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{{Short description|Organizations established in 2010}}
{{Infobox non-profit
{{Infobox organization
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| area_served = United States
| area_served = United States
| product =
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| mission =Education reform
| focus =Teacher evaluation based on student achievement, ending teacher tenure and seniority preferences
| focus =Teacher evaluation based on student achievement, ending teacher tenure and seniority preferences
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| homepage = {{URL|StudentsFirst.org}}
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'''StudentsFirst''' is a political lobbying organization formed in 2010 by [[Michelle Rhee]], former school chancellor of [[Washington D.C. Public Schools|Washington D.C. public schools]], in support of [[education reform]].<ref name="bureaucracy"/> The organization worked to pass state laws on issues such as expanding [[Charter schools in the United States|charter schools]] and [[Teacher tenure reform (United States)|teacher tenure reform]]. On March 29, 2016, it announced some of its state chapters would merge with [[50CAN]], and its Sacramento headquarters would downsize.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Keierleber|first1=Mark|title=The 74 Exclusive: Ed Reform Groups StudentsFirst and 50CAN to Merge|url=https://www.the74million.org/article/the-74-exclusive-ed-reform-groups-studentsfirst-and-50can-to-merge|accessdate=2 April 2016|work=The 74|date=29 March 2016|archive-date=1 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401135922/https://www.the74million.org/article/the-74-exclusive-ed-reform-groups-studentsfirst-and-50can-to-merge|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Resmovitz|first1=Joy|title=Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst will merge with education advocacy group 50Can|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-edu-michelle-rhee-studentsfirst-50can-20160329-story.html|accessdate=2 April 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=29 March 2016|archive-date=1 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401195339/http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-edu-michelle-rhee-studentsfirst-50can-20160329-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''StudentsFirst''' is a political lobbying organization formed by U.S. [[education reform|public school reform]] advocate [[Michelle Rhee]] in 2010, after she resigned as school chancellor of [[Washington D.C. Public Schools|Washington D.C. public schools]].<ref name="bureaucracy"/> Its formation was announced on December 6, 2010 by Michelle Rhee, who appeared on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'', stating she had a goal of raising $1 billion and garnering one million members for a new organization which would put the needs of students before those of adults.<ref name="next"/>


⚫
==Policy positions==
The organization is registered as a [[501(c)(4)|501(c)4]] nonprofit based in Sacramento, California.
⚫
StudentsFirst organizes its policy agenda into three categories: "elevate teaching," "empower parents," and "govern well."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.studentsfirst.org/policy |title=Policy & Fiscal Strategy &#124; StudentsFirst.org |access-date=2022-02-19 |archive-date=2014-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030054159/http://www.studentsfirst.org/policy |url-status=live }}</ref>

⚫
==Policy Positions==
⚫
StudentsFirst organizes its policy agenda into three categories: "elevate teaching," "empower parents," and "govern well."<ref>http://www.studentsfirst.org/policy</ref>


Under what it calls "elevate teaching," StudentsFirst has sought to eliminate the "last in, first out"—or [[wikt:LIFO|LIFO]] -- [[Teacher tenure reform|seniority system]] for laying off public school teachers,<ref name="bureaucracy" /> based on the premise that such a system promotes a sense of "adult entitlement" among teachers.<ref name="lifo" /> The organization also supports teacher evaluation systems based on improvement in student test scores,<ref name="bureaucracy" /> and does not believe such assessment systems cause teachers to alter the test scores.<ref name="inquiry" />
Under what it calls "elevate teaching," StudentsFirst has sought to eliminate the "last in, first out"—or [[wikt:LIFO|LIFO]] -- [[Teacher tenure reform|seniority system]] for laying off public school teachers,<ref name="bureaucracy" /> based on the premise that such a system promotes a sense of "adult entitlement" among teachers.<ref name="lifo" /> The organization also supports teacher evaluation systems based on improvement in student test scores,<ref name="bureaucracy" /> and does not believe such assessment systems cause teachers to alter the test scores.<ref name="inquiry" />


"Empower parents" refers broadly to policies that allow for increased choice in where a student attends school, such as increasing accessibility to charter schools and providing opt-out options for students whose local public school is deemed "low-performing." StudentsFirst supports [[parent trigger]] laws, such as the California law that served as a the plot for the movie [[Won't Back Down (film)|Won't Back Down]].
"Empower parents" refers broadly to policies that allow for increased choice in where a student attends school, such as increasing accessibility to charter schools and providing opt-out options for students whose local public school is deemed "low-performing." StudentsFirst supports [[parent trigger]] laws, such as the California law that served as the plot for the movie [[Won't Back Down (film)|Won't Back Down]].


