In everything we do, we strive to create a more socially equitable world for all. The need for greater equity is especially prevalent in the U.S. education system where educational opportunity gaps have led to an inequitable education experience for many students. It was with this reality in mind, that Voqal created the Education Opportunity Project, an effort to measurably reduce educational opportunity gaps by providing capital and strategic advice to entrepreneurs and organizations working to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged populations. This month we take a look at one of the organizations leading the way in this work, the Network for Public Education Action.
Network for Public Education Action is an advocacy group whose mission is to preserve, promote, improve and strengthen public schools for both current and future generations of students. It works to connect all those who are passionate about their schools – students, parents, teachers, and citizens. It shares information and research on vital issues that concern the future of public education at a time when it is under attack.
With support from Voqal, the Network for Public Education Action recently launched Public Voices for Public Schools. Public Voices for Public Schools gives voice to former voucher and charter parents, educators, parents and community members who work tirelessly in their communities every day to improve their public schools, even as they fight well-funded efforts to privatize their schools. Together, they enter the dialogue about the importance of public education and our personal struggles to help schools improve.
This initiative recognizes that protecting students is no easy task and that the voice of these community members is important. That’s why they empower the individuals who engage with the program to make a difference by posting both state and national alerts in support of public schools. They believe that everyone has the opportunity to be advocates to protect community-governed public schools from those who see them not as a public treasure, but as something to be commodified, a taxpayer-funded “cash cow” used for the self-enrichment of a select few.
At Voqal, we believe that ensuring a thriving public school system is vital to ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to an education. We are proud to support innovators in this space like Network for Public Education Action and applaud them for giving a voice to those most connected to the well-being of our country’s students.
You can learn more about the Education Opportunity Project and the other organizations we have the honor of working with on our educational impact page.