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< Back 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 Key questions 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? Previous Next

< Back Public Narrative and Story of Self Training Download the training Previous Next

< Back Superintendents Training: COSF Reflection Background As school and district leaders, superintendents are facing challenges daily as they navigate how race and gender shape the individual and collective identities of their students, school communities and society. They are being asked to speak on divisive topics of vital importance to deeply invested audiences. One way or another, the culture wars have affected their work: Some are focused on building community and dialogue to avoid the potential conflicts that are happening in so many places. Others are in the middle of crisis, seeking ways to decrease tensions, continue diversity initiatives, and find a productive path forward. And others may be on the other side of the most intense clashes and working to rebuild trust and understanding in their school communities. Challenge Superintendents are seeking ways to better understand the concerns of their community members, keep the doors of civil and productive dialogue open, and articulate their decisions and values to the school community. Despite the conflict and confrontation, they are committed to preserving the crucial institution of public education, and upholding their charge to provide safe schools and high quality learning for all their students. However, it can be hard to know what to say, what to do, and what information to trust. Approach COSF’s resources were designed to help superintendents navigate complicated circumstances in their school communities in a way that will help them stay the course, engage community members in brave and honest conversation, and articulate the purpose, reasoning and values that drive their decisions. COSF updated the resources regularly to reflect up-to-date research and public understanding. At the center of COSF’s support of superintendents was a partnership with Leading Now , which supports superintendents and system leaders in navigating political complexity. COSF facilitated regular sessions on crisis response as well as policy landscape analysis and messaging training. COSF also developed the seminal Education Leaders Toolkit to serve as a central resource for school leaders. The toolkit features three main sections: For Leaders Trying to Prevent a Crisis : Suggested proactive talking points and framing to discuss curricular, professional development, instructional, and school culture priorities in ways intended to help build understanding and agreement For Leaders In the Middle of a Crisis : Strategies for engaging in tough conversations, ways to de-escalate heated conversations, and things to avoid doing in tough situations, all intended to keep the focus on principles, not personalities or politics For All Leaders : The issues currently under attack—inclusive curricular materials, diverse books, social emotional learning, and supports for students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities—are all related in some way to “Whole Child” approaches to education and the idea of providing “Windows and Mirrors'' for all students. This section provides a high-level look at why these concepts matter for public education, and it links to evidence of the benefits of student-centered education for personal and academic success COSF also launched the Let Students Learn pledge in partnership with school board members in Los Angeles and Montgomery Counties. Signatories—primarily school board members and superintendents—committed to teaching the complete and accurate story of America and its diverse democracy in our schools by using age-appropriate materials. Additionally, they pledged to avoid working with publishers that eliminate meaningful content in response to political pressures. Results COSF quickly established itself as a go-to resource for school leaders around the country. Through Leading Now and similar programs, we have provided training and counsel to more than 400 superintendents to help them avoid and de-escalate crises while doing the equity work that students need and deserve. The Let Students Learn Pledge gained hundreds of signatures from officials in 27 different states. Highlights of counsel we provided In West Virginia, we helped organize the opposition to SB 704. The bill would create "transparency" provisions for parents to be able to access curriculum, a system by which parents can bring complaints regarding ostensibly offensive curriculum to their county superintendent, and allow for them to appeal an adverse decision to their state superintendent of schools. COSF worked with superintendents to draft and submit public comment on the bill and draw attention to its dangers. In Connecticut, QAnon whipped its acolytes into a frenzy over a school nurse who was suspended for making transphobic posts and disclosing private medical information about an 11 year old child on social media. This led to death threats against the school district employees and some tough press moments. COSF was asked to quietly help the superintendent organize a show of parent support for her leadership at the next school board meeting. We also media-trained her team, revised her talking points, and helped change the narrative in the press to emphasize the danger of allowing extremists to overrun school districts. Previous Next

