Search Results

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 27, 2022 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org Campaign for Our Shared Future Launches Student Task Force Washington, D.C. - Today, the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF), a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on public education across the country, announced the launch of a Student Task Force. The task force convenes student leaders from across the country who care deeply about protecting a high-quality K-12 education that centers the needs of them and their peers. “I am thrilled that the Campaign for Our Shared Future is adding a remarkable group of proven student advocates to our team. These students have been leading the way for young people in their communities to advocate for the education they deserve,” said Heather Harding Ed.D., COSF executive director. “While extremist politicians have been launching repeated attacks on public education — banning books and silencing student voices — these young activists have been showing up to school board meetings and organizing their classmates. We are thrilled to partner with each of them to help stop the politicization of our schools once and for all.” Each student was drawn to the Student Task Force for their own reasons, and each student boasts their own impressive accomplishments. One member, Cameron Samuels was raised in Texas and has been vocal in their fight against discrimination and censorship in the classroom. “Education must represent and support all students,” said Cameron Samuels, Student Task Force member. “This Task Force would provide me opportunities to support public policy to strengthen the commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion in education.” Earlier this year Samuels testified before the Texas Senate to address the whitewashing of the social studies curriculum and is serving as Youth Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week. Hylah Daly has been a powerful voice for the diverse Georgia community where she was raised. She sued her county over a lack of diverse representation on her local school board. “I joined the Student Task Force because I believe it is necessary for schools to give all students, regardless of background, a good school experience and take accountability for their actions when they do things that hinder a student's safety or ability to learn,” said Hylah Daly, Student Task Force member. “Most kids across the country attend or have attended public schools. I want to see what students across other states are dealing with, or fighting for, related to education justice and for us to be able to support each other.” After a national search, seven students were selected to join the inaugural task force, bringing together students from Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. These young activists will partner with COSF to respond to attacks on K-12 education and guide COSF’s investments in building student power. The students on the task force will receive training and resources to take action in their own communities and become powerful education advocates. ### 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.

Community Building Starting a Group Gaining Members Getting Started Types of Groups School board races may be confronting national issues (divisive topics, book banning, etc.), but they are ultimately WON locally. Local groups who can get out the vote, keep the community informed, and who know the issues on the ground are invaluable to turning out the vote. When done right, digital and community engagement can help members of a community feel seen and heard. The tips below will help give students, parents, and community members the tools to support one another as they navigate school board meetings and online spaces. Community Building Types of Groups Online group - Zoom or Facebook or Instagram group centered around an issue serves to inform voters, give out voting information and to rally voters around a particular issue In -person group - centered around a theme to help get the vote out and share voter information Topics groups might center around - examples Equity and diversity group Public school supporters group Supporting students group Politically connected group Educator supporting group Do you want it to be a voluntary informal group or a PAC? Do you want to actively get out the vote/call voters? Do you want to support other education friendly races, also? Types of Groups Starting a Group Find a few like-minded friends Decide on the “issue” your group will center around Not just what you are against (you should know that) What are you for? What is the future you see? Why is this issue important to each of you? Decide on roles of member leaders at first two meetings Decide on local meaningful name that’s easy to distinguish Decide on method of communication - an email, a Google listserv, a Facebook or Instagram account or website - so other local people can join in and get information Decide on privacy levels for the group - is it