In 2010, through its ONE STEP campaign, OPEN committed to help create a common community agenda for quality public education. A year later, after 34 working groups’ sessions and 2 citywide gatherings with more than 1,000 New Orleanians along with 9 best practice convenings with over 30 state, national, and local experts, OPEN has delivered on its promise!

On March 19, 2012, citizens gathered together at the Mahalia Jackson Center to release The People’s Agenda as a framework for quality public education. The event was a celebration to honor and recognize the work of countless individuals who labored endless hours through discourse, discovery and dialogue to shape the report.

The People’s Agenda presents the community’s vision for local public education and outlines a set of strategic policy and programmatic initiatives to achieve this vision. In the current local landscape of education reform where those most closely affected by public policies often feel devalued and left out of the debate, OPEN is steadfast in its efforts to bring the community to the table, arm them with critical information necessary to participate in the conversation, and elevate their voices and community-based strategies to improving schools. The ONE STEP Campaign and resulting People’s Agenda is strong evidence of this commitment. Later this year, OPEN, in conjunction with community members, will release a blueprint of specific target outcomes in each topic area to advance The People’s Agenda then track annual progress.

Download The People’s Agenda report by clicking here.

Start your own Thematic Affinity Group by contacting our Community Organizer today!