Changing the Conversation
We believe that changing education policies and practices – and, ultimately, outcomes for students – must start with changing hearts and minds. And this requires a shift in the ways we think and talk about students’ potential, about what families want for their children, about what’s working and not working in schools, and much more. That’s why, in 2018, we worked with parents, educators, and youth to ensure that education conversations – in news stories, at public events, on social media, and beyond – included nuanced and diverse perspectives.
We focused on elevating critical, yet often overlooked, voices. We supported new and diverse EdVoices contributors in publishing blog posts and op-eds on everything from teacher diversity to broadband infrastructure. We also connected parents, educators, and fellow advocates with opportunities to amplify their ideas and opinions, whether through interviews with reporters, public testimony at legislative hearings, or op-eds and letters to the editor.
Through strategic media outreach, and supporting community members to share their perspectives, we influenced over 80 news articles and commentaries in 2018.
In 2019, we will redouble our efforts to “pass the mic” to those most impacted by the state’s education inequities: families, students, and educators in historically underserved communities. To bring about urgent, meaningful change for Minnesota students, we believe their voices must be at the center.
Back to report
The panelists were powerful and provided new insights to the discussion around parent choice.
