Education - ForceChange

Don’t Allow Tennessee High School to Censor Pro-LGBT Messages

When the assistant principal of Hardin County High School cancelled pride week and prohibited the display of all pro-LGBT messages, he created an excessively hostile academic environment–one that validates anti-gay bullying and threatens the safety of queer students. Tell the district’s superintendent that this kind of anti-gay censorship is unethical and won’t be tolerated.

Hold High School Accountable for Showing Students Anti-Abortion Propaganda Film

Students at Wagoner High School in Oklahoma were shown an anti-choice film without any parental consent. In addition, the impressionable teenagers received copies of the DVDs to bring home and share. Tell Superintendent Marte Thompson that immediate action must be taken against the high school employees who allowed this film to air in classrooms.

Integrate Yoga into Chicago Public School Systems

The Chicago Public School system faces many issues of truancy, violence and general misbehavior: these issues are both a result of, and aggravated by, the social and economic status of many Chicago families. Yoga is a practice that is physically stimulating, mentally and emotionally calming, and proven to have benefits for troubled children. With truancy rates in schools and crime rates in the city on the rise, it is time that we take action at the very root of the issue by bringing yoga to Chicago Public Schools.

Demand a World Class Math and Science Education for American Students

American students are far behind the rest of the world in math and science. If funding for math and science programs is not provided, our country will be unable to solve critical problems and will suffer economically. Encourage the Obama administration to enable funding for math and science education.

Don’t Let High School Officials Monitor Students’ Facebook Posts

School administrators in Minnesota recently punished a student for views expressed via her Facebook account. They went on to unlawfully demand her password and search the private contents of her account without a warrant. Demand that the school district enact new policies preventing these egregious breaches of privacy.

California State University Faculty Ready to Strike Over Salary Woes

Students and faculty of the California State University System are unhappy about the state’s financial situation and are now prepared to strike over it. As the CSU trustees continue to negotiate plans to grant raises to those already making the most money, teachers and faculty are too often left to simmer on the back burner.

Stop Budget Cuts for California Public Schools

Governor Jerry Brown wants to cut $4.8 billion from California public schools. These severe budget cuts would impact class sizes, music and art programs, and shorten the school year. Ask Governor Brown to stop budget cuts to public schools and instead prioritize education.

Tell Florida State University to Reject Donations that Compromise Academic Objectivity

Our schools of higher education are absolutely vital to our health as a country and to maintain international competitiveness. Unfortunately, Florida State University has prioritized money over academic integrity by giving big-money donor Charles Koch partial control over their economics department in exchange for his money. Tell the FSU Board of Trustees to reject any donations that come with strings attached.

Welfare Programs should Provide Educational Opportunities for Struggling Parents

While the poor in the U.S. continue to suffer in silence, those who rely on the welfare system continue to lose opportunities to obtain secondary and post-secondary education. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services must implement educational programs to improve job opportunities for parents that struggle to meet basic needs.

Don’t Expel Gay Teen for Defending Himself from Bullies

Darnell Young faced months of harassment and mistreatment from his classmates at Arsenal Technical High School while teachers and administrators willfully ignored his situation. After his mother gave him a stun gun to frighten away aggressors, Darnell was suspended and recommended for expulsion. Tell the principal of Tech High to introduce more effective anti-bullying programs instead of punishing victims of anti-gay harassment.

Support Lenoir City High School Teacher’s Inclusion of a Gay Student Profile in the Yearbook

When gay student Zac Mitchell was profiled in Lenoir City High School’s yearbook, he explained his personal experiences with coming out, bullying, and defying gender norms. Titled ‘It’s OK to be Gay’, his profile piece ignited a storm of homophobic rage from school board members, fellow students, and conservative bloggers. Tell Principal Steve Millsaps to stand by Yearbook Advisor James Yoakley’s brave decision to give this powerful piece a platform.

Allow Dissection Choice for Connecticut Students

A bill being considered by Connecticut legislature would allow students to be excused from participating in or observing animal dissections in the classroom. Students should not have to violate their ethical beliefs in order to gain an education in biology. Urge Connecticut legislature to pass a bill allowing students to have a choice about dissection in the classroom.

