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< Back to Newsroom SENATE BILL 117 IS WRONG FOR OHIO June 5, 2023 Chair Cirino, Vice-Chair Rulli, Ranking Member Ingram, and members of the Senate Workforce and Higher Education: At the Campaign for our Shared Future (COSF), we share the General Assembly’s commitment to ensuring Ohio’s students learn to think for themselves and handle challenging topics in order to become successful in life. Unfortunately, as written, Senate Bill (SB) 117 would significantly undermine this goal and the quality of education of Ohio’s higher education institutions. SB 117 Injects Partisan Politics into Education SB 117 takes the power to make key decisions for higher education institutions out of the hands of experts and puts it into the hands of politicians by allowing them to pick and choose members of an academic council. Moreover, it funds new history curriculum, research, courses, and teachings aligned with their own political agenda. Teaching Ohio students that there is only one way to understand our history is the opposite of “intellectual diversity” – instead, it puts Ohio students at a disadvantage, ensuring they are less prepared for careers and the real world. Rather than use young people for political purposes, we must ensure they learn the true and complete history of our country, both the good and the bad. SB 117 is a Political Stunt that Takes Resources Away from Ohio Students At a time when higher education students in Ohio are struggling to endure the rising costs of getting an education, this proposal would shift money, time, and resources away from learning and toward a political stunt. SB 117 allocates $5 million dollars toward the creation of a center at Ohio State University and $3 million for one at the University of Toledo. To put this into perspective: $5 million dollars is enough to pay full in-state tuition costs for 400 students at Ohio State University for the same period (1). We need to focus resources on helping students succeed, not creating more bureaucracy and wasting tax dollars. SB 117 Encourages Extremism By failing to define “intellectual diversity,” SB 117 amounts to a slippery slope. The ambiguous provisions in this proposal open the floodgates to campus speakers and faculty who espouse racist, antisemitic, and other odious or violent beliefs. Ohio is already home to an alleged “Nazi homeschooling group” (2). The committee should be protecting Ohio students against the advancement of these hateful ideas; not giving them a platform in our schools. Racist, antisemitic, and fascist ideology must be stopped, NOT bolstered. SB 117 Brings Extremists to Ohio SB 117 could drive talented professors away from Ohio, scaring away innovation, weakening academic rigor, and making the state’s universities and colleges less competitive compared to other states. SB 117 also encourages the hiring of political extremists from outside of Ohio by reserving only three seats on an academic council for experts from Ohio. We should be listening to real experts, as well as students and parents, about how to create the best education possible — not amplifying ideologues for the sake of politics. There are important questions we must consider about how higher education institutions can teach students how to think, not what to think. However, an answer to this question cannot come in the form of legislative mandates that create confusion, division, and red tape. We ask you to say NO to SB 117 and work collaboratively with students and higher education institutions to ensure all Ohio students have access to a high-quality, competitive education. Sincerely, Heather Harding Executive Director of the Campaign for Our Shared Future “Students, professors speak against Ohio bill that would create ‘intellectual diversity’ centers,” Ohio Capital Journey , Jun 1, 2023, https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/06/01/students-professors-speak-out-against-ohio-bill-that-would-create-intellectual-diversity-centers/ “Ohio education officials investigating pro-Nazi homeschooling network,” The Hill, February 2, 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3842937-ohio-education-officials-investigating-pro-nazi-homeschooling-network/ Previous Next

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Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion A better school for all of our children is within reach From 2021 to 2024, the Campaign for Our Shared Future existed to support equity in public education through building greater power in the field. We combatted extremist attempts to turn schools into political battlefields and we equipped partners around the country to continue the fight. This website is an archive of the resources we provided to families, grassroots organizations, and educators around the country. We encourage you to explore the site and and take advantage of lessons we have learned. How can we help you? I’m a member of the community ​ Button ​I’m an activist ​ Button I’m an educator ​ Button Our mission Every child deserves an inclusive, meaningful education that supports their health, learning, and success in life. An excellent K-12 education, inclusive of and accessible to all, is the foundation of a healthy multi-racial democracy. The Campaign for Our Shared Future fights for equitable, anti-racist programs, practices, and policies that sustain schools and ensure opportunity for every child and a brighter future for us all.

