via: Education Votes

Fed up with underfunding and overtesting, educators, parents and community activists will stage a secondnational “Walk-In” at their public schools in 80 cities.

The first national Walk-In back in February of this year attracted more than 40,000 people in 33 cities, including thousands of NEA members. After gathering outside in park lots and playgrounds before the morning bell and carrying signs that read, “We demand the schools all our children deserve,” public education supporters walked into their school in a show of solidarity.

“The best part of the Walk-In for me was that students saw us, and came up and asked what we were doing. When we told them, they were impressed, and they joined us,” said Shelly Hurley, a Seattle, Washington elementary school special education teacher.

“I joined the Walk-In because it made sense to involve the community in supporting our schools. What could be more positive than that!” said Diane Livingston, a high school math teacher and NEA local union President in Hazelwood, Missouri.

On May 4, 22 NEA local associations, from California to Massachusetts, will participate in the national Walk In. NEA is a partner in the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, which organizes the Walk-Ins. The Alliance is fighting underfunding and overtesting with a broad vision for American public education that prioritizes racial justice, equity, and well-resourced, opportunity-for-all public community schools.

“It is incredibly important that educators and our public school allies show unity and strength,” says Cedric Stripling a middle school band director in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Planning to Walk-In to support public education? Here are some resources.