Feeling Lucky at 13

The Alliance for Public Schools has officially entered its teen years! As we celebrate the completions of our 13th year of supporting public education stakeholders with programs, resources, and advocacy, we’re reflecting on the incredible journey that brought us here—and looking ahead with hope and determination.

We were born during a time of transition, as schools across the country adopted the Common Core State Standards and faced the backlash that followed. We stood firm during debates over tying teacher pay to student test scores (we were not fans), and we proudly joined the National GradNation Campaign to raise the high school graduation rate to 90% by 2020. Through that effort, we built one of the most robust student leadership programs in the country—students leading the charge to improve graduation outcomes in their own schools.

Then came the pandemic. Like everyone in education, we faced challenges. But we didn’t stop. We adapted, supported, and stood by our schools, families, and students. And just as we began to recover, we encountered a new wave of disruption—what some parents in our communities have called the “Crazy Screamers” at school board meetings and the rise of the so-called “Parental Rights” movement. Too often, these efforts have been more about pushing personal agendas than building the kind of community consensus we’ve always championed.
Despite it all, we’ve remained focused on what matters: students, families, and educators.

We’ve supported some of the largest school districts in the country—across Florida’s I-4 corridor and in Clark County, Nevada (the 5th largest district in the U.S.)—as well as small, rural districts in Kentucky, Wyoming, Connecticut, and Vermont. No matter the size or location, our mission has remained the same: to engage families, elevate student voice, and advocate for strong public schools.

Over the past 13 years, we’ve:

Engaged thousands of families and caregivers in meaningful conversations about their child’s education—helping them answer questions like:
“What does my child do all day at school?”
“How can I support their learning?”
“What do educators think about my child’s experience?”
Supported 11 graduating classes, embedding student voice into systemic efforts to remove barriers and increase supports—helping more students earn their diplomas.
Reached our long-term goal of a 90% graduation rate in our home district, despite pandemic delays—a 16% increase that represents thousands of students walking across the stage ready for college or career.
Provided clear, accessible information on education policy at the local, state, and district levels—empowering tens of thousands of individual acts of advocacy and helping pass or renew local funding initiatives in more than 10 communities.

The work hasn’t been easy. Underinvestment in public education continues. Educator morale is low, and we’re facing a chronic shortage of teachers choosing to stay in the classroom to teach. Students report feeling less connected to their schools and less optimistic about their futures. And too often, communities clash instead of collaborate when it comes to public schools.

But then—there are the moments that remind us why we do this.

A week spent training student leaders to be mental health ambassadors. A family engagement night where over 70% of families show up. A high school graduation filled with cheers, tears, and pride. These are the sparks that keep us going.

Public schools are still the bedrock of our democracy. They are where we come together, where we learn to live in community, and where we prepare the next generation to lead. We remain dedicated to supporting them however, and wherever the opportunity arises.

So, here’s to the next year—and beyond—for the Alliance for Public Schools. To our partners, families, and student leaders: thank you for nurturing the spark. Let’s keep turning it into a flame that lights the way forward.

We’re feeling lucky to be here. And we’re just getting started.