The Movement Playbook provides messaging, a glossary of commonly used terms, resources for talking with potential voters, and other tips to guide planning before, during and after elections. Whether your group is big or small, this playbook outlines all the essential information needed to elect all-star school board representatives. Click for Interactive Course Download Playbook PDF

< Back to Newsroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2023 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org The Campaign for Our Shared Future Announces Voter Education Campaign and Guide Washington, DC - Today, the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) Executive Director, Heather Harding, Ed.D. released the following statement celebrating the launch of a 2023 voter education campaign focused on school board races across the country: "Elections are about the future, and school boards do important work close to home. In 2023, more than 30,000 school board elections will help make decisions about curriculum and funding for children and teachers nationwide. The people we elect to serve on our school boards will have a greater effect on our children's futures than who we elect as president. "Our schools should reflect the values and priorities of our communities. Voting in school board elections is the best way of protecting local control and family involvement. We must ensure that our school board members represent the interests of all our students and families, and aren’t simply trying to advance their own political careers. Those we elect must work collaboratively with educators, parents, and community members to create a learning environment that supports our children’s academic needs and enables their personal growth and success. "Selecting the best candidates will require education. This month, the Campaign For our Shared Future will launch a voter education campaign to prepare voters for civic participation. To support this effort, we’ve developed a voter guide filled with essential information people can use to prepare for the elections in their communities. We hope that by providing this information, voters will have the tools to help them identify and consider candidates aligned with their values and priorities. Together, we can ensure our children have the best possible chance to succeed and thrive in school and life." ​ ### The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. COSF is a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country. Previous Next

< Back to Newsroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2023 press@campaignsharedfuture.org ICYMI: Campaign for Our Shared Future Blog Features Librarian's Journey From Educator to Advocate Ahead of Banned Book Month Washington, D.C . - Today, Carolyn Foote a Texas Librarian and Co-founder of the FReadom Fighters was featured on the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) blog “The Unbiased Classroom.” Through her personal experiences, Foote emphasizes the dangers that book bans pose to our children’s education and how librarians, families, and advocates can fight back against the increase in censorship across the country. Last week, two new reports provided new data that proves the freedom to read is still under assault with over 3,000 instances of book bans in US public classrooms last school year. In the last two years, many districts have received hundreds of book challenges with a recent report citing that 92% of book challenges target more than one title . Foote issues a call to action saying “only when the majority of Americans who oppose book bans engage in this fight will it come to an end.” Read an excerpt from: How my library job turned into a fight for freedom The best job in the school, I used to say. As a school librarian, I spent 29 years on high school campuses, supported by and collaborating with families to help our students be successful, whether it was helping them find resources for a paper or helping them find books they loved. Fast forward to 2023, now librarians like myself find themselves at the center of politically motivated controversies, harassment, and unprecedented censorship attempts. But all of the disruption shifts our focus from what really matters - getting our students and their families excited about reading. … I worry for all students whose learning is at the center of this whirlwind. When we ban books we signal certain ideas and identities aren’t welcome in our classroom. By extension we are telling our students that if they see themselves reflected in those texts, they aren’t welcome in our schools. Our students’ right to a high-quality age-relevant education is under threat by extremists who fail to treat them with respect. For many Americans, busy with their everyday lives, there’s a lack of awareness of the widespread nature of book bans and the impacts on students, librarians and teachers. That’s why campaigns like Let America Read and Unite Against Book Bans which highlight the challenges are important. And despite the appearance created by legislative actions and political rhetoric, a large majority of Americans oppose book bans; this holds across party lines. So what can you do to get involved during Banned Book Week, a traditional observance of the freedom to read in October? Take time to thank a librarian or school board member for defending student access to age relevant content. Engage on social media with those fighting against book bans like @oif , @campaignfuture , @everylibrary , @letamericaread , and @freadomfighters . Speak up at a school board meeting for an inclusive curriculum and contact organizations like Campaign for Our Shared Future for help . Research your local school board candidates. Check your voter registration status using Let America Read’s “I am a Voter'' campaign by texting READ to 26797 . Only when the majority of Americans who oppose book bans engage in this fight will it come to an end. We need your voices and more importantly, so do our students. You can read the full post here . ## The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high-quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. COSF is a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country. Previous Next

