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Messaging Guidance How to be effective How to talk about education issues with family and friends How to talk about education issues at school board meetings It can be easy to get caught up in the heat of the conversation. To help, here are some tips on how to talk about educational equity. Messaging Guidance How to be effective Speak on our terms — not theirs: Avoid using hot button language that is intentionally being mischaracterized. Say what you mean with simple language that reflects your community values. Aim to engage, not educate: People tend to shut down when they feel like they’re being “educated.” Instead, bring them into the conversation, by hearing their perspectives, asking questions, and thanking them for sharing. Share the truth, but know when to leave: Remember that not everyone will be willing to listen, and it’s not your responsibility to convince everyone at the table. Make sure to acknowledge how you’re feeling and take time to practice routines of selfcare. As we continue to navigate fraught and intense discussions, it’s important that we step away from hot-button language and humanize the debate . This language will help allies transition away from the opposition’s framing so that we can get the conversation back on our terms. When confronted with opposition talking points or concerns: DO address concerns earnestly, and inoculate against the worst misconceptions DON’T debate the meaning of jargon, or dismiss concerns outright. Sample pivot and inoculation statements: I hear what you’re saying. I think we can both agree that we want our kids to feel valued and accepted. That’s why… I hear your concern, and I want to be clear that isn’t what is happening in our classrooms. What we both care about is… Parent involvement is great and I am so glad you are involved in your kids' education. In fact, parents and teachers should work together to… How to be effective How to talk about education issues with family and friends Do Don't DO speak about bans on historical figures, authors, and other local concerns. DON'T use national examples or viral media that isn’t actually based on the local reality and context. DO ensure that everyone has enough time and space to clearly discuss their point of view. DON'T apologize for elevating, listening to, and advocating for students, especially students of color. DO ensure that everyone has enough time and space to clearly discuss their point of view. DON'T use yelling or attacking language (e.g. refrain from calling someone racist or using hot topic buzz words). DO appeal to the shared values at the table—whether that’s about kids learning life skills, compassion, or empathy—and look for common ground in education. DON'T use jargon that they might not be familiar with or zero-sum language (i.e. describe the type of environments every student deserves rather than saying “equitable learning environments”). How to talk about education issues with family and friends How to talk about education issues at school board meetings Do Don't DO speak from your own personal experience and about local examples and local concerns DON’T use national examples or rhetoric that isn’t actually based on the local reality and context DO use messaging that brings in the widest tent (i.e. focus on the benefits for ALL children) DON’T apologize for elevating, listening to, and advocating for students, particularly students of color or LGBTQ+ students DO appeal to shared values (e.g. the importance of students being able to see themselves and their cultures in the books they read, etc.) and look for common ground in education DON’T repeat the other side’s negative framing to address criticism DO define restrictive laws in clear terms (e.g. “these laws stop teachers from teaching about race relations and inequality”) DON’T use jargon (i.e. avoid formal language and focus on making your point clearly) or zero-sum language (i.e. refer to history as “expansive” or “full” rather than “accurate”) DO ensure that each speaker has a clearly defined ask for the board DON’T yell or use attacking language (e.g. refrain from calling someone racist) DO clearly define the impact, rather than focusing on motives. Share examples of real-world harm, specific to your school district, regarding discrimination and inequality DON’T get into a semantics debate on what CRT and SEL really is, and how your work is or isn’t CRT or SEL DO start by thanking the Board and acknowledging the difficult work they do on behalf of their constituents, even if you don’t agree with them DON’T start with anger or accusations – that doesn’t help leaders receive your message with openness How to talk about education issues at school board meetings

