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Connect with Heather Heather Harding, Ed.D. Heather Harding, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of the Campaign for Our Shared Future. She is responsible for the overall health, sustainability, and success of COSF’s work. Throughout her career, Heather has focused on the intersection between access to high-quality education and racial equity. She believes that respectful collaboration between parents and teachers is an essential tool for helping our kids succeed in life. As a mother of two teenagers, she knows that parents play the role of a child’s first and primary teacher. Before earning master’s and doctoral degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Heather taught middle school and high school in underserved communities. Since then, her mission has been to improve education opportunities for all children, regardless of their class, color, or neighborhood. She had an opportunity to do this while serving as Teach for America’s Senior Vice President of Community Partnerships; as the founding Executive Director of EdCORE, a DC-focused education research consortium to improve outcomes for the students of the nation's capital; and in senior philanthropic leadership roles at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and most recently the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Connect with Eliza Eliza Byard, Ph.D. Eliza Byard, Ph.D., is co-founder and Senior Advisor to the Campaign for Our Shared Future. A leading global expert on LGBTQ+ issues in education, she is a strategist for movement building and mobilization at the local, national, and international level. From 2008 to 2021, Eliza was the Executive Director of GLSEN, an organization recognized worldwide as a pioneering leader in the fight for LGBTQ+ students’ well-being and access to education. During Eliza’s tenure, GLSEN’s work spurred a significant decline in anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and violence in U.S. schools, and established a new professional norm of support for LGBTQ youth among educators, school administrators, and school staff in the United States. She has served as a trusted advisor to a broad range of institutions and organizations, including the Gill Foundation, Target, Sodexo, the National Parks Service, the U.S. Department of Education, the CDC, UNESCO, and the World Bank.

< 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 to Newsroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : October 13, 2022 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org Campaign for Our Shared Future Announces a $300,000 Ad Buy In Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Missouri Washington, D.C. - The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF), a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on public education across the country, has announced a $300,000 ad buy in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Missouri, condemning divisive anti-education efforts. The Ohio ad criticizes state lawmakers’ dangerous genital inspection bill targeting youth sports . The bill would give public access to young girls’’ private parts by requiring any female student athlete to have a full external and internal genital inspection if accused or suspected of being transgender. This ad campaign launched the same week that the Ohio State Board of Education voted on a resolution that attempted to invalidate protections for LGBTQ+ children. COSF is encouraging parents to tell Ohio lawmakers to keep their hands off their children. In Pennsylvania, the ad highlights recent attacks on school libraries , which have led to one school district leading the nation with the most banned books. COSF is calling on parents to protect their children’s rights to learn about Rosa Parks, Anne Frank, and Martin Luther King Jr. The Missouri ad calls on parents to condemn hateful rhetoric used by Rockwood Missouri school board member Jessica Clark. Instead of focusing on the needs of all children, Clark mocks students with disabilities and pushes divisive issues in order to appeal to an extremist base. “Across the country, families and students are being failed by extremist politicians who care more about pushing divisive culture wars than providing a high quality age-appropriate education. Students and parents care deeply about that mission but don’t always know about what’s getting in the way or what to do about it,” says Heather Harding Ed.D., COSF executive director. “These ads will draw attention to these important issues and remind families of the consequences of allowing our children to be used as political pawns.” You can view the Ohio ads here and here , the Pennsylvania ad here , and the Missouri ad 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

Newsroom Bios Fact Sheet Press Contact Blog For Immediate Release November 9, 2023 On Tuesday, Voters Rejected Moms for Liberty and Its Agenda of Cruelty and Hate Learn more November 8, 2023 The Campaign for Our Shared Future Calls the 2023 Elections a Triumph for Students: Elections Send a Clear Message for Education Democracy Learn more October 24, 2023 COSF Executive Director Shares What Toni Morrison Teaches Us About School Board Races Learn more October 2, 2023 Campaign for Our Shared Future Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting Students Right to Read During Banned Books Month Learn more 1 2 3 ... 10 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 10 In the News November 27, 2023 Why Banning Books is Hurting Our Democracy with Heather Harding November 9, 2023 Moms for Liberty and the ‘parental rights’ agenda flopped in this week’s elections November 8, 2023 In School Board Elections, Parental Rights Movement Is Dealt Setbacks November 5, 2023 Virginia school board elections face a pivotal moment as a cozy corner of democracy turns toxic 1 2 3 ... 13 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ... 13 Public Comment Ohio June 5, 2023 SENATE BILL 117 IS WRONG FOR OHIO Read more Ohio May 15, 2023 VOTE NO ON HOUSE BILL 103 in Ohio Read more Federal May 15, 2023 Public comment on U.S. Department of Education's proposed Title IX rule on sex-related eligibility criteria for athletic teams Read more Ohio May 8, 2023 NO TO HOUSE BILL 8 in Ohio! Read more 1 2 3 1 ... 1 2 3 ... 3