Education in America is Under Attack They are looting libraries They are dumbing down established teaching practices They are suing schools They are demanding approval of teacher lesson plans They are literally burning books Parents are feeling exhausted and voiceless. Teachers are leaving the profession in droves. And students have been left out of the conversation entirely. Meanwhile political extremists are forcing politicians are using parents’ concerns to create chaos while radical politicians pass laws that are anti-student and anti-learning. Who We Are The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. ​ We are a common ground effort that provides resources for families to become knowledgeable about their local school boards. We teach them how to meaningfully engage with their boards, and if they don't like what their representatives are doing, we also teach them how to get out the vote. ​​ ​ Additionally, we provide support to educators caught in the middle of culture wars. We counsel them on navigating political minefields so that they can focus on providing students with the best possible education. Our Goals Stop harmful anti-education policy from being introduced, passed and implemented at the local, state and federal level Educate and organize partners from across industries, sectors, and communities to support high-quality, inclusive K-12 education Shift the narrative about schools to center the needs of children and the positive impact of a shared inclusive education experience for our democracy Build, mobilize, and strengthen a network of national & local organizations to increase a powerful, sustainable constituency for free, inclusive, & excellent K-12 schools How We Will Win Students and families are at the core of our work. COSF is creating space for them to become the leading voices in this fight. We know what is possible when they have a voice and when communities come together in support of children’s learning. ​ Through a nonpartisan, common ground effort, we are able to build power on the local and district level to fight back against the political assault on high-quality public education. ​ United, we will form stronger partnerships in school communities. We will also remove politics from our classrooms and protect learning. From this foundation, we can build great public schools that respond to children’s needs and teach necessary age-appropriate content. ​ Our battlefields are the school boards. Until recently, the school board had been an overlooked elected office. But political extremists have set their sights on winning thousands of school board seats around the country in order to undermine public faith in our schools and our national democratic project. ​ ​ ​ ​

Community Building Starting a Group Gaining Members Getting Started Types of Groups School board races may be confronting national issues (divisive topics, book banning, etc.), but they are ultimately WON locally. Local groups who can get out the vote, keep the community informed, and who know the issues on the ground are invaluable to turning out the vote. When done right, digital and community engagement can help members of a community feel seen and heard. The tips below will help give students, parents, and community members the tools to support one another as they navigate school board meetings and online spaces. Community Building Types of Groups Online group - Zoom or Facebook or Instagram group centered around an issue serves to inform voters, give out voting information and to rally voters around a particular issue In -person group - centered around a theme to help get the vote out and share voter information Topics groups might center around - examples Equity and diversity group Public school supporters group Supporting students group Politically connected group Educator supporting group Do you want it to be a voluntary informal group or a PAC? Do you want to actively get out the vote/call voters? Do you want to support other education friendly races, also? Types of Groups Starting a Group Find a few like-minded friends Decide on the “issue” your group will center around Not just what you are against (you should know that) What are you for? What is the future you see? Why is this issue important to each of you? Decide on roles of member leaders at first two meetings Decide on local meaningful name that’s easy to distinguish Decide on method of communication - an email, a Google listserv, a Facebook or Instagram account or website - so other local people can join in and get information Decide on privacy levels for the group - is it by invitation, can anyone join? Some groups create a public Facebook page and then a private Facebook group for strategizing and planning. Or a public Facebook page, but use emails to communicate plans. Design any logo or branding you might want to use to identify your group - you can use Canva.com to create a free icon if desired. Decide on the target audience for your group - all voters, all public ed supporters, just women, youth voters, neighbors, etc. Decide on actions your group wants to undertake & write them down Research and decide on messaging themes for best impact Identify future target dates for items like these; set timeline Gathering more members via social media Educating voters about role of school board or other local positions Postcard writing Get out the vote door knocking or phone banking? Hosting house parties for candidates Hosting online forum for candidates Written questions for candidates Hosting online education events or webinar- i.e. How libraries select materials; how school boards work; how teachers choose curriculum; how to register voters, etc. etc. with informed speakers Voter registration or ballot education Starting a Group Gaining Members Start with your small initiating group and then ask each person to invite others Share your new group on other sympathetic Facebook or Instagram pages Tag school district on FB, Twitter or Instagram posts to increase visibility Keep tone professional at all times to avoid alienating like minded community members Design a t-shirt or something that can be worn in public to attract interest/attention Have start up meetings at easy local locations or on Zoom to outline a few goals to guide the group and to make introductions. Invite local guest speakers or candidates to meetings to gain more knowledge/more attendance. Hold “public school” celebration events in local locations with guest speakers, activities for kids, voter registration etc. Gaining Members Getting Started Every little bit of advocacy helps bring attention to school board races! Consider coordinating with other local groups, too, or candidates to make sure the support you provide is what’s needed. Helping people become aware of and invested in voting school board races in your area is key. Getting Started