Don’t Deny Access to Education for Underserved Public Schools

Senate is currently trying to renew legislation that subjects low-income and under-performing schools to harsher punishment and accountability. These schools already lack adequate resources to properly educate students. The Senate must pass legislation that aims to better education in underserved communities.

Tell Republican Politicians That Bullying is Not a Right

Senate hopeful Heather Wilson recently spoke out against proposed legislation that would make classrooms safer for all students by prohibiting bullying, stating that there’s no need to ban teasing or anti-gay sentiments. The idea that bullying is a natural part of the high school experience is a dangerous notion that shouldn’t be propagated by our country’s politicians. Ask Wilson to reconsider her remarks.

Ensure Taxpayer Dollars Are Spent Only lOn Education At For-Profit Universities

New legislation will ensure that the ubiquitous for-profit university will be held accountable for spending taxpayer money. For-profit universities have a history of using a large portion of their tax dollar revenue on deceptive recruiting practices to lure students into a sub par, overpriced education. Support legislation to support education and hold for-profit universities accountable for their grand promises.

Teach Homeless People Life Skills and Training: Provide Hope For a Better Tomorrow

While homeless shelters are extremely necessary, they not only are losing funding, but they fail to address the causes of homelessness. The majority of homeless shelters only address the symptoms of homelessness, providing only temporary accommodation and meals. Homeless people need to be taught life skills. They must be given hope and training in order to pull themselves out of homelessness.

Don’t Let Tax Payer Subsidies to For-Profit Colleges go Towards Marketing and Recruiting

For-profit colleges use federal financial aid dollars to fund recruitment programs that deceive potential students. Urge Congress to protect students and taxpayers by banning the use of federal financial aid dollars for marketing, advertising and recruitment purposes.

Offer Higher Education to All Iranians

In Iran, people of minority religions, including Baha’i, are not allowed to study higher education. Since 1987, the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education teaches students but the government constantly raids the college for illegally teaching minority students. Ask the Iranian government to change its law and allow all religions to attend higher education schools, not just Muslims.

Protest School Speaker’s Comparison of Sex to Filthy Water

Brad Seng, whose employer is a Christian crisis pregnancy center, recently spoke to a group of middle school students about abstinence. He compared young people engaging in sex to a glass of contaminated water, encouraging students to spit up food into the glasses. This presentation was extremely offensive and the speaker should be barred from speaking at the school again.

Support Student Loan Forgiveness and Jumpstart the Economy

Student loan debt has exceeded credit card debt and is expected to reach $1 trillion this year. A proposed law would make student loan repayment simple and fair, and would ensure long-term economic growth. Urge Congress to support forgiveness of student loan debts and provide real relief for the country’s burdened economy.

Desperate School District In Minnesota Proposes Shortening School Week To Save Money

Federal budget cuts are hitting education hard. The Burnsville School District in Minnesota may adopt a four day week throughout part of the year to save money, at the expense of student learning. Tell Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to fully fund all school districts to maximize student success.

End Loophole that Allows Teachers Guilty of Sexual Harassment to Keep Their Jobs

Although New York’s arbitration system was put in place to prevent unfair firings, this system shouldn’t allow teachers who have sexually harassed their students to get away with only a suspension and a fine.

Reinstate Teacher Who Supported Trayvon Martin Fundraiser

Brooke Harris, a former eighth grade teacher in Detroit, was fired after supporting her students’ idea to have a fundraiser for Trayvon Martin’s family. Let Superintendent Jacqueline Cassell know that Ms. Harris was wrongfully terminated and should be reinstated.

Close School That Uses Torturous Shock Therapy on Children

When Andre McCollins refused to remove his coat, he was subjected to 31 excruciatingly painful electric shocks. And this is only the beginning of the horrors that have occurred at the Judge Rotenberg Center for troubled and mentally disabled youths. Tell the Massachusetts legislature that this so-called ‘school’ must finally be shut down.

Save Head Start to Improve Education for Impoverished Children

Pre-school funding for poor children (the Head Start program) faces an uncertain future as a recently proposed Republican budget threatens to cut funding for the program. Head Start is an important program that helps prepare low income children to be successful in school. Urge the U.S. House of Representatives to maintain funding for this important program.

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