ABOUT Reclaim Our School SPG
We are students, families, educators, school staff, and community members—united in our belief that public education is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of a just and democratic society. Our collective mission is rooted in the conviction that every child deserves access to a well-resourced, equitable, and community-driven public school. These shared principles define our vision of what public education should be, especially in contrast to privatized, corporate-led models of reform. In this moment of national urgency, we reaffirm our dedication to reclaiming public schools as inclusive, empowering spaces for all.
Public Schools Serve the Public
School systems must be accountable to their communities, ensuring all children have access to strong public schools in their neighborhoods. Unlike corporate reform efforts that prioritize competition, privatization, and exclusion, we believe in collaboration over competition. Strategies that turn schools into for-profit ventures or silence local voices harm students—especially those who are most vulnerable. We reject this approach.
Community Voices Must Lead Education
Education policy and decisions must be shaped by those who are closest to our schools: teachers, students, parents, and community members. External forces such as private companies, philanthropists, and distant administrators should not drive school reform. Top-down decisions often fail to meet real student and school needs.
Public Schools Are The Heart of Thriving Communities
Beyond academics, schools provide essential social and emotional support for children and their families. While education alone won't solve poverty, public schools can serve as community hubs that connect students to health, housing, and nutritional resources. Reforms that isolate schools from their communities overlook this role.
Assessments Should Guide, Not Punish
We support smart accountability. When used properly, testing can support learning, helping teachers adapt to students' needs. But we oppose high-stakes tests that result in school closures, teacher firings, or the narrowing of curriculum. These outcomes disproportionately hurt marginalized students.
Great Schools Need Great Teachers
Teaching is a lifelong profession. Teachers should be trained, respected, and supported with the tools they need to lead. We reject the devaluation of teachers under corporate reform. Educators must be empowered to grow as leaders and innovators in their classrooms.
Schools Should Be Inclusive, Welcoming, and Respectful
Learning thrives in schools where students, families, and staff feel seen, safe, and respected. Environments that alienate parents or push out at-risk students undermine the school’s mission. Cultural respect, equity, and inclusion are not optional—they are essential.
Equity Requires Full Funding
Decades after Brown v. Board of Education, schools remain unequal and segregated. Underfunded schools harm not just individual students, but our nation’s future. We call for fair and full investment in public education, ensuring every student gets what they need to succeed.
Our Collective Commitment
Public schools belong to the people. They are built and sustained by the energy of students, the dedication of teachers and staff, the support of families, and the commitment of communities. We refuse to let these institutions be divided, privatized, or diminished. The vision in these principles is our roadmap for justice, inclusion, and opportunity. Together, we will reclaim our schools—locally, democratically, and powerfully.