< Back to Newsroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 10, 2023 press@campaignsharedfuture.org Campaign for Our Shared Future Launches "The Unbiased Classroom" Blog "The Unbiased Classroom" is a resource that aims to shed light on the effects of politics entering the education system and how it’s hurting all of our children WASHINGTON, DC - The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is excited to announce the launch of its blog, " The Unbiased Classroom " which serves as a space for open dialogue and respectful discussions on today's challenging topics. By leveraging the expertise and perspectives of guest authors, including educators, parents, leaders, and other passionate advocates, this blog will delve into preserving the integrity of our educational system. "Education is the cornerstone of our society, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child has access to a high-quality and inclusive learning environment. 'The Unbiased Classroom' serves as a powerful platform for fostering dialogue, challenging existing norms, and working towards a future where equity and excellence are not mere aspirations, but fundamental principles guiding our educational system,” said Heather Harding, Ed.D, Executive Director of COSF. COSF recognizes the value of open dialogue and respectful discussions, especially on the most pressing issues of our time. "The Unbiased Classroom" is specifically designed to foster such conversations, enabling everyone from educators to politicians to seek common ground and work together towards effective solutions that prioritize the well-being and success of our children. COSF is pleased that its inaugural guest author is Willie Carver, Jr a former Kentucky Teacher of the Year and author who was forced to resign due to the relentless harassment he endured, as well as the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination on his teaching and the overall school environment. Read an excerpt from States Across America Just Handed their Curriculum to Extremists : Education has always dealt with the political reality of racism and homophobia, but, as multiple recent reports show, those issues are worsening in public schools–and our communities are feeling the aftershock. Schools are erasing LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices in order to avoid controversy and legal repercussions at a time when students in those communities need to feel inclusion and belonging for their wellbeing . I saw this erasure play out often in my former school district, Montgomery County Schools in Mount Sterling, KY. As a member of the English Department, I worked with my colleagues to select age-appropriate texts. One of those books was the award-winning The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Just one parent called and complained. It was banned the next day. At the time, our superintendent broke school policy in banning the book in one day without a process . Now, lack of process has become standard practice. You can read the full post here . Willie's powerful personal experience underscores the urgent need for inclusivity and tolerance within our educational institutions. Through his courageous story, "The Unbiased Classroom" aims to shed light on the challenges faced by educators and students alike, with the ultimate goal of effecting positive change. ### 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 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: 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

Re: Revision of the History and Social Science Standards of Learning Dear Virginia Board of Education, Our goal at Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is to ensure all children have an opportunity to learn from the past and prepare for their future. We know this goal requires high-quality history and social studies standards, especially amid efforts by radical politicians to censor what kids learn in Virginia and across the country. Unfortunately, we share the concern that Virginia’s revision process was seized by political games at the expense of our kids. The decision to sidestep the initial draft of Standards (August 2022) developed over a transparent, two-year process silences the voices of hundreds of stakeholders, including students, teachers, historians, families, and some of the world’s leading history organizations. The resulting Standards (November 2022) aimed to score political points by watering down African American history and even erasing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from the early grades. It’s un-American to downplay the impact of those who pushed to change our country to be better. We can all agree that learning about our heroes sets a great example for all of our children. While we commend the Board’s improvements, the latest Standards (January 2023) still contain errors, omissions, and sequencing problems. Below are the objections raised by stakeholders with which COSF agrees. We urge you to address these concerns with adequate input from subject-matter experts across Virginia. Doubling down on the fictional narrative that teachers are forcing White children to feel guilty for the consequences of American slavery (page 8 - 9). Marginalizing the history and contributions of Indigenous Peoples, including by omitting Indigenous Peoples’ Day and teaching students that our history begins when European explorers arrived on the continent. Providing superficial coverage of Black history and sidestepping the African American History Education Committee’s recommendations (e.g., not acknowledging the resistance of most white Southerners to Reconstruction, omitting the term “hate groups”). Providing superficial coverage of the history and modern-day culture of the Latino/a/x community, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the LGBTQ+ community. Focusing on teaching students what to think, not how to think. Introducing disruptive sequence changes that could cause significant upheaval for school staffing, student scheduling, and state assessments. While COSF is disappointed in the revision process and resulting language, we will continue to monitor the development, implementation, and impact of the Standards on the availability of true and complete history education for all children in the Commonwealth. It is also our sincere hope that the Board will restore its own time-honored approval processes and prioritize transparency and stakeholder engagement in adopting the revised Standards. Important work remains to realize Governor Youngkin’s mission “to teach our history, the good and the bad.” The stakes are high: Watering down history ensures that our children are unprepared to think critically and independently–and to face the real world.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 1, 2022 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org The Campaign for Our Shared Future’s Statement Following Roundtable Discussion in Ohio on Midterm Elections Impact on Public Education Cleveland, OH - Today, the Campaign for Our Shared Future’s Executive Director Heather Harding participated in a roundtable discussion with Ohio education leaders and students on the impact of the midterm elections on public education. She released the following statement: “In Ohio and across the country, self-serving politicians are using our children’s education as a political wedge in order to push their extremist agendas. Through book-banning, classroom censorship, and attacks on our most vulnerable children, political opportunists have been working to dismantle our public schools. Today in Ohio, we had an encouraging and productive discussion about the urgent need to elect officials who will put our children first. “Next week’s elections will have an enormous impact on the future of public education in Ohio. Already, students, families, and teachers are working together to overcome challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic while also navigating unprecedented rates of mental health crises, school funding issues, and teacher shortages. But they need support at every level of government. “It’s important to look at every single election and evaluate whether those candidates would work for our children. Ohio has to elect four members of the State School Board next week. That will set the tone for the school board races in communities all over the state next year. These elections receive the least attention, but they hit closest to home. “Extremists and political opportunists have their sights set on disrupting school boards and destroying everything that works in our schools. Instead of teaching our complete and true history, they want to ban books. Instead of supporting successful programs like social emotional learning, they want to vilify trusted teachers. And instead of championing mental health resources that educate the whole student, they want to attack vulnerable children. These people only want power, and they don’t care that our children’s futures are caught in their games. “We are at a crucial moment when we can either decide to elect leaders who will invest in our children and our communities, or radical politicians who will lean into culture wars in an attempt to distract and divide us. I hope that voters will make the right choices this month.” ​ ###