< Back OCR Complaints The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is the federal agency that enforces federal civil rights laws in schools and other educational institutions.If a district abandons long-standing procedures for reviewing books, more than just political games are at stake. Families are in danger of having their civil rights violated.The OCR investigates discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability. Check out these resources on how to file a complaint: Know your rights Where to file When to file Complaint FAQ How to file - ACLU How to file - Legal Aid Investigation FAQ Previous Next

< Back to Newsroom Re: The dangerous consequences of House Bill 6 April 18, 2023 Re: THE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF HOUSE BILL 6 Chair Young, Vice-Chair Dobos, Ranking Member Miller, and members of the House Higher Education Committee: The Campaign for our Shared Future (COSF) is committed to stopping dangerous policies that single out some students for differential treatment, which is why we again strongly urge you to oppose House Bill (HB) 6. We can all agree that no one should play political games with young people’s lives, which is why governors on both sides of the isle have rejected bills like HB 6. Governors in Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and Louisiana alike have vetoed legislation banning transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports, pushing back against the fake narrative that transgender children should be scapegoated and alienated. In explaining his veto, Republican Governor Spenser Cox emphasized that this issue should be treated with nuance and empathy. “I don’t understand what [transgender students] are going through or why they feel the way they do,” he explained in a note. “When in doubt however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy, and compassion.” [i] We urge you to follow his lead and make a compassionate decision that considers ALL the potential damaging consequences of HB 6. HB 6 Diverts Resources Away from Children This proposal threatens to embroil schools in expensive litigation, diverting resources away from our children. Lawsuits against schools, school districts, colleges, and athletics organizations could result in less resources for our kids to learn and play sports. Our education tax dollars should go to children, not lawyers. HB 6 is a Slippery Slope The Ohio High School Athletic Association and the NCAA have policies governing student athletics to ensure fair access for every student. Yet, politicians want to dictate whose child gets to play sports, setting up a slippery slope. If politicians start telling families there is only one way to live their lives, where does it stop? Which group of children gets excluded next? Faraway statehouse politicians should not make blanket decisions on family values. HB 6 Amounts to Bullying All families want young people to be treated equally. Sports help all young people develop leadership, confidence, and community. Denying young people this opportunity is discriminatory—and it is bullying. U.S. Department of Education has clarified that the Title IX protects LGBTQ+ students’ equal access to educational programs and activities .[ii] HB 6 is an Attack on Mental Health Many Ohio student athletes have already testified about the negative impact HB 6 would have on them, their teams, and their schools, but this proposal is likely already having a damaging impact on their mental health. A study by researchers at Cornell University found that the mere consideration of discriminatory legislation by politicians creates an unwelcoming climate for LGBTQ+ people by furthering poor mental health, internalized stigma, and expectations for adverse treatment.[iii] Transgender students already face bullying in schools, with 80% of students perceived as transgender reporting some form of mistreatment and 20% of young people facing severe mistreatment being forced to leave school.[iv] That is devastating for a student individually, as well as for their future as an Ohioan. If they recover from this mistreatment, will they stay in Ohio? Or will they leave the state and take their talents elsewhere? HB 6 is a Solution Looking for a Problem The exceedingly small number of transgender young people who are looking to find a sense of connection and community–do not pose any threat to women’s sports. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated in 2019 that just 1.8 percent of high school students in the country are transgender,[v] and the Human Rights Campaign estimates that only about 12% play on girls' sports teams.[vi] How many transgender students play girls’ sports in Ohio? Like all young people, transgender students deserve opportunities in and out of school that are free from discrimination and prepare them for their futures. When young people are healthy and able to pursue their goals—regardless of gender—it creates a better future for all Ohioans. [i] “Utah Governor Vetoes Transgender-Athlete Bill,” New York Times, March 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/22/us/utah-governor-transgender-athlete-ban.html [ii] “U.S. Department of Education Confirms Title IX Protects Students from Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity,” U.S. Department of Education, June 2021, https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-confirms-title-ix-protects-students-discrimination-based-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity . [iii] 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS), National Center for Transgender Equality, https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/usts/USTSOHStateReport(1017).pdf . [iv] The Trevor Project Research Brief: Bullying and Suicide Risk among LGBTQ Youth, October 2021, https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Trevor-Project-Bullying-Research-Brief-October-2021.pdf . [v] “Transgender Identity and Experiences of Violence Victimization, Substance Use, Suicide Risk, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among High School Students — 19 States and Large Urban School Districts,” Center for Disease Control, 2017, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6803a3.htm [vi] Improving the lives of LGBTQ Youth in Sports, Human Rights Campaign Foundation, https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/PlayToWin-FINAL.pdf Previous Next