by invitation, can anyone join? Some groups create a public Facebook page and then a private Facebook group for strategizing and planning. Or a public Facebook page, but use emails to communicate plans. Design any logo or branding you might want to use to identify your group - you can use Canva.com to create a free icon if desired. Decide on the target audience for your group - all voters, all public ed supporters, just women, youth voters, neighbors, etc. Decide on actions your group wants to undertake & write them down Research and decide on messaging themes for best impact Identify future target dates for items like these; set timeline Gathering more members via social media Educating voters about role of school board or other local positions Postcard writing Get out the vote door knocking or phone banking? Hosting house parties for candidates Hosting online forum for candidates Written questions for candidates Hosting online education events or webinar- i.e. How libraries select materials; how school boards work; how teachers choose curriculum; how to register voters, etc. etc. with informed speakers Voter registration or ballot education Starting a Group Gaining Members Start with your small initiating group and then ask each person to invite others Share your new group on other sympathetic Facebook or Instagram pages Tag school district on FB, Twitter or Instagram posts to increase visibility Keep tone professional at all times to avoid alienating like minded community members Design a t-shirt or something that can be worn in public to attract interest/attention Have start up meetings at easy local locations or on Zoom to outline a few goals to guide the group and to make introductions. Invite local guest speakers or candidates to meetings to gain more knowledge/more attendance. Hold “public school” celebration events in local locations with guest speakers, activities for kids, voter registration etc. Gaining Members Getting Started Every little bit of advocacy helps bring attention to school board races! Consider coordinating with other local groups, too, or candidates to make sure the support you provide is what’s needed. Helping people become aware of and invested in voting school board races in your area is key. Getting Started

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 24, 2022 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org The Campaign for Our Shared Future’s Statement On Historically Low Scores on Nation’s Report Card Washington, D.C. - Today, Campaign for Our Shared Future Executive Director Heather Harding released the following statement in response to the “massive drop ” in test scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Report Card . “Every child - no matter their background - deserves access to a high quality, age-appropriate education. The test scores announced by the National Assessment of Educational Progress proves that we are failing to provide that. “Our students, families, and teachers have had to work together to overcome unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They had to pivot and adapt while also dealing with ongoing mental health, school safety, and school funding crises. In spite of all this, families and schools showed an unwavering commitment toward helping our children succeed. But instead of getting the support they need to continue managing the effects of the pandemic, our students are being used by opportunistic extremist politicians. “These out-of-touch and career-driven politicians have hijacked our nation’s schools and school boards. They’ve launched a full-on attack on our kids’ education — and sadly, the children most often targeted and attacked by these political extremists are also some of our most vulnerable. “Our students will need everyone working together to get them back on track. That means ending the relentless culture war fights that distract from our students' needs, sow division and fear, and undermine the very support our students need to succeed.” ###

Florida HB 1557: Don't Say Gay HB 7: Stop WOKE HB 1467: K-12 Education When politicians play games with our schools, children suffer. Check out the details and the consequences of recent legislation in Florida. HB 1557 "Don't Say Gay" Law Bill Text Consequences Lawsuits Final version signed by Governor DeSantis on March 28, 2022 STOKING FEAR AMONG TEACHERS Teachers speak out against Florida's "Parental Rights in Education" bill ​ IMPACTING THE PUBLIC SECTOR Businesses oppose Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ ban on discussion of LGBTQ issues in public schools ​ STUDENT WALK OUTS Gainesville High School students walk out in protest of "Don't Say Gay" Bill [ALACHUA] ​ EXACERBATING THE TEACHER SHORTAGE 'I cannot teach in Florida': LGBTQ educators fear fallout from new school law ​ IMPACTING THE PUBLIC SECTOR Disney to Lose Special Tax Status in Florida Amid ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Clash ​ IMPACTS ON LGBTQ FAMILIES Same-sex parents living in Alachua County grapple with increase of anti-LGTBQ bills filed [ALACHUA] ​ CONFUSION AND OVER-IMPLEMENTATION Vague language in law results in confusion, fear at district level, causing districts to interpret law as conservatively as possible, implementing rules that are not mandated by the new law [DUVAL - dress codes, pronouns] ​ LACK OF GUIDANCE Without any guidance from the state, even leaders recognize the law in unable to be implemented. DOE issues memo stating that law will only apply to K-3 until guidance for later grades can be issued, causing even more confusion among districts. ​ CONFUSION AND OVER-IMPLEMENTATION Vague language in law results in confusion, fear at district level, causing districts to interpret law as conservatively as possible, implementing rules that are not mandated by the new law [ORANGE - T's CAN'T have rainbow stickers , then they CAN ] ​ FEAR AMONG STUDENTS Among law that leaves nearly every decision about students' learning and wellbeing up to parents, LGBTQ students scared, nervous - particularly those with unaccepting and unsupportive families ​ CONFUSION AND OVER-IMPLEMENTATION Confusion among school boards on what is and isn't allowed, aligned under 1557 [Miami-Dade School Board Rejects New Textbooks With Sex Education Curriculum ; Reversing a Reversal, Miami School Board Accepts Sex Ed Books It Had Rejected ] ​ CONFUSION AND OVER-IMPLEMENTATION Vague language in law results in confusion, fear at district level, causing districts to interpret law as conservatively as possible, implementing rules that are not mandated by the new law [LEON-gym class, support guide] EMBOLDENED EXTREMISM Florida school board candidate says doctors who treat trans kids 'should be hanging' from a tree DISTRICTS SET UP FOR FAILURE HB 1557 and others similar across states spurred Biden Administration to issue new Title IX guidance centered around protecting transgender students. Shortly after, FLDOE issues memo to schools , district instructing them not to follow guidance, because it would be dangerous to do so and they would be open to lawsuits for not following new state law. ((Meanwhile, four districts (G19) are already getting sued FOR following new state law.)) ​ IMPACTING PUBLIC SECTOR BUSINESS DeSantis files complaint against Miami restaurant after kids attend drag show, citing 1947 ruling on ‘men impersonating women’ . (Bill helping to catalyze a culture of targeting any interaction, in any setting, between LGBTQ people and children) ​ CONFUSION AND BURDEN FOR TEACHERS Florida teachers race to remake lessons as DeSantis laws take effect ​ ED LAWS USED AS LEVERAGE IN OTHER ANTI-LGBTQ LEGISLATION Building off the political momentum gained from HB 1557 and others, state leaders now seek to limit healthcare for LGBTQ youth --again, following patterns in other states. ​ NO GUIDANCE AT ANY LEVEL Revised student progression plan simply reiterates language from new laws without defining terms that teachers must know in order to protect their livelihoods (and in order to avoid becoming a liability to their school) [CHARLOTTE] ​ EXACERBATING THE TEACHER SHORTAGE Teachers say political battles over race, LGBTQ issues, are driving them out of Florida classrooms ​ CENSORING LGBTQ BOOKS A Florida school district added a parental 'advisory notice' to over 100 books ​ UNDUE BURDEN ON TEACHERS, ADMINS School leaders grapple with new rules for upcoming year ​ FUELING HATE ONLINE Anti-LBGTQ Hate Online Rose Sharply After Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law Passed ​ TEACHERS UNDER A MICROSCOPE Teachers across the state feel anxious , worried about bill's impacts on the way they can teach, whether they may be sued ​ VILIFYING TRANS KIDS This bill has stoked such fear among teachers, students, while emboldening conservative legislators to make unfounded attacks on individual trans kids. Doing so will create more unnecessary panic and set the stage for an anti-trans bathroom bill in 2023. ​ CONFUSION AMONG TEACHERS So-Called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law Confuses Some Florida Schools ​ ALL SUPPORTS FOR LGBTQ STUDENTS ERASED Manny Diaz, when he was a legislator carrying HB 1557 through, promised the bill (which restricts only instruction) would not impact non-curricular things like student srevices, clubs, supports, etc. Now, as Ed Commissioner, he bans students support guides across the state. Florida Educational commissioner gives go ahead to 'pull' LGBTQ support guides for students ​ FL TEACHERS RECRUITED TO OTHER STATES North Dakota district recruiting Florida teachers upset by 'Don't Say Gay' law ​ FURTHER EVIDENCE: TEACHERS CONFUSED, SCHOOLS LEFT TO NAVIGATE VAGUE AND CONFLICTING RULES Back to School in DeSantis’s Florida, as Teachers Look Over Their Shoulders ​ CHILLING EFFECT ON TEACHERS ‘It’s had a chilling effect’: Florida teachers anxious about ‘don’t say gay’ bill ​ OVER-IMPLEMENTATION Students who want to change their name or pronouns in Sarasota schools must now get parental permission , meaning students must out themselves to their families in order to get permission to be addressed the correct way at school. [SARASOTA] ​ TOTAL LGBTQ ERASURE Miami-Dade School Board to vote on whether to recognize LGBTQ history month post ‘Don’t Say Gay’ ​ OVER-IMPLEMENTATION Pasco Schools order removal of ‘safe space’ stickers showing support for LGBTQ students [PASCO] ​ OVER-IMPLEMENTATION Miami Dade school board rejects resolution to acknowledge October as LGBTQ History month, citing DSG. Strategy: Legislators used the vague language in 1557 to make it seem palatable enough to pass at the state level, knowing it would be overextended in this way because districts have no choice but to implement it as conservatively as possible. The bill includes a PCOA that means districts could be sued if they violate a law that they don't understand. [MIAMI DADE] ​ IMPACTING THE PUBLIC SECTOR Games Done Quick, one of the largest esports and video game competitions in the world, has announced it will not hold its event in person this coming year because DSG has made the state unsafe for its participants. ​ MORE DIFFICULT TO ADOPT MATERIALS THAN TO START FROM SCRATCH Duval County school board recently convened to decide whether to adopt inclusive supplemental sex ed materials, but district leaders decided that it is easier to abide by all the mandates of the new law if the district creates their own instead. This is surprising given the immense time and capacity it takes to do so. Duval school district decides to write its own material for sex-education supplement [DUVAL] ​ STOKING FEAR AMONG STUDENTS Critics say new school policies in Florida ostracize LGBTQ students UNCERTAINTY AMONG TEACHERS With Their Licenses in Jeopardy, Florida Teachers Unsure How the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law Will Be Applied OVER-IMPLEMENTATION Florida state board approves strict implementation of anti-LGBTQ laws . Florida school board sets rules for HB 7 and HB 1557 far more strict than what the law mandates, such as restrictions around bathroom and facilities use. EXACERBATING THE TEACHER SHORTAGE Fla. to strip licenses of K-3 teachers who discuss gender identity, sexuality ​ BLUEPRINT CREATED Members of Congress introduced a bill, closely modeled after FL's Don't Say Gay, after it saw success in numerous states. FL state leaders have now created a blueprint for conservative leaders nationally to pass harmful legislation. A national ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law? Republicans introduce bill to restrict LGBTQ-related programs March 2022 NCLR, EQFL, students sue the state ​ July 2022 Parents, students, advocacy groups sue four Florida school boards August 2022 Parents, students request preliminary injunction in case against DSG ​ September 2022 Duval County School Board asks judge to allow so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law ​ October 2022 Judge Winsor dismisses case (Kaplan) Opponents try again to block Florida's law that restricts instruction on LGBTQ-related issues ​ Father sues Florida school district over LGBTQ pride flags in classroom ​ November 2022 Florida parents, teachers refile lawsuit over ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law (Kaplan) HB 1557: Don't Say Gay HB 7 "Stop WOKE" Act Bill Text Consequences Lawsuits Final version signed by Governor DeSantis on March 22, 2022 CONFUSION, CHAOS OVER TEXTBOOK ADOPTION Florida Rejects Math Textbooks, Citing ‘Prohibited Topics’ ​ CONFUSION, CHAOS OVER TEXTBOOK ADOPTION Florida reintroduces math textbooks scrubbed of ‘woke’ content ​ SEVERE LIMITS ON SOCIAL STUDIES TEXTBOOKS Florida Is Placing Limits on Social Studies Textbooks. Here’s What Has to Go (see also: Florida’s focus on math textbooks may be nothing compared to what’s next ) ​ LIMITED IMPACT ON CHARTER SCHOOLS Many, but not all, of the provisions in the new Florida laws pertain to activities at the school board level and other statutes that do not pertain to charter schools. Florida charter schools mostly exempt from 2022 education laws. Here’s why. ​ EXACERBATING TEACHER SHORTAGES The national teacher shortage is growing. In Florida, controversial laws are making it worse. ​ DRIVING PROPAGANDA HB 7 helped lay the foundation for a coordinated effort from DeSantis to rewrite history and how it's taught in FL public schools. New Civics Initiative Involved Teaching Kids Slavery In America Wasn't that Bad. ​ TEACHERS UNDER A MICROSCOPE Teachers across the state feel anxious , worried about bill's impacts on the way they can teach, whether they may be sued. ​ UNIVERSITY FUNDING HANGS IN THE BALANCE University professors have had to rework their syllabi for the coming academic year to meet the demands of HB 7, for fear of funding, firing. ​ TEACHERS POLICING TEACHERS Florida teacher says he quit after the staff removed photos of Black leaders ​ POLICING BLACK EDUCATORS IN SCHOOLS Educators are under increased scrutiny, even from other teachers, about the content they have in their classrooms, the people about whom they teach, and the ways they communicate to students. Anything having to do with Black leaders, history is seen as CRT. Florida teacher quits after staff