Justice issues are common ground for Catholic, public school alliance

National Catholic Reporter, March 27, 1998 by Stan Karp

Forging coalitions

Civil rights activist Bernice Regan once said, "If you're in a coalition and you feel comfortable, your coalition isn't broad enough." Forging a coalition on behalf of public schools that includes churches, religious groups, along with parents, community and educators will not be easy. There are thorny issues and lots of history to overcome. But if we keep in focus the democratic ideals of public schooling and the vision that the civil rights movement first raised about the role public schools could play in building a better more just society, if we act in the social justice traditions of religious movements that have spoken up in the past for the poor, for workers, against war and for peace and justice, then there is reason to believe we can find a common path.

If educators, parents and communities of faith make common cause around a commitment to help public schools succeed, instead of emphasizing the narrow issues that keep us apart, both our children and our society can only grow stronger.

Stan Karp is a high school teacher, an editor of Rethinking Schools (a progressive education journal) and cochair of the National Coalition of Education Activist.