< Back Family and Friends DO Speak about bans on historical figures, authors, and other local concerns Ensure that everyone has enough time and space to clearly discuss their point of view Ensure that everyone has enough time and space to clearly discuss their point of view Appeal to the shared values at the table—whether that’s about kids learning life skills, compassion, or empathy—and look for common ground in education DON'T Use national examples or viral media that isn’t actually based on the local reality and context Apologize for elevating, listening to, and advocating for students, especially students of color Use yelling or attacking language (e.g. refrain from calling someone racist or using hot topic buzz words) Use jargon that they might not be familiar with or zero-sum language (i.e. describe the type of environments every student deserves rather than saying “equitable learning environments”) Previous Next

< Back to Newsroom NO TO HOUSE BILL 8 in Ohio! May 8, 2023 NO TO HOUSE BILL 8 in Ohio! Chair Bird, Vice-Chair Fowler-Arthur, Ranking Member Robinson, and members of the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee: The Campaign for our Shared Future (COSF) is committed to fighting for the right of every child to an inclusive and high-quality education that prepares them for success in life. Unfortunately, House Bill (HB) 8 undermines this goal and would help dismantle public schools that serve as the backbone of this country. HB 8 is not about protecting children – it’s about banning books. This bill would give a single person the power to appoint themselves judge and jury over what’s appropriate for everyone else’s children. Parents already have the power to make choices about their children’s education. In fact, federal law protects their right to review their child’s materials. All they have to do is ask. HB 8 could result in more books that reflect ALL of Ohio’s children being pulled from library shelves. Indeed, one in three books censored last year feature LGBTQ+ characters. ALL of Ohio’s children deserve to see themselves and their families represented in books. HB 8 is a needless waste of resources . HB 8 could result in every school hunting down words or sentences from tens of thousands of books, which will remove teachers, librarians, and administrators from their primary responsibility to educate children. This bill is burdensome and would undermine continued efforts by the legislature to tackle the teacher shortage crisis. HB 8 is redundant and unnecessary. Federal law already guarantees parents’ a right to access their child’s education records, and allows parents and guardians to review any surveys before they are administered to their child, among other guaranteed rights. Provisions concerning students’ records are a thinly veiled attempts to “out” LGBTQ+ students to their parents without their consent and will undoubtedly create barriers for students who need mental health services but may not have supportive or involved parents. HB8 is a distraction from the real issues facing Ohio's students: staff shortages, substandard school facilities, insufficient school funding, and more. Say NO to HB 8 because all Ohio students deserve the right to access robust, high-quality education. Sincerely, Heather Harding Executive Director of the Campaign for Our Shared Future Previous Next