School Climate & Safety Blog

Democracy and Education

Greg Jobin-Leeds is Co-Founder of the Schott Foundation for Public Education and Access Strategies Fund. He writes and speaks on successful social movements, highly effective international educational practices, school leadership and political strategies. A former high school teacher and teacher trainer, he is a public school parent. This blog is no longer being updated.

Equity & Diversity Opinion CFED shows shocking statistics on poverty in America -- and dangerous implications for education
The recent release by the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) of their 2012 Assets & Opportunity Scorecoard contains alarming statistics, an unconscionable portrait of this democratic nation.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, February 23, 2012
6 min read
School & District Management Opinion IBM Says Students Inept in Math and Science
In a recent article by CNN, executives from IBM say that available positions are difficult to fill because candidates are not skilled enough in math and science.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, February 17, 2012
2 min read
Families & the Community Opinion Guest Bloggers to Write on Education Policy and Movement Building
Over the next few months, I will be inviting several guest bloggers to post their ideas, inspiration, experiences and knowledge.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, February 13, 2012
1 min read
Families & the Community Opinion 11 Things you can do to support Occupy
11 Things you can do to support the Occupy movement right now.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, January 18, 2012
1 min read
School & District Management Opinion Occupy Wall Street's Goals and Public Education
I have been getting many emails and comments about the last blog.  Fewer people are asking about detailed demands for Occupy after my last blog.  But several want more specifics. This blog focusses on some concrete ideas that organizations can demand.  As mentioned in earlier emails, no one speaks for occupy; this list is compiled from positions that I have heard and would like to see.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, January 17, 2012
5 min read
Equity & Diversity Opinion What Does Occupy Envision? Why Occupy is Not Putting Out A Clear List of Demands
Part III of V
There is a difference between a policy demand and a movement goal.  A movement is more visionary and broader.  Movements are made up of people from many policy campaigns. Movements shift conversations and are not satisfied with a narrow policy victory.  Organizations and campaigns stand on the shoulders of the movement.  As Rinku Sen says, organizations fight for clear demands; movements change the conversations and create a psychic shift.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, December 20, 2011
3 min read
School & District Management Opinion What is Occupy Doing Now?
I am interrupting my 5 part series to answer questions I am getting about what Occupy is doing now.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, December 19, 2011
2 min read
Equity & Diversity Opinion Occupy Wall Street's Goals and Public Education (Part II)
The Occupy movement has expanded exponentially due to the inaccessibility of the American dream. Like the conditions that allowed for the Arab Spring to grow: massive unemployment, poor schools, increased food, health, and housing costs.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, December 9, 2011
3 min read
Families & the Community Opinion Occupy Wall Street's Goals and Public Education
Part I -- Who is Occupy Wall Street and what does Occupy believe in? Occupy is made up of nurses, teachers, auto workers, homeless vets, students and even conservatives who all fervently believe the 99% can reclaim democracy, build a just society and create a better world for everyone.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, December 6, 2011
4 min read
International Opinion History of the current Chilean student movement
From Egypt to New York to Puerto Rico, London, and Greece, youth-led struggles throughout the world are giving hope and confidence that we can once again provide a fully funded opportunity for all children to succeed in public education, from preschool to college.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, December 2, 2011
3 min read
School Climate & Safety Opinion Chile and the International Education Reform Struggle
U.S. educators, students, parents, policymakers, and Occupy activists can learn a lot from Chilean students.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, November 22, 2011
2 min read
Early Childhood Opinion The International Occupy Movement and Public Education
Occupy Wall Street, in tandem with similar movements across the world, is raising critical issues and exposing how our education system reflects larger economic inequalities.
Greg Jobin-Leeds, November 18, 2011
3 min read