Editor’s Note: Please see the previous blog post about Peace Jam By Nicole Colchete, CEI Intern One powerful way to prevent bullying is to educate students about diversity and guide students in thinking deeply and empathetically about their own actions. PeaceJam  accomplishes this by guiding students in asking themselves meaningful questions such as: How can we mindfully express our feelings and ideas? How do our verbal and non-verbal expressions impact others? How do we rais

When will the evil of racism, white supremacy, and neo-nazism end?  How have the extremists groups supporting such bigotry and hate operated in the U.S. historically? How are these topics handled in classrooms in America? Are we having adequate discussions with our students? The Rev. William Gardner wrote about these issues in 2009, saying,  “Is there any way out of the tragic drama of our history of white supremacy? Can we make more liberating and humane choices about racial

By Christine Mason Heather Heyer, a 32-year old legal assistant, was killed and 19 were injured when a white supremacist from Ohio rammed his car into the group of counter-protestors at the site of a “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, VA. Heather’s mother, Susan Bro, told MSNBC that Heather had been “passionate about justice for everyone and fairness and fair treatment.” This senseless act of violence is being labeled as “domestic terrorism” by some. A.C Thompson, a

By Nicole Colchete, CEI Intern What Is PeaceJam? Examples of PeaceJam’s Global Success One reason why PeaceJam is so influential is because it impacts schools on an international scale so that compassion and diversity education is being taught to students from all different countries, cultures, and ethnicities. Here are examples of its success from all over the world: James S. Rickards High School (Tallahasse,Fl)  uses PeaceJam to instill civic engagement, peacemaking skills,

By Adriana Jarquin, CEI Intern At this interim date, how are states faring? Reports by an independent third-party that conducted a review for the U.S. Department of Education, and others, including the Education Commission of the States, differ in their assessment of the current status of the ESSA plans. Below, we provide a summary of some of the key points from the independent assessment, followed by a summary of concerns expressed by others. The Process Highlight and Front