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This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first charter school law. Since then, a fledgling idea to create a new type of public school grew into a powerful movement that has touched millions of students and forever changed the trajectories of their lives. At moments like this, it is natural to take stock, remember the pioneers and reflect on how much has been accomplished. It’s also important to look ahead and consider the future.
The future of the charter school movement is our young leaders. That’s why, as part of National Charter Schools Week, an annual celebration of more than 200,000 dedicated teachers, 3.3 million students and 7,500 public charter schools across the United States, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is honoring 30 exceptional young changemakers. They are a diverse group. Some are still in elementary or secondary school. Others are a bit older, and several are solidly established in their careers. But they a
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Announces Honorees for the 30 Under 30 Changemakers Awards
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, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (National Alliance) honors 30 exceptional young leaders who are connected in some way to charter schools and are using their ideas, talents, and platforms to advance educational and economic opportunity and promote equality and social justice. The 30 Under 30 Changemakers Awards shine a spotlight on individuals from across the country who are making a meaningful impact in their community via the Arts, Writing, and Sports; Education and Politics; Leadership; Science; and Social Justice. The students, teachers, and advocates who make up our 30 Under 30 Changemakers reflect 30 years of the tremendous success of these innovative, student-centered public schools. I am grateful for our Changemakers and the thousands of teachers, leaders, and families across the nation who work tirelessly to s
End of religious headwear rule says athletes are more than their uniforms
Why should Muslims need permission to wear a hijab, or anyone for that matter, whatever their religious observance? Bilqis Abdul Qaadir poses in July 2020. Photo courtesy of Haute Hijab
February 22, 2021
(RNS) When she was not allowed to play in her second volleyball game of the season, 14-year-old Najah Aqeel never thought her pushback would knock down nearly every obstacle in her way, like a bowling ball knocking over pin after pin.
Last September, the ninth-grader at Valor College Prep in Nashville, Tennessee, was pulled from the court after an official pointed out that her coach had not provided a waiver for her to play while wearing her hijab, or religious headscarf. When she was told she couldn’t play, Najah started crying. She received support from her family and teammates but still felt hurt. Then she began to push back.
Feb. 15, 2021
In September, when a referee told 14-year-old Najah Aqeel that she couldn’t compete in a junior varsity volleyball game because she was wearing a hijab, she was crushed.
“I was crying. I was sad and upset and angry,” recalled Najah, a high school freshman at Valor College Prep in Nashville.
The referee cited a rule established by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the body that governs most high school sports across the country noting that student athletes wearing “hair devices” more than three inches wide needed to secure prior approval from their state athletic association to compete. For athletes such as Najah, the rule meant they had to secure permission to compete while wearing their hijabs, the head coverings worn in public by some Muslim girls and women.
A student athlete sparked national change after being disqualified from a volleyball match for wearing a hijab
US high school volleyball players no longer need approval to wear religious head coverings during matches, thanks to a 14-year-old Muslim player who inspired the rule change.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), which sets competition rules for most US high school sports, announced on Thursday the new rule and said it could extend to other sports.
Support for the rule change swelled in September after Najah Aqeel, a freshman at Valor Collegiate Prep in Nashville, Tennessee, was disqualified from a volleyball match for wearing a hijab or headscarf.