My Country ‘Tis of Thee
Your special Friday Forza
Almost 249 Years…and Counting
Several months ago, on September 12, standing at the top of One World Trade Center—part of the structures that rose from the ashes of the fallen Twin Towers—I reflected on the surreal and tragic events of 9/11, and on the quintessential American strength that rebuilt it all and vowed to protect future generations from such evil.
I also shared the story of my dad and his family rolling past Lady Liberty to Ellis Island, as so many others in my family—and possibly yours—did. The pain and turmoil they left behind to reach the land of the free is front and center in my mind as we approach this Fourth of July holiday.
Even more pressing is the tension in the Middle East—contained in part thanks to the efforts of freedom-loving nations like ours, though the path to peace is still uncertain.
We have so much to be proud of. No matter the tensions, arguments, divisions, or inequities, we live in a uniquely exceptional nation that respects natural law and honors our God-given talents.
This Independence Day, and in the days leading up to it, let’s challenge our nation’s education leaders to take the lead in helping our youth understand why we celebrate this moment every year. Let’s really teach it, America—and let’s start celebrating.
Freedom Florida
It turns out, unsurprisingly, and as I’ve pointed out many times before, that freedom not only fosters safer, more prosperous, healthier, and happier nations, but also leads to better education.
Florida is once again proving that point—and the results are hard to beat. They should be posted on the walls of every state capitol in America. We all know that with freedom comes responsibility, and that’s exactly what Florida has entrusted to its educators, families, and school leaders.
As the Foundation for Florida’s Future put it:
“In every grade and tested subject, Florida students made improvements over the last year… [and] more Florida students are achieving a year’s worth of learning in a year’s time.”
Despite the Evidence, The Opposition Strikes Again
This week in Ohio, a Democrat Franklin County Court Judge ruled the state’s 35 year old education choice program unconstitutional. The program is still operational while the courts debate the merits (actually the lack thereof) of the case.
There’s nothing more un-judicial than a judge defying the U.S. Constitution, and the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld this very law in the famous Zelman v. Harris case (2002) and has continued to validate the constitutionality of state laws affirming the rights of parents to direct the education of their children. In the end the Constitution will prevail, but will cost time and taxpayer resources to fight it.
Ironically, this same month is the 100th Anniversary of the landmark case, Pierce v. Society of Sisters, which upheld a parent’s right to direct the upbringing of their children. As part of the celebration, advocates and the nation’s best education providers were invited to the White House in gratitude of their continued work to expand and to defend parent power.
Note to judges - make sure you actually read cases rather than just googling them. You can find a primer all about the constitutionality of school choice if you visit the CER website page on that subject.
Land of the Free and Home of the… Innovators!
The freedom that we uniquely enjoy as Americans is on display in few better instances than in the case of the education providers who make up the Yass Prize movement. This bold initiative, powered by CER, has showcased brave and courageous innovators and educators, businesspeople and technicians alike who all have come from a varied and tapestried background to end up at the same conclusion: their efforts and energy, their dreams and hopes are best spent in the interest of educating our nation’s youth, who are the future.
Join them! Take the plunge and apply for the 2025 Yass Prize competition to become part of the pathbreaking group of innovators who model the principles of Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless (STOP) education, starting with the best education accelerator out there.
The work that results is proof that with vital principles in place, the power to innovate and states that embrace a multiplicity of education approaches, innovation and excellence can reach all of our kids.
To learn, visit YassPrize.org and hear directly from cohort members and former speakers why this is the most powerful network in education.
And subscribe to Innovation in Action to follow these partnerships.
Beach Bests
If all this was a little too deep for you and you’re just looking forward to cooling off at the beach or the bar, be sure to go armed with fun and informative material to boost the substance of your experience!
🎥 Watch: A discussion on The Pursuit of Happiness with the National Constitution Center’s CEO Jeff Rosen and Louisiana Key Academy Founder Laura Cassidy.
🎧 Listen: The best and briefest education-related podcast out there, #Edreformin10 features Paul Quinn College Student Chase Bracken this week what innovative higher education is all about.
📖 Read: An Unfinished Journey: Education and the American Dream, by yours truly. Amazon is standing by to get it to you in time for the break!
What can I say? God Bless America!
Have a safe, healthy and happy Fourth of July! - Jeanne
