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Center
for Anti-Oppressive Education
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"REFRAMING the Debate, RECLAIMING Public Education"
Throughout the United States, the political "Right" (broadly defined as the conservative movement) has gained much ground in its attempt to dismantle public education. A primary reason for its success? Its strategic use of rhetoric. As I describe in my book, The Seduction of Common Sense: How the Right Has Framed the Debate on America's Schools, the Right is succeeding in winning the debate about the purposes and possibilities of education because it uses particular "frames"--namely, appeals to conservative notions of the traditional family, free enterprise, goodness, and fear--to shape the public's common-sense ideas about schooling. In fact, the Right is so successful at framing the debate that even the political Left (the liberal or progressive movement) struggles to think outside the box and offer viable alternatives. To reclaim public schools and ensure equity and justice for all of our nation's youth, we must reframe the debate on education. Many educators and scholars within higher education have offered powerful ways to critique current "reforms" and to imagine alternative policies and practices for our nation's public schools. But too often, such arguments remain within the ivory towers of higher education, or only occasionally break out. To broaden the public conversation about education, and to reframe the debate, we all (including those of us in higher education) must do more to engage the public in a committed, coordinated, ongoing way. The start of 2009 brings at least two pivotal events: the inauguration of a new U.S. president, and the reignition of efforts within Congress to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (and in the process, to change "No Child Left Behind"). Already, there is reason to be concerned: In mid-December 2008, Obama selected Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, to be the next Secretary of Education--a selection that is problematic for a number of reasons. (Click here for a critique of Obama's selection of Duncan.) The time is NOW to raise the public's awareness, reframe the debate, and build a broader and stronger movement to reclaim public education. What: The REFRAMING the Debate, RECLAIMING Public Education Initiative seeks to amplify the voices of anti-oppressive educators and advocates in various mass media, particularly local and national newspapers. Why newspapers? Unlike academic journals that target higher education, newspapers are read by a large segment of the general population. When: The spring of 2009 is particularly important as the new president begins his term and sets the tone and priorities for his administration--what historians often look to as the "first 100 days." The spring of 2009 is also when NCLB will likely be discussed with renewed energy. Therefore, the REFRAMING Initiative strives to amplify our voices in the first four months of 2009, especially January 20th (Inauguration Day) through May 5th (National Teachers Day). Who & Why: Although the media has historically privileged the voices of the societal elite, newspaper editors have designated a section of the newspaper--the "commentary" section--to include divergent opinions, including ours. Where & How: The REFRAMING Initiative calls on anti-oppressive educators, scholars, and advocates to write articles for local and national newspapers throughout the United States. If anti-oppressive voices are echoed throughout the country, we can change how the American public thinks and talks about education reform. And, if a critical mass of us are speaking out over the next four months, we can build a movement that will have immeasurable impact.
For tips on writing articles for newspapers, including information on various types of articles, sample articles, and a six-point writing plan, please click here. The Center for Anti-Oppressive Education is interested in archiving copies of the articles written for this initiative. Please send a copy of your printed article (or a weblink, if published online) to: Center for Anti-Oppressive Education To support and acknowledge the hard work of those who publish, the Center will select up to 25 outstanding articles (as determined by the Center staff), and will award the authors with a complimentary copy of The Seduction of Common Sense. To be eligible for the award: (a) the article must be published between January 1 and May 5, 2009 in any national, state, or local newspaper or newsmagazine in the United States; (b) the author must be on the e-mail announcement list of CAOE; and (c) a copy of the article must be received by CAOE by May 5th, 2009, along with the author's complete contact information. Authors may submit more than one publication. Submissions will not be returned; awardees will be notified soon after the deadline.
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