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< 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 Re: The Dangerous Consequences of House Bill 454 November 16, 2022 THE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF HOUSE BILL 454 Testimony by Campaign for Our Shared Future November 16, 2022 Chair Manchester, Vice-Chair Cutrona, Ranking Member Denson, and members of the House Families, Aging, and Human Services Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF). COSF is committed to stopping dangerous policies that threaten children’s freedom to learn, which is why we strongly urge you to oppose H.B. 454. We believe this dangerous proposal would not only restrict transgender young people’s access to compassionate and fact-based health care but also further deprive them of educational access. Transgender kids deserve an opportunity to succeed like every other student, yet schools are not often safe learning environments for them. A Trevor Project survey from 2021 found that 52% of transgender middle or high schools reported being bullied either in person or electronically in the previous year. An earlier survey conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality focusing on young Ohioans found that 80% of those who were out or perceived as transgender experienced some form of mistreatment, with 57% experiencing verbal harassment, 27% experiencing physical attacks, and 15% experiencing sexual assaults at some point between kindergarten and twelfth grade. The same survey found that 20% of these young people who faced severe mistreatment were forced to leave school. Think about the impact of a child forced to leave school due to mistreatment because of who they are. That is devastating for a student individually, as well as for their future as an Ohioan. If they recover from this mistreatment, will they stay in Ohio? Or will they leave the state and take their talents elsewhere? In addition, H.B. 454 does nothing to address the real problems that make Ohio schools unsafe for a share of children. Instead, this proposal—which requires the outing of young people’s identities to parents on top of taking away their access to gender-affirming care—stands to exacerbate discrimination and bullying. In fact, a study by researchers at Cornell University found that the mere consideration of discriminatory policies creates an unwelcoming climate for LGBTQ+ people by normalizing differential treatment and furthering poor mental health, internalized stigma, and expectations for adverse treatment. And that’s not all. H.B. 454 requires that schools violate a student’s privacy rights by outing their gender identity, which could put them at higher risk of rejection, violence from parents, depression, suicide, and homelessness. In fact, seven in 10 trans and nonbinary youth do not feel safe being themselves at home and around family members, according to a study by the Human Rights Campaign. And 85% of transgender adolescents reported seriously considering suicide in a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Given how high the stakes are, why should the state play a role in determining when a young person comes out to their family? Another consequence of requiring trusted nurses, counselors, teachers, principals, and school staff to report on a student’s gender identity, is that transgender students will be less inclined to report harassment and mental health needs to these educators and staff. Making matters worse, the bill’s provision on staff reporting is exceedingly vague and does not expressly require that educators, counselors, and nurses report only on a student’s own, first-hand accounts of their gender identity. Faced with confusion around reporting, school staff may rely on overbroad stereotypes about transgender youth and determine who to report by scrutinizing a young person’s clothing, body, or behavior. This would put any student who does not conform to society’s expectations of gender in harm’s way. In other words, H.B. 454 would hurt all children and require that they hide who they are in school. All Ohio students deserve the protections afforded to them by federal law. Nearly 50 years ago, Congress enacted Title IX to prohibit all forms of sex discrimination in education programs and activities. The Biden-Harris administration made clear that it intends to enforce Title IX's prohibition on discrimination on the basis of sex to include discrimination based on sexual orientation and discrimination based on gender identity consistent with the Supreme Court’s holding in Bostock v. Clayton County , Georgia . The U.S. Department of Education has also clarified that the Title IX rule is essential to protecting LGBTQ+ students’ equal access to educational programs and activities. However, COSF believes Ohio schools should go far beyond complying with federal law and implement LGBTQ+ inclusive policies that have been shown to benefit all students. LGBTQ+ students with supportive educators in their lives report higher levels of self-esteem, lower levels of depression, and a lower likelihood of having seriously considered suicide in the past year. Parents know—and research affirms—that a sense of safety and belonging is required for any child to learn. H.B. 454 would discourage and prevent schools from implementing research-backed best practices. Like all students, students who are transgender deserve educational opportunities that are free from discrimination and prepare them for their futures. We urge you to vote no on H.B. 454. Previous Next

< Back Increasing Voter Turnout Talk Through Text Voters will pay attention to the little buzz in their pockets or purse, therefore, making texting a powerful way to drive voters to the polls. Users of Outvote , a mobile app that helps you text personal contacts reminders to vote, had an 8 percentage point effect on getting their friends to cast ballots in the 2018 midterm elections. Are you thinking of using texting to help increase voter turnout? Here are a few tips to keep in mind: Build your text list by requesting mobile numbers at voter registration drives Texting had the biggest impact on the turnout of voters ages 30 to 44 Only the more personal approaches substantially increase voter turnout The Key To Knocking On Doors Team up with local organizations, such as community groups and churches for a people-powered grassroots movement. Door-knocking has traditionally been one of the most popular campaign strategies to increase voter turnout and remains a leading method in reaching out to voters. Scale Up With Social Media Fact - There are over 302 million people using social media in the U.S. As social media continues to grow in popularity among politicians using these platforms to amplify their messages, apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are ideal places to plant voter education messages to help drive turnout. Organize a Voter Registration Drive Help make an impact by registering voters. Consider using platforms, such as Rock The Vote , which will provide you with a toolkit to host virtual or in-person voter registration drives. Consider The Messenger When sending voter education messages, always consider the messenger. Deliver the message through a platform or person that people trust. For example, you can entrust the help of a local influencer that has a trusted rapport with the community; consider local leaders, a local celebrity, or a social media influencer that has a connection to the community. Previous Next