< Back to Newsroom NO TO HOUSE BILL 8 in Ohio! May 8, 2023 NO TO HOUSE BILL 8 in Ohio! Chair Bird, Vice-Chair Fowler-Arthur, Ranking Member Robinson, and members of the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee: The Campaign for our Shared Future (COSF) is committed to fighting for the right of every child to an inclusive and high-quality education that prepares them for success in life. Unfortunately, House Bill (HB) 8 undermines this goal and would help dismantle public schools that serve as the backbone of this country. HB 8 is not about protecting children – it’s about banning books. This bill would give a single person the power to appoint themselves judge and jury over what’s appropriate for everyone else’s children. Parents already have the power to make choices about their children’s education. In fact, federal law protects their right to review their child’s materials. All they have to do is ask. HB 8 could result in more books that reflect ALL of Ohio’s children being pulled from library shelves. Indeed, one in three books censored last year feature LGBTQ+ characters. ALL of Ohio’s children deserve to see themselves and their families represented in books. HB 8 is a needless waste of resources . HB 8 could result in every school hunting down words or sentences from tens of thousands of books, which will remove teachers, librarians, and administrators from their primary responsibility to educate children. This bill is burdensome and would undermine continued efforts by the legislature to tackle the teacher shortage crisis. HB 8 is redundant and unnecessary. Federal law already guarantees parents’ a right to access their child’s education records, and allows parents and guardians to review any surveys before they are administered to their child, among other guaranteed rights. Provisions concerning students’ records are a thinly veiled attempts to “out” LGBTQ+ students to their parents without their consent and will undoubtedly create barriers for students who need mental health services but may not have supportive or involved parents. HB8 is a distraction from the real issues facing Ohio's students: staff shortages, substandard school facilities, insufficient school funding, and more. Say NO to HB 8 because all Ohio students deserve the right to access robust, high-quality education. Sincerely, Heather Harding Executive Director of the Campaign for Our Shared Future Previous Next

< Back to Newsroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2023 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org The Campaign for Our Shared Future Announces Voter Education Campaign and Guide Washington, DC - Today, the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) Executive Director, Heather Harding, Ed.D. released the following statement celebrating the launch of a 2023 voter education campaign focused on school board races across the country: "Elections are about the future, and school boards do important work close to home. In 2023, more than 30,000 school board elections will help make decisions about curriculum and funding for children and teachers nationwide. The people we elect to serve on our school boards will have a greater effect on our children's futures than who we elect as president. "Our schools should reflect the values and priorities of our communities. Voting in school board elections is the best way of protecting local control and family involvement. We must ensure that our school board members represent the interests of all our students and families, and aren’t simply trying to advance their own political careers. Those we elect must work collaboratively with educators, parents, and community members to create a learning environment that supports our children’s academic needs and enables their personal growth and success. "Selecting the best candidates will require education. This month, the Campaign For our Shared Future will launch a voter education campaign to prepare voters for civic participation. To support this effort, we’ve developed a voter guide filled with essential information people can use to prepare for the elections in their communities. We hope that by providing this information, voters will have the tools to help them identify and consider candidates aligned with their values and priorities. Together, we can ensure our children have the best possible chance to succeed and thrive in school and life." ​ ### The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. COSF is a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country. Previous Next

< Back to Newsroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2023 press@campaignsharedfuture.org ICYMI: Campaign for Our Shared Future Blog Features Librarian's Journey From Educator to Advocate Ahead of Banned Book Month Washington, D.C . - Today, Carolyn Foote a Texas Librarian and Co-founder of the FReadom Fighters was featured on the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) blog “The Unbiased Classroom.” Through her personal experiences, Foote emphasizes the dangers that book bans pose to our children’s education and how librarians, families, and advocates can fight back against the increase in censorship across the country. Last week, two new reports provided new data that proves the freedom to read is still under assault with over 3,000 instances of book bans in US public classrooms last school year. In the last two years, many districts have received hundreds of book challenges with a recent report citing that 92% of book challenges target more than one title . Foote issues a call to action saying “only when the majority of Americans who oppose book bans engage in this fight will it come to an end.” Read an excerpt from: How my library job turned into a fight for freedom The best job in the school, I used to say. As a school librarian, I spent 29 years on high school campuses, supported by and collaborating with families to help our students be successful, whether it was helping them find resources for a paper or helping them find books they loved. Fast forward to 2023, now librarians like myself find themselves at the center of politically motivated controversies, harassment, and unprecedented censorship attempts. But all of the disruption shifts our focus from what really matters - getting our students and their families excited about reading. … I worry for all students whose learning is at the center of this whirlwind. When we ban books we signal certain ideas and identities aren’t welcome in our classroom. By extension we are telling our students that if they see themselves reflected in those texts, they aren’t welcome in our schools. Our students’ right to a high-quality age-relevant education is under threat by extremists who fail to treat them with respect. For many Americans, busy with their everyday lives, there’s a lack of awareness of the widespread nature of book bans and the impacts on students, librarians and teachers. That’s why campaigns like Let America Read and Unite Against Book Bans which highlight the challenges are important. And despite the appearance created by legislative actions and political rhetoric, a large majority of Americans oppose book bans; this holds across party lines. So what can you do to get involved during Banned Book Week, a traditional observance of the freedom to read in October? Take time to thank a librarian or school board member for defending student access to age relevant content. Engage on social media with those fighting against book bans like @oif , @campaignfuture , @everylibrary , @letamericaread , and @freadomfighters . Speak up at a school board meeting for an inclusive curriculum and contact organizations like Campaign for Our Shared Future for help . Research your local school board candidates. Check your voter registration status using Let America Read’s “I am a Voter'' campaign by texting READ to 26797 . Only when the majority of Americans who oppose book bans engage in this fight will it come to an end. We need your voices and more importantly, so do our students. You can read the full post here . ## The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high-quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. COSF is a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country. Previous Next