removed posters of Black leaders ​ FURTHER EVIDENCE: TEACHERS CONFUSED, SCHOOLS LEFT TO NAVIGATE VAGUE AND CONFLICTING RULES Back to School in DeSantis’s Florida, as Teachers Look Over Their Shoulders April 2022 Minutes after bill is signed, lawsuit filed against DeSantis for 'Stop WOKE Act' ​ May 2022 SPLC files amicus brief in Falls v. DeSantis, on behalf of Freedom to Read and Learning for Justice, detailing impact on teachers and educator workforce ​ June 2022 With ‘Stop W.O.K.E. Act’ imminent, judge denies request to halt law ​ July 2022 UCF professor, 3 others can pursue lawsuit against ‘Stop WOKE Act’ ​ August 2022 Florida Judge grants preliminary injunction on HB 7 with respect to workplace trainings ​ ACLU files lawsuit challenging HB 7 HB 7: Stop WOKE HB 1467 K-12 Education Bill Text Consequences Lawsuits Final version signed by Governor DeSantis on March 25, 2022 LIMITS, BURDENS AROUND READING AND MATERIALS [Sarasota] Teachers in Sarasota County told they must provide alternative materials for every subject upon request, must clear all materials with school ahead of start of school year, cannot do read-alouds with young students in school library ​ PARENTS, NOT MEDIA EXPERTS, DECIDE MATERIALS FL DOE issues a memo calling for parents to join a work group to develop training for school media specialists. https://twitter.com/libraryofquirky/status/1561334111586885633?s=20&t=v6ciaBczEByPiZTKjZdfhw ​ NO NEW MATERIALS WHILE GUIDANCE IS CREATED Florida Schools Freeze Book Donations, Purchases In Wake Of Censoring Law ​ FOUNDATIONAL MATERIALS SUBJECT TO SCRUTINY Florida school district rejects dictionary donations amid new book law ​ CENSORING Florida schools add warning labels to books deemed potentially inappropriate for students ​ TEACHERS SHORTAGES GREATEST IN ELA Report from FL DOE outlines which subjects (by district and overall) have the greatest teacher shortages, and English/Language Arts has is in the greatest needed ​ NEW LAW UNNECESSARY Materials review committee made up of educators and community members, as mandated by HB 1467, ruled unanimously that 4 books removed last year ought to be reinstated to the schools' libraries. This new process takes the place of the district's old process by which parents could protest the use of a material in a school (pre-HB 1467). According to the superintendent, not one person ever used that process to protest books (the need to file formal complaints against schools over materials was the driving push behind the new law). School Board Overrules Local Leaders' Ban on Four Books [OSCEOLA] ​ SEVERE UPTICK IN NUMBER OF BANNED BOOKS, COMPLAINTS FROM PARENTS The majority of banned books are the result of complaints filed by organized parent groups such as Moms for Liberty and nearly 100% are filed under complaints of pornography. But a recent PEN America report shows only 22% of banned books in Florida schools contain sexual content. ​ SEVERE UPTICK IN NUMBER OF BANNED BOOKS DCPS leads state in requests to ban books, report shows [DUVAL] None as of October 1, 2022 HB 1467: K-12 Education

The Movement Playbook provides messaging, a glossary of commonly used terms, resources for talking with potential voters, and other tips to guide planning before, during and after elections. Whether your group is big or small, this playbook outlines all the essential information needed to elect all-star school board representatives. Click for Interactive Course Download Playbook PDF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2023 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org The Campaign for Our Shared Future Calls for Bipartisan Commitment to Child-Centered Education Anti-equity extremists got schooled by leaders committed to helping all students succeed Washington, D.C. - Today, the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) Executive Director, Heather Harding, Ed.D. released the following statement calling for a bipartisan commitment to strengthening our public schools and condemning efforts to politicize our children's classrooms: “Last night, the president reminded us that we became the best-educated, best-prepared nation in the world when we made 12 years of public education universal. Yet, across the country there has been a deeply concerning rise in politically-charged culture wars being channeled through our nation’s public schools. Opportunistic politicians are taking advantage of families’ frustrations coming out of the pandemic to push their extremist agendas into our childrens’ classrooms. Arkansas Governor Sanders called education the “civil rights issue of our time” — which is why we need all elected officials focused on the real needs of our students and families. “Our education system was designed and must be maintained to fundamentally meet the needs of kids, parents, and educators on a local level. Last night, we heard why these individual education decisions shouldn’t be determined by politicians in Washington or state capitals, but instead by the parents and teachers who are working together in the best interest of our