Education Reform Now

Robert Stephens witnessed firsthand how the power of education can lift a family out of poverty. The former public school teacher and former staff member of the late Congressman John Lewis  is an advocate for policies that impact Black and Brown students.  Today, he serves as Chief of State and Regional Impact for Education Reform Now. He discusses how his HBCU eduction at Winston-Salem State University shaped him into a leader who fights for children—once like himself—who need proper resources and support to thrive in school. Check out the full episode of #ClassIsInSession with host Ashlei Stevens on Black Enterprise Magazine’s streaming platforms! https://lnkd.in/eQsCPag8

“The status quo in education is simply not serving our children." Education Reform Now Southern Region President Alisha Thomas Searcy hosted the first #SouthernConvening in Atlanta last weekend, an event gathering education reformers to champion #EdEquity & reform. The inaugural #SouthernConvening featured over 40 state legislators, education leaders, and advocates in a historic gathering bringing together change-makers from across the South to confront the most pressing challenges facing public education. https://lnkd.in/gvVkd6ee

“Investing in K-12 education is a strategic economic decision.” Read Forbes to see why ERN CEO Jorge Elorza advocates for high-quality early education as a smart business strategy and a step toward equity. https://lnkd.in/gMgQg2dZ

Did you miss the Voices for Academic Equity webinar last week? I've got you covered! Take an hour out of your day to hear me speak with expert panelists about the importance of course taking in high school and the stark differences (and implications of those differences) across Massachusetts schools. Watch the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/eK32yEmK

ERN has been tracking enrollment outcomes at highly selective colleges and universities for the past month. With adequate enrollment data on the first-year class (the Class of 2028) from 34 institutions, ERN's James Murphy was able to do some preliminary analysis, which led to five findings about the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions, which banned institutions of higher education from considering race as one among many components in their admissions decisions. #SFFA https://lnkd.in/gG7tU8pK

TOMORROW! Our President & CEO Andrea Wolfe joins the Voices for Academic Equity on a panel to discuss what the findings of their new report mean for high school students across Massachusetts. Register here: https://t.co/YJl0OziUKD #maedu #mapoli Democrats for Education Reform Massachusetts Alliance for Early College Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education Education Reform Now

I'm so proud and honored to receive the 2024 Eddies Award for Most Actionable Tools and Research! Charles Barone and I have spent the past year developing research on high-performing, high-poverty schools across Colorado, Massachusetts, and Texas. We're so excited to leverage these findings and continue to collaborate with the incredible leaders at PIE Network to drive school improvement and ensure that all students can access high-quality learning opportunities regardless of the neighborhood they live in or the school they attend. I'm so grateful to the state leaders who supported this work and continue to advocate for change – Tracy Johnson, Mary Tamer, Ed.M., Erin Cooley, and Jen Walmer. And thank you to our wonderful comms team Lynn Sexton and Emily Ann Meagher for all their work in elevating this research. If you haven't read Spotlight Schools yet, what are you waiting for? Apparently it's the hottest new research! Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/ejEJiHqC

“Demography does not, however, always have to equal destiny.” These three recent reports from Education Reform Now offer shining examples of schools with high percentages of students from low-income backgrounds that have achieved remarkable success, despite systemic inequities. Take a look! https://lnkd.in/gDVv8VyX #EdChat #K12 #SchoolLeaders

Proud and honored to have been selected by our colleagues in the PIE Network for "Best Collaboration" in 2024. There is still work to be done in Massachusetts (and across the country) to ensure all students can read by grade 3, but if this group is behind it, I am confident we will make huge strides for students!

Excited to join my colleagues from the Voices for Academic Equity coalition this Thursday at 2PM to discuss the wide variation in students' learning experiences across high schools in Massachusetts. Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/gmNrEf4k