For Immediate Release: October 13, 2022 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org Campaign for Our Shared Future anuncia una compra de anuncios de $300,000 en Ohio, Pensilvania y Missouri Washington, D.C. – The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF), un esfuerzo común comprometido a luchar contra el ataque a la educación pública en todo el país, anunció una compra de anuncios de $300,000 en Ohio, Pennsylvania y Missouri, condenando los esfuerzos divisivos contra la educación. El anuncio de Ohio critica la peligrosa legislación de inspección genital de los legisladores estatales que apunta a los deportes juveniles . La legislación daría acceso público a las partes privadas de las niñas al exigir que cualquier estudiante atleta se someta a una inspección genital externa e interna completa si es acusada o sospechosa de ser transgénero. Esta campaña publicitaria se lanzó la misma semana en que la Junta de Educación del Estado de Ohio votó una resolución que intentaba invalidar las protecciones para los niños LGBTQ+. COSF alienta a los padres a decirles a los legisladores de Ohio que mantengan sus manos alejadas de sus hijos. En Pensilvania, el anuncio destaca los ataques recientes a las bibliotecas escolares , que han llevado a un distrito escolar a liderar la nación con la mayor cantidad de libros prohibidos. COSF está pidiendo a los padres que protejan los derechos de sus hijos para aprender sobre líderes como Rosa Parks, Anne Frank y Martin Luther King Jr. El anuncio de Missouri llama a los padres a condenar la retórica de odio utilizada por Jessica Clark, miembro de la junta escolar de Rockwood Missouri. En lugar de centrarse en las necesidades de todos los niños, Clark se burla de los estudiantes con discapacidades y promueve temas divisivos para atraer a una base extremista. “En todo el país, los políticos extremistas les están fallando a las familias y los estudiantes, a quienes les importa más promover guerras culturales divisivas que brindar una educación de alta calidad apropiada para la edad. Los estudiantes y los padres se preocupan profundamente por esa misión, pero no siempre saben qué se interpone en el camino o qué hacer al respecto”, dice Heather Harding Ed.D., directora ejecutiva de COSF. “Estos anuncios llamarán la atención sobre estos temas importantes y recordarán a las familias las consecuencias de permitir que nuestros hijos sean utilizados como peones políticos”. Puedes ver los anuncios de Ohio aquí y aquí , el anuncio de Pensilvania aquí y el anuncio de Missouri aquí . ### La Campaña por Nuestro Futuro Compartido (COSF) es un esfuerzo no partidista para apoyar la educación K-12 de alta calidad y preservar el acceso, la inclusión y el contenido significativo en nuestras escuelas para que cada estudiante tenga la oportunidad de tener éxito y prosperar. COSF es un esfuerzo común comprometido a luchar contra el ataque a la educación en todo el país.

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The Facts What is the role of civics? What is social-emotional learing? Is transparency in schools a good thing? Learn more about what people are talking about The Facts Is transparency in schools a good thing? Yes! Parents have a right to know what their children are learning - no really, they already have that right. Federal law already requires schools to provide easily understandable data about student, school, and district academic performance and well-being. Legislation framed as a “need for transparency” is being pushed by radical politicians who want to drive a wedge between teachers and parents. They see this as an opportunity to insert their extremist agenda and culture wars into our classrooms. Is transparency in schools a good thing? What is social-emotional learning? Social-emotional learning teaches students the essential communication, decision-making, and self-discipline skills to build their confidence and succeed in the real world. By creating a positive learning environment where students learn how to focus and be productive, schools provide kids with the social skills they need to thrive. This approach has proven to increase academic performance and improve classroom behavior. ​ Students need to learn the fundamentals like reading and math, but we don't need to choose between academics and essential social-emotional skills. In fact, independent studies have found that kids who learn social and emotional skills at school do better academically than students who don’t. What is social-emotional learing? What is the role of civics? The role of civics is to teach students about how the government functions and the important role they play in that process. Our constitutional democracy requires informed civic participants, but for decades we have failed to prepare young Americans. We must ensure that all students learn the complete and accurate teaching of United States history. Teaching civics is important to the health of our democracy and the trust that citizens have in democratic institutions. What is the role of civics?