"Govern well" refers to policies in regards to school spending and resource allocation.<ref>http://www.studentsfirst.org/policy-agenda/entry/accountability-and-smart-spending</ref>
"Govern well" refers to policies in regards to school spending and resource allocation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.studentsfirst.org/policy-agenda/entry/accountability-and-smart-spending |title=Policy Priority 3: Spend Taxpayer Resources Wisely to Get Better Results for Students &#124; StudentsFirst.org |access-date=2022-02-19 |archive-date=2013-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905194740/http://www.studentsfirst.org/policy-agenda/entry/accountability-and-smart-spending |url-status=live }}</ref>


In January 2013, StudentsFirst published a "policy report card" evaluating each of the 50 states' public educations laws and rules against its own policy agenda.<ref>http://reportcard.studentsfirst.org/</ref> The survey suggested states publicly finance charter schools, institute test-linked "performance pay packages" for teachers, repeal laws capping class sizes, and end teacher tenure. No state received an "A" and only two states, Florida and Louisiana, received "B"s.
In January 2013, StudentsFirst published a "policy report card" evaluating each of the 50 states' public educations laws and rules against its own policy agenda.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://reportcard.studentsfirst.org/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2022-02-19 |archive-date=2018-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202010646/http://reportcard.studentsfirst.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The survey suggested states publicly finance charter schools, institute test-linked "performance pay packages" for teachers, repeal laws capping class sizes, and end teacher tenure. No state received an "A" and only two states, Florida and Louisiana, received "B"s.


==Political Activity==
==Political activity==
According to the ''Los Angeles Times'', StudentsFirst "spent nearly $2 million" in the 2012 general election cycle "to support 105 candidates across the country,"<ref>Los Angeles Times, "[[Taking a crack at California's education system]]," March 26, 2013</ref> 90 of whom were Republicans.<ref>Denvir, Daniel (Nov. 17, 2012). "[[Michelle Rhee’s right turn]]". Salon. Retrieved 2013-01-09.</ref>
According to the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', StudentsFirst "spent nearly $2 million" in the 2012 general election cycle "to support 105 candidates across the country,"<ref>''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', "[https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2013-mar-26-la-me-michelle-rhee-20130327-story.html Taking a crack at California's education system] ," March 26, 2013</ref> 90 of whom were Republicans.<ref>Denvir, Daniel (Nov. 17, 2012). "[http://www.salon.com/2012/11/17/michele_rhees_right_turn/ Michelle Rhee’s right turn] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109201538/http://www.salon.com/2012/11/17/michele_rhees_right_turn/ |date=2013-01-09 }}". [[Salon.com]]. Retrieved 2013-01-09.</ref>


StudentsFirst supports the ''Student Success Act'', legislation signed into law by Governor [[Rick Scott]] of Florida;<ref name="state" /> Michigan legislation that will remove a teacher's tenure status after a bad evaluation;<ref name="lawmakers" /> and similar proposals in Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.<ref name="movement" /> The organization's activities have been the subject of significant coverage with articles appearing in the ''[[Huffington Post]]'',<ref name="other" /> ''[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]'' magazine,<ref name="wants" /> [[National Public Radio]],<ref name="former" /> ''Education News Colorado'',<ref name="next" /> ''[[The Washington Post]]'',<ref name="bureaucracy" /> ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref name="change" /> ''[[USA Today]]'',<ref name="inquiry" /> and the [[DailyKos]].<ref name="lobbied" />
StudentsFirst supports the ''Student Success Act'', legislation signed into law by Governor [[Rick Scott]] of Florida;<ref name="state" /> Michigan legislation that will remove a teacher's tenure status after a bad evaluation;<ref name="lawmakers" /> and similar proposals in Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.<ref name="movement" /> The organization's activities have been the subject of significant coverage with articles appearing in the ''[[Huffington Post]]'',<ref name="other" /> ''[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]'' magazine,<ref name="wants" /> [[National Public Radio]],<ref name="former" /> ''Education News Colorado'',<ref name="next" /> ''[[The Washington Post]]'',<ref name="bureaucracy" /> ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref name="change nyt" /> ''[[USA Today]]'',<ref name="inquiry" /> and the [[DailyKos]].<ref name="lobbied" />


The organization has received seed money from the Eli and Edyth Broad Foundation, a backer of pro-corporate educational reform in school districts.<ref name="inquiry" /> As of May 2011, it had 21 staff members, and planned to engage in lobbying, the drafting of legislation and the backing of candidates for elected office.<ref name="inquiry" />
The organization has received seed money from the [[Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation]], a backer of educational reform in school districts.<ref name="inquiry" /> As of May 2011, it had 21 staff members, and planned to engage in lobbying, the drafting of legislation and the backing of candidates for elected office.<ref name="inquiry" />