CO SF Facts ​ Name The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF ) ​ Designation 501(c)3 nonprofit organization ​ Founded October 2021 ​ Sister Organizations The Campaign for Our Shared Future Action Fund (COSF-AF) dedicated to electing pro-equity candidates to school board s around the country. Location COSF operates in all 50 states addressing significant opportunites and needs. At any given time there are 10-15 states, where school stakeholders at all levels have requested additional support in their efforts to protect what is great in their schools from outside attack. ​ Mission The Campaign for Our Shared Future is a non-partisan, common ground effort fighting for the right of every child to an inclusive and high-quality education that prepares them for success in work and life and strengthens the foundation of our multiracial democracy. We combine deep expertise in K-12 education, communications, campaigns, and organizing to provide the strategic coordination and rapid-response capacity essential to defend public education from the all-out political assault now underway and gathering strength. ​ Leadership Executive Director: Heather Harding, Ed.D. Senior Advisor and Co-founder: Eliza Byard, Ph.D. ​ Programs Policy: COSF monitor's legislation moving through states and listens to the hearings and testimony from the public. Partnerships: COSF provides partners with financial support and resources such as message training and background briefings, and the organization embeds its staff in their projects. ​ Field: COSF mobilizes individuals and trains them to be advocates, and it educates voters about the issues and candidates in key elections. Communication: COSF tells stories through traditional and digital media about real families caught in the middle of bad policy and political games. ​ Educator Defense Fund: COSF provides a central rapid-response resource of support services for educators, superintendents, and school board members under attack by extremists. ​

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2023 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org The Campaign for Our Shared Future Condemns Attacks on AP African American Studies during Black History Month Today, on the first day of Black History Month, the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) Executive Director Heather Harding, Ed.D. released the following statement in response to recent attacks on the new Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies course: “The Campaign for Our Shared Future is enraged that the College Board is being pushed to remove key subject matter from the curriculum for its new Advanced Placement course in African American Studies, following recent political attacks by extremists like Governor DeSantis and his political allies. Governor DeSantis is using his classroom censorship bill as cover to push his ideological beliefs on our children. This is the latest example of a radical politician attempting to disrupt the teaching of African American history in our public schools. “This news comes at the start of Black History Month, a time when the country is traditionally celebrating and honoring the contributions of African Americans. If we allow politicians to decide what our children learn, what’s to stop them from restricting lessons about Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? These politicians are attempting to score political points and are causing harm to our children, educators, and families. “We can not afford to fall for this political scheme. Our children are being robbed of the ability to learn. They deserve the opportunity to be taught American history in its entirety, including Black history. “While it’s sickening that politicians like Ron DeSantis are choosing to attack the educational system and African American studies in hopes of elevating their political standings, it would be extremely disturbing if the College Board had submitted to political pressure and that any of the reported changes impede students ability to receive the inclusive education they deserve. We should be celebrating this timely addition to curricular options instead of censoring American history.” ### The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. COSF is a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 4, 2022 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org The Campaign for Our Shared Future’s Statement On Recent Inaccurate Reporting Washington, D.C. - Today, the Campaign for Our Shared Future released the following statement in response to recent news stories. ​ “Due to inaccuracies in recent reporting, we would like to provide clarity on our work and operations. ​ “The Campaign for Our Shared Future is a 501c3 created in October 2021. A 501c4 was created in May 2022 and is still in its early stages of development. The vast majority of our work and expenditures are c3 and have nothing to do with elections, and not the congressional or senate races, focusing instead on protecting the ability of K-12 schools to serve all of their students effectively. ​ “COSF is nonpartisan. We do not support Democrats or Republicans. Our c4 is only created to focus on school board races, which are also mostly nonpartisan, and not the other elections this year. Our c4 will support school board candidates committed to preserving meaningful content and dedicated to safety and educational access for all children. Our c3 work brings allies from all points on the political spectrum together in support of a high-quality, age-appropriate, and accessible K-12 education for every child in this country. ​ “COSF is not connected to – nor funded by – any Democratic organizations, structures, or political committees.” ​ ### The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. COSF is a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country. ​

