“We must highlight all the positive, life-transforming rewards that have been the outcome of collective efforts to change our society, especially education, so that it is not a site for the enactment of domination in any form...We need mass-based political movements calling citizens of this nation to uphold democracy and the rights of everyone to be educated, and to work on behalf of ending domination in all its forms…”
bell hooks
Overview
What are we doing?
100 Days of Conversations is a collaborative project organized to catalyze conversations in communities across the country on each of the first 100 days of the new administration - January 20th - April 29th, 2021. These conversations will be analyzed and highlighted for collective dreams and turned into policy advocacy briefs to be shared with state and federal education departments, nonprofit organizations, and educators.
All of this through a 45-90 minute conversation about the future of school.
All of this through a 45-90 minute conversation about the future of school.
Process Goals
Transformation through Reflection
Deeply listening, being given the opportunity to reflect, then truly being heard are some of the most powerful levers for transformation of individuals.
Practice Democratic Discussion
Our democracy is under threat. It turns out that saving democracy requires people across the country truly connect with one another, envision their shared future, disagree, deliberate, listen, reflect, and find common ground.
Grow the Network of Human-Centered Organizations
Through this process we aim to directly connect organizations and individuals interested in rehumanizing school.
Outcome Goals
Listen and Learn
Our primary goal is to Listen Listen Listen. By centering student, family, educator voices in revisioning, and asking everyone involved to listen deeply first, we hope to learn - to deepen understanding of stakeholder experiences, hopes, and dreams.
Grow Awareness
Awareness of our shared values and dreams. And awareness of disjuncture between the shared collective visions and the current practice in the schooling system to catalyze energy for change in direction of vision.
Catalyze Change
Finally, we aim to catalyze change in the actual practice and policy of school. We will analyze the conversations to surface themes relevant to policy and practice, and then craft an agenda based on the vision, perspectives, experiences of stakeholders.
Who is participating?
Youth
Young people, 14-24 years old.*
Family
Family members, such as parents, guardians, or other adults (25+)
Educators & Community Members
PK-College, including educators and other community members connected to schools (e.g. librarians, tutors, assistants, mental health coordinators, nurses)
Your conversation must include 2-8 people, with preferably 1:1 youth:adult voices.
** Young people’s voices 13 and under are also important, but require a special consent process, please contact us to organize.
** Young people’s voices 13 and under are also important, but require a special consent process, please contact us to organize.
What does this look like?
Getting Started
Gather Your People
Gather a group of 2-8 people to participate in this conversation about reimagining school. Ideally, this would include 1 young person for every adult.
Set a Date and Time
Set a date that you will have your conversation. Then, select a date to post your conversation. If desired, you can host more than one conversation.
