Our City, Our Schools Coalition

We build grassroots power to fight the root causes of state-imposed intervention in schools. We fight for authentic community decision-making, resources, stability, and improved learning and teaching conditions for our schools. We fight against harmful top-down interventions, such as turnaround and receivership.

  • Learn

    Right now, Governor Baker and Education Commissioner Jeff Riley are threatening to impose a destabilizing takeover on the Boston Public Schools. Parents, educators, and students are fighting back because we know this is another distraction from winning the resources and changes our public schools need to succeed.

    Across the United States, state takeovers have proven to be destabilizing, unsustainable, and dangerous for the future of children and students. Learn more below:

    One-Pager (English/Español/Português/中国人 (Chinese)/عربي(Arabic))
    Infographics (English/Español)
    Town Hall Slideshow
    Video: What happened in Lawrence
    Data against receivership
    Globe analysis: “School takeovers by the state haven’t worked”
    Lesson Plan to teach about Receivership

  • Act

    We have a very short timeline to avoid Receivership. The Board of Education discussed an “Update on the Boston Public Schools” on May 24th, and while Commissioner Riley did not make a recommendation on Receivership at that time, the door is still open. Currently, DESE is reviewing a draft agreement from Mayor Wu and should be responding soon. We need to keep the pressure on.

    Students: Attend the student-led forum on Receivership Thursday 6/9 4pm. RSVP at tinyurl.com/NoTakeoverBPS

    Share and sign the letter-writing campaign.

    Get your Parent Council/School Site Council/Faculty Senate to sign-on to the letter.

    Contact your State Rep and Senator; urge them to press Baker. Here’s a script.

    Contact Governor Baker by phone (617) 725-4005, email, or twitter.

    Stay tuned for a big rally at the State House.

  • Join

    Your voice is important to our coalition. Let us know if you’d like to join our action-planning meetings.

    Here’s who’s already with us:


    Black Teachers Matter
    Boston Coalition for Education Equity
    Boston Education Justice Alliance
    Boston Liberation Center
    Boston Teachers Union
    Citizens for Public Schools
    Community Labor United
    JP Progressives
    Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health
    Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance
    Massachusetts Jobs with Justice
    Mijente
    QUEST
    Roslindale/West Roxbury Progressives
    St. Stephen’s Youth Programs

    Read the City Council Resolution Opposing State Receivership for Boston Public Schools.

    Email bejaruby@gmail.com to join our coalition and get involved.


    Join