Rallying for Our Schools: Insights on the Save Our Schools March Movement
Public education stands as a cornerstone of American society. Yet today, underfunded schools fail millions of students each year. Dilapidated buildings, overcrowded classrooms, overwhelmed teachers – symptoms of a system starved by dwindling budgets.
Spurred by these stark realities, concerned parents and community leaders nationwide have mobilized under the banner of Save Our Schools (SOS). Through grassroots organizing, targeted advocacy and vocal protests, this impassioned movement demands increased federal, state and local support for quality public education.
As an education reform expert who has spent decades working to uplift struggling schools, I applaud the SOS network‘s efforts to raise awareness and drive change. In this blog post, I‘ll explore the SOS March‘s background, mission and impact to date. I‘ll also incorporate supporting data on public education‘s greatest challenges today, spotlighting the dire need for advocacy.
The Save Our Schools Vision
The seeds of the Save Our Schools March first took root online in 2009. Teacher activists launched Facebook groups and blogs decrying public education budget cuts and misguided reforms sweeping the country.Momentum gradually built online over months until a national grassroots movement coalesced. Then in July 2011, thousands converged in Washington D.C. for the first Save Our Schools March and Call to Action.
This act of mass mobilization sparked a network of passionate education advocates – parents, youth, teachers, policy experts and community leaders. United behind a bold vision to strengthen public schools, members organized local chapters and developed an ambitious reform agenda. Their consistent drumbeat of public activism continues influencing education policies at federal, state and district levels today.
At its core, the Save Our Schools vision rests on four pillars:
- Equitable funding to provide every child access to quality public education
- An enriched, engaging curriculum focused on the whole child
- Policymaking grounded in research and pedagogical best practices
- Respect and support for teaching as a respected, critically needed profession
Realizing this vision demands sweeping changes to how America resources and structures public education. It requires elected leaders to hear – and heed – the voices of millions crying out on behalf of students failed by the status quo.
Save Our Schools marshals these voices, directing their energy toward targeted reforms.
By the Numbers: Public Education‘s Funding Crisis
To grasp the passion fueling Save Our Schools‘ members, consider these shocking statistics on the state of public school funding. According to 2022 NEA reporting:
- 29 out of 50 states still spent less per K-12 student than before 2008 when adjusted for inflation
- The national average drop in per-student funding post-Great Recession amounts to $733
- Between 2008-2020, over $6,000 less was invested per public school student nationwide
These cuts hurt our children by eliminating resources critical for quality education, including:
- High-quality teachers
- Smaller classes
- Diverse course offerings
- Up-to-date textbooks
- Modern school infrastructure
- Technology access
- Counseling and mental health support
Moreover, funding inequities between wealthy and poor school districts continue widening:
"In over a third of states, the highest poverty districts receive at least 10% less state and local funding per student than the lowest poverty districts" – EdBuild 2022
Our failure as a nation to fully and equitably fund public education sabotages millions of students – especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
These alarming realities explain why thousands march to save our schools. Their outrage stems from injustice. Their movement arises from truth.
Impact in Action: Save Our Schools Advocacy Victories
One might ask whether these impassioned individuals really influence policy. The answer is a resounding yes! Since inception, Save Our Schools activism has achieved many tangible victories, including:
Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
After years fiercely opposing flawed No Child Left Behind policies, Save Our Schools members helped shape ESEA‘s successor, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Their input led to provisions supporting resource equity, whole-child education, teacher development, and moving away from high-stakes testing models.
Teacher Strikes for Fair Pay
Save Our Schools vocally champions teacher rights and voices. They bolstered mass teacher protest movements that erupted in states like Arizona, West Virginia and Oklahoma in 2018-19 over low salaries and funding shortages. These strikes drove significant pay increases for many.
Local Bond Passage
SOS chapters nationwide work relentlessly to help local bond measures for school infrastructure funding succeed on ballots each year. For example, members in Clayton County, Georgia canvassed communities and led get-out-the-vote efforts to finally pass an critical school improvement bond on its third attempt.
Through boots-on-the-ground and digital activism, Save Our Schools moves the needle on public education policies at all levels of government. They form a formidable force because their cause remains just and vision clear as day:
To secure every child access to nourishing, well-resourced schools that help dreams take flight.
Joining Forces: Together, We Can Save Our Schools
I‘ll conclude with a reminder that securing public education‘s future does not rest solely in the hands of impassioned parents and protesters. All of us – families, youth, educators, business leaders – must join forces to elevate our schools back to greatness.
We all have voices. We all have influence in spheres small and large. We all want thriving schools that steer students toward joyful, purpose-filled lives that enrich society.
So sound the alarm about public education‘s state of emergency today. then roll up your sleeves to take action.
Our children deserve no less. Their dreams depend on it.