students. “The goal of these political extremists is to undermine trust in public education, and eventually, our democracy. We must not allow them to overwhelm our teachers and families. Our leaders must recommit themselves to protecting the partnership between parents and teachers in order to give our children the tools they need to succeed.” ​ ### 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 23, 2023 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org The Campaign for Our Shared Future Calls on Families to Fight Against Record Number of Attempted Book Bans Washington, D.C. - Today, the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) Executive Director, Heather Harding, Ed.D., released the following statement in response to an American Library Association (ALA) report that found a record number of attempts to ban books in 2022: “From classrooms to school libraries, students across the country are facing empty bookshelves. Extremist groups continue to appoint themselves judge and jury on what’s appropriate for everyone else’s children and are willing to send educators to jail who defy them. Unfortunately, today’s report from the American Library Association demonstrates how quickly this problem is spreading. “These attempted bans stir up controversy and distract from the very real issues our students face. Instead of tackling learning loss or mental health issues, our educators and school boards must combat misinformation and political posturing to protect our students' ability to read about heroes like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr . “What’s especially disturbing about today’s report is that these are attempted book bans that are reported by the media or library professionals, which means the total number of bans is likely much higher than any organization has captured so far. “We must not let these censorship efforts take away our children's chance to read about our history and how we can achieve America’s greatness. Parents and students need to work with school officials to push back on these attempted bans and keep this political theater out of our classrooms and libraries.” ​ ### 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.

The Threat to Our Children Education in America is under attack. Parents are feeling exhausted and voiceless. Teachers are leaving the profession in droves. And students have been left out of the conversation entirely. ​ Politicians are playing games with our schools. They are using parents’ concerns to create chaos. Radicals are doing things that we don’t usually see in this country They are looting libraries They are dumbing down established teaching practices They are suing schools They are demanding approval of teacher lesson plans They are literally burning books Radical politicians have used this frenzy to pass laws that are anti-student and anti-learning. These policies claim to protect students and give voice to parents. But instead, they erase history and limit independent thought. How We Will Win COSF works in key states under the biggest threat from radical anti-student policies. We stop the spread of disinformation and change the conversation. Students and families are at the core of our work. COSF is creating space for them to become the leading voices in this fight. We know what is possible when they have a voice and when communities come together in support of children’s learning. United, we will form stronger partnerships in school communities. We will also remove politics from our classrooms and protect learning. From this foundation, we can build great schools that respond to children’s needs and teach necessary age-appropriate content. Who We Are 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. We are a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country. We strive to build a diverse ideological coalition that equally involves policymakers, business leaders, school leaders, teachers, parents, and most importantly children. ​ There are more of us than there are of them, and we care more about our children thriving than about ideological throwdowns. Our power and purpose lie in our ability to stand together. We Are Parents Students Teachers We Believe In Right to Learn Open Dialogue Honest Conversation How can we make sure that our children get what they need in school? High Quality Lessons We need to teach kids the truth. That begins with accurate and age-appropriate history lessons. Also, let’s make it clear that children are not to blame for the mistakes of the past. But when they know where we came from and where we're going as a country, we are all better off. There should be no room for intolerance in our classrooms. Learning to think for yourself goes along with respecting others. That is how we make moral progress as individuals and as a country. Respectful Engagement Partner With Parents Schools should prepare children to be successful and responsible adults. But parents still know their children best. A well-rounded education comes from parents and teachers working together as true partners.