for ideas that will expand opportunity, build a strong democracy, and advance an inclusive economy, both now and in the future.
In an op-ed, Akilah Alleyne argues that the United States has an urgent need to invest in schools and teachers. Alleyne argues that MAGA extremists are trying to brush past the investment challenges facing our schools and instead they focus their efforts on pushing for book bans.
Sen. Rick Scott’s education plan would cut the funding equivalent of 433,000 public school teachers, eliminate Pell Grants, and zero out programs for students with disabilities.
Despite its pledge not to make political contributions, the DeVos family continues to give millions to far-right issues and candidates.
Although Arizona Rep. McSally’s exact stance on education is unclear, her alignment with congressional Republicans’ agenda on public education threatens teachers, schools, and students in her state.
Some incumbent governors up for re-election this year are trying to convince voters that they will be champions for education—but their track records tell a very different story.
School choice proposal could divert billions of dollars to private schools.
Supporting and protecting the country’s students should be a priority of every president. However, Donald Trump is again proposing to eliminate or drastically cut the U.S. Department of Education.
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