< Back Legal Guidance Whether you're a 501(c)3, a 501(c)4 or an unincorporated group from the community, it helps to know the basics. Take a look at the links below and save yourself a lot of headaches. Advocating for Policy Change Can We Say That? Commenting on Candidates and Campaigns Election Activities of Individuals Associated with 501(c)3 Organizations Maximizing Your Advocacy Guide Praising and Criticizing Incumbents Sample Election Season Policy Setting the Record Straight - Candidate Score Cards Previous Next

< Back to Newsroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2023 press@campaignsharedfuture.org Latest Blog Post on “The Unbiased Classroom” Outlines How Parents Should Get Engaged To Help Our Students Thrive Washington, DC - The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) shares insights from Kate Nazemi, the Co-Founder of Advocates for Inclusive Education on the importance of parent-teacher relationships in the latest blog post for “ The Unbiased Classroom .” Read an excerpt from: Parents Play an Important Role in Their Child’s Education As parents, we want the best for our children. We desire to see them succeed in school, identify their passions and live out their dreams. While we play an essential role in our child's education, it is important to acknowledge the vital contribution of teachers in helping our children reach their full potential. The success of our children hinges on our support. Studies show that students with involved parents are more likely to have better academic performance, better behavior, and stronger self-esteem. In a time when education seems to be under attack, the best defense is a strong and united front composed of parents and teachers working for the greater good of students. As a mother, I believe every child deserves an inclusive, meaningful education that supports their health, learning and success. And I know that the relationship between myself and my childrens’ teachers impacts how well they do in and out of the classroom. As a parent, I have seen that collaborating with teachers to provide a positive and supportive learning environment allows my girls to thrive. Teachers are an essential resource for children to gain knowledge and skills to succeed. Every parent has a dream for their children, and well-equipped schools and educators help actualize them. You can read the full post here . COSF understands that open dialogue is necessary to create real change in our education system. For that reason, COSF collects the perspectives and expertise of educators, parents, leaders and advocates to encourage respectful conversations that can produce effective solutions for the success of our children. Kate’s experience as a mother and educational advocate provides an exceptional perspective on why collaboration and teamwork is crucial to an inclusive education system and the success of all children. ### 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 Teacher Guidance Guidance for Teachers on Developing SB resolutions to combat bills (NEA) Guide: Counter-Narrating the Attacks on Critical Race Theory (Race Forward) Intellectual Freedom Resources for Educators (ALA) Tools for Teaching in a Climate of Censorship (IDRA) Teach Truth: Know Your Rights FAQ (NEA) Previous Next

< Back to Newsroom 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. Previous Next

< Back to Newsroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 2023 press@campaignsharedfuture.org School Officials Pledge Not To Use Watered Down Books and Curriculum School board members and superintendents sign the “Let Students Learn” pledge, demonstrating their commitment to stand alongside educators and families in resisting political pressures WASHINGTON, DC - With the alarming rise of classroom censorship and its impact on what students learn, the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is partnering with school officials across the country to release the " Let Students Learn " pledge. As many states push for restrictions on teaching the full and complete history of our country and discussing current events in classrooms, the need to safeguard freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas has never been more crucial. By making this pledge , school board members and superintendents are publicly denouncing publishers and curriculum companies that compromise their products under the influence of political extremists. Moreover, they are pledging their unwavering support for educators and families who tirelessly strive to provide an environment where our children can thrive and achieve success. “Extremist politicians who seek to control our children's education and restrict certain ideas or perspectives are limiting the ability of our students to engage in independent thought and to form their own opinions,” said Heather Harding, Ed.D., Executive Director of COSF . “Our kids deserve an education that helps them learn the life skills and knowledge they'll need to be successful in their future and that includes the freedom to learn about a wide range of topics in an age-appropriate way. Our students should not be used as political pawns.” "Every child deserves the freedom to learn our rich and diverse history, to explore a tapestry of stories, and to embrace one another's unique experiences. We refuse to let the disruptive voices of political extremists impede the joyful, inclusive education our children deserve,” said Kelly Gonez, Member of the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education . "Our students thrive when families and educators collaborate to deliver exceptional, age-appropriate education and vital life skills. It is through this powerful partnership that we empower our students to excel academically, develop into well-rounded individuals, and pave their path towards a successful future,” said Arica Watkins Smith, Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education . As book ban attempts reached a record high last year, it has become increasingly important to ensure that students have access to high-quality education that is free from political interference. This pledge addresses this issue and highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of K-12 education. To view a copy of the curriculum pledge, click 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