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2, 2023 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org The Campaign for Our Shared Future Responds to Parents Bill of Rights (HR 5) New federal legislation aims to scare, not help, families and wastes tax dollars on red tape Washington, D.C. - Today, the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) Executive Director, Heather Harding, Ed.D., released the following statement in response to the introduction of the Parents Bill of Rights Act (HR 5) : “This bill is not about helping parents and teachers work together more effectively – it’s about scaring parents into thinking that schools don't have the best interests of children at heart. Instead of scoring political points and wasting tax dollars on more bureaucracy, we should be talking about the support that families actually need. We need to focus on resources that help our children. “This is a solution looking for a problem playing out through political theater by radical politicians. Federal law–as well as many state and local laws–already ensure that parents have access to the materials their children use in school. Districts already ask parents for their thoughts on materials before making purchases. “Any policy that claims to promote the best interests of families needs input and consideration from real parents in the community. It should not come from federal politicians who are trying to advance their personal agendas and have little connection to the schools in question.” ​ ### The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. COSF is a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2023 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org Campaign for Our Shared Future To Launch Educator Defense Fund Help Desk Will Assist Educators Receiving Threats Amid Rage Over Education Policies AUSTIN, TX - The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) announced today at SXSW EDU plans to launch the Educator Defense Fund, a central rapid-response resource of support services for educators, superintendents, and school board members under attack by extremists. The help desk comes at a time when political agendas and the spread of misinformation are leading to more extreme views and threatening behaviors finding their way into schools, including violence based on race, religion, or gender. This peddling of misinformation and fear has led to a sharp increase in threats aimed at educators and school board officials , many of whom have been intimidated and threatened in alarming numbers across the country , outside school grounds, across social platforms, and at local school board meetings. These actions also prompted the Justice Department to develop strategies addressing threats against teachers and school officials. “Schools have become a flashpoint for politicians looking to advance their agendas, and they are using scare tactics to target teachers and school staff who are focused on preparing our students for the future,” said Heather Harding , Ed.D, Executive Director of Campaign for Our Shared Future. “These dangerous antics show radical politicians are willing to use anything to win office, including jeopardizing the safety of educators and students. COSF is uniquely positioned to connect education professionals with rapid support in response to deeply concerning developments in the field. The Educator Defense Fund will offer our educators a helping hand to oppose these attacks.” ​ The Fund could help educators like Kentucky's 2022 teacher of the year, Willie Carver, Jr., who quit his job citing homophobia and repeated harassment against him and LGBTQ students. “I’ve received verbal and online attacks, including someone posting images of me and LGBTQ students on social media with homophobic comments and slurs,” Carver said. “I did not feel supported by my district in combating these attacks, nor did they approach the LGBTQ students who were harassed to address their concerns. I am grateful for COSF’s help desk to provide educators like me an opportunity to be heard, seen, and supported.” ​ Nina Perez, National Director for Early Learning at MomsRising, added, “Florida moms are horrified that books are being banned, our history is being censored, and educators and librarians are being threatened simply for doing their jobs. Educators should not have to worry about their jobs or their safety, and we should be working together to support, rather than fend off attacks on, our public schools. Moms and parents don’t want lawmakers to instigate culture wars designed to advance their political careers. We want lawmakers to focus on kitchen table issues like making quality child care affordable and paid family and medical leave available to all of us. We support our hard-working educators and won’t bow to the bullies who want to intimidate them.” ​ Once launched, COSF’s Educator Defense Fund will be available to any educator receiving injustice resulting from politically motivated actions. It will be staffed by a team of experts offering communications, legal advice, and other resources. Working with partners in the education sector, COSF seeks to create a funded infrastructure to provide targeted individuals with services and support. ​ ### The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. COSF is a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country.

Office of Civil Rights Complaints Know Your Rights Where to File When to File Complaint FAQ How to File - ACLU How to File - Legal Aid Investigation FAQ The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is the federal agency that enforces federal civil rights laws in schools and other educational institutions. ​ If a district abandons long-standing procedures for reviewing books, more than just political games are at stake. Families are in danger of having their civil rights violated. ​ The OCR investigates discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability. Check out these resources on how to file a complaint.