TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME!

…and that’s exactly what The Center for Education Reform did with the District of Columbia (the District) public charter school community on July 23rd!

Nearly 1,000 teachers, school leaders, parents and children representing 50 school networks and more than 70 schools came together for Charter School Night at Nationals Park.  Not only did the group celebrate the National’s 11-1 romp over the Colorado Rockies but more importantly the victories that these education innovators have created with their dedication to the families of the District are changing lives.  Fans of all ages enjoyed a great night of baseball, food and drinks – on us! 

Charter School Night at Nationals Park was also the launch for the city-wide Open the Door for Opportunity! The new campaign in the District – part of CER’s Summer Intensive Offensive – is designed to educate, reeducate and motivate the public about charter schools.  Last Tuesday night, and in the weeks to come, canvassers are giving people a chance to help open the doors – literally, to Opportunity. 11,000 students are on waiting lists for public charter schools yet the District Government sits on 12 empty buildings and 1.5 million square feet of underutilized space in traditional public school buildings.  HELP OPEN THE DOOR FOR OPPORTUNITY!

Twelve charter innovators/advocates from the DC charter school community were recognized on the field – and on the JumboTron! – prior to the game. What a thrill to be on the field with Screech and the players, surrounded by almost 1,000 members of the surrounding DC charter community and the Nationals’ fans

We need the help of all those who support great educational opportunities for kids to ensure we can mobilize not only citizens in the District of Columbia to influence our lawmakers but people throughout the country. From LA to Philly, demand for our efforts is unprecedented. We are building a major Offensive to carry our work from here through the 2020 election to ensure the candidates and the media do not hurt the children we’ve supported nor the millions more that need our support to achieve their goals and dreams.