70 years of Brown v. Board of Education
Showcasing efforts toward a future where education is truly "available to all on equal terms."
As we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, it's crucial to highlight the ongoing efforts of organizations providing issue education and leadership in advancing public school access and educational opportunity. These organizations are tirelessly working to dismantle barriers and ensure that every child has access to a quality education, regardless of their home address.
In their report, "The Broken Promise of Brown v. Board," Available to All highlights the persistent issues of educational segregation and inequality. They draw attention to the modern-day educational redlining that mirrors historical practices, and advocate for policy reforms to eliminate geographic discrimination in school assignments. Their commitment to enforcing existing laws and removing loopholes in open enrollment laws is a crucial step towards making public schools truly open to all students. Read more here.
In a compelling piece in USA Today, Available to All President, Tim DeRoche, writes “"Seven decades after Brown, low-income children— many of them children of color—are still systematically excluded from the very best public schools.” The article calls for a renewed commitment to the principles of Brown v. Board and presents a call to action to ensure educational equity for all children. Read the full article here.
The "No More Lines" initiative by Yes. Every Kid. is a groundbreaking effort to eliminate discriminatory public school district boundaries by 2030. Their report "No More Lines: Opening Public Schools to All Families by 2030" proposes policy changes to eliminate school attendance boundaries by 2030, arguing that residential-based school assignments are outdated and discriminatory. It advocates for prohibiting address discrimination, decriminalizing address sharing, and creating mandatory open enrollment policies. The report provides a 50-state scan of barriers to equal access and emphasizes that opening school boundaries is widely supported by the public. Learn more about their initiative here
Denisha Allen, founder of Black Minds Matter and the Black School Founders Network focuses on addressing educational inequities and segregation in schools and supports a robust network of black school founders creating bespoke education models for black students. Black Minds Matter aims to empower Black families by promoting education freedom, ensuring that all children have access to quality education regardless of their ZIP code and by supporting black school founders working to create new education opportunities for their students. In a recent Stand Together feature article, Denisha highlights the persistent issue of school segregation and offers solutions for educational equity. She critiques the current system where students are segregated by ZIP code, advocating instead for giving parents control over their children's education funding to choose the best schools for their needs. For more insights, read the full article here.
Together, these organizations (among many others) are making significant strides in the fight to make public schools in the words of the landmark Brown v. Board ruling, “available to all on equal terms.” Their work underscores the importance of dismantling systemic barriers and creating a future where every child has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of where they live. Stand Together Trust remains committed to championing policies and practices that promote equal access to quality education for all.