BATs (BadAss Teacher Association members) from around the nation are descending on the U.S. Department of Education on Monday, July 28. Learn why over 48,000 educators and supporters are preparing to surround the DOE to demand change. Join the Education Town Hall on July 24 with BAT co-founder Mark Naison and General Manager Marla Kilfoye to learn more about BAT demands and how you can be involved.

General demands, at press time, included:

ending federal incentives to close and privatize public schools;

promoting equity and adequate funding;

supporting teacher-driven curriculum;

banning data sharing without parental and district permission;

restoring rights for students with disabilities;

stopping high-stakes testing grants and teacher-evaluation; and

requiring all publicly funded schools to operate with transparency and accountability.

BATs also call, more specifically, for cutting federal support for the Common Core, ending ties to Teach for America, and replacing Arne Duncan with a lifelong educator. A variety of activities are planned for July 27-28.

Naison, professor of African-American Studies and History at Fordham University and director of Fordham’s Urban Studies Program, co-founded BATs. He appeared on the May 15, 2014 edition of Education Town Hall. See also May 1, 2013 report on testing mania. Marla Kilfoyle, BAT general manager, has appeared on the Education Town Hall to discussion School Choice Week and other topics. BACK

Listen live, via TuneIn, at 11 a.m. Eastern on July 24.

Education Town Hall airs Thursdays at 11 Eastern on We Act Radio. Shows are archived shortly after broadcast for listening at your convenience.