In October 2011, StudentsFirst launched an initiative to defend Michigan Republican [[Paul H. Scott|Paul Scott]] against a recall effort,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/10/michelle_rhee_group_studentsfi.html|title=Michelle Rhee group StudentsFirst spends thousands to support Rep. Paul Scott in recall fight|agency=Flint Journal|work=mlive.com|date=October 25, 2011|accessdate=October 26, 2011}}</ref> dedicating nearly $70,000 to the initiative.<ref>http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1111/StudentsFirst_claims_victory_in_Michigan_loss_.html</ref> Scott's opponent in the upcoming race, Bobbie Walton, said StudentsFirst's involvement in the local election was "evidence of a national push to discredit teachers unions."<ref>http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/10/special_interest_groups_spend.html</ref>{{POV-statement|date=June 2012}} On November 8, 2011 Scott was recalled.<ref name="freep" />
In October 2011, StudentsFirst launched an initiative to defend Michigan Republican [[Paul H. Scott|Paul Scott]] against a recall effort,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/10/michelle_rhee_group_studentsfi.html|title=Michelle Rhee group StudentsFirst spends thousands to support Rep. Paul Scott in recall fight|agency=[[Flint Journal]]|work=mlive.com|date=October 25, 2011|accessdate=October 26, 2011|archive-date=October 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028182108/http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/10/michelle_rhee_group_studentsfi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> dedicating nearly $70,000 to the initiative.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1111/StudentsFirst_claims_victory_in_Michigan_loss_.html| title = StudentsFirst claims victory in Michigan loss - POLITICO| website = [[Politico]]| access-date = 2013-02-08| archive-date = 2013-09-27| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130927151937/http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1111/StudentsFirst_claims_victory_in_Michigan_loss_.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Scott's opponent in the upcoming race, Bobbie Walton, said StudentsFirst's involvement in the local election was "evidence of a national push to discredit teachers unions."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/10/special_interest_groups_spend.html |title=Special interest groups spend thousands on Rep. Paul Scott recall effort as Supreme Court keeps issue on November ballot |publisher=mlive.com |date= 27 October 2011|access-date=2022-02-19 |archive-date=2018-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116051959/https://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/10/special_interest_groups_spend.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{POV statement|date=June 2012}} On November 8, 2011 Scott was recalled.<ref name="freep" />


Former chairman [[Joseph P. Watkins]] was named Receiver of Schools in [[Chester, Pennsylvania]] in 2012.<ref name=change>{{cite news |last1=Hardy |first1=Dan |title=New Chester Upland chief is change agent and lightning rod |url=http://articles.philly.com/2012-08-27/news/33403540_1_vouchers-and-charters-public-education-pennsylvania-history |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=August 27, 2012 |access-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-date=September 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922081338/http://articles.philly.com/2012-08-27/news/33403540_1_vouchers-and-charters-public-education-pennsylvania-history |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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==Board of Directors==

As of September 2013, the members of StudentsFirst's Board of Directors are<ref>http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/studentsfirst-board-of-directors</ref>
⚫
==Board of directors==
* [[Connie Chung]]
As of September 2013, the members of StudentsFirst's Board of Directors were<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/studentsfirst-board-of-directors |title=StudentsFirst Board of Directors &#124; StudentsFirst.org |access-date=2022-02-19 |archive-date=2013-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920010556/http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/studentsfirst-board-of-directors |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Bill Cosby]]
* Jennifer M. Johnson
* [[Joel I. Klein]]
* [[Joel I. Klein]]
* [[Roland S. Martin]]
* [[Roland S. Martin]]
* [[Eva Moskowitz]]
* [[Michelle Rhee]]
* [[Michelle Rhee]]
* [[Jalen Rose]]
* [[Jalen Rose]]
* Blair Taylor
* [[Blair Taylor]]

==Funding==

Appearing on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' in 2010, Rhee announced a goal of raising $1 billion and garnering one million members. In actuality, the organization reported it have raised $7.8 million in its first fiscal year and $28.5 million in its second.<ref name="Fundraising">{{cite news|last1=Resmovitz|first1=Joy|title=Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst Missed Its Fundraising Goal, Tax Documents Reveal|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/02/michelle-rhee-studentsfirst_n_3535480.html|accessdate=2 April 2016|agency=Huffington Post|date=2 July 2013|archive-date=15 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415090123/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/02/michelle-rhee-studentsfirst_n_3535480.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

StudentsFirst has received funding from [[Michael Bloomberg]] as well as the [[Laura and John Arnold Foundation]]. The latter committed $20 million to the initiative in 2012, to be paid out over a five-year period.<ref name=studentsfirst-1>{{cite news|url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/15/michelle-rhee-education-a_n_1519720.html|title = Michelle Rhee, Education Activists Targeting U.S. Schools, Backed By Big Bucks|last = Simon|first = Stephanie|date = May 15, 2012|accessdate = March 25, 2014|work = [[Huffington Post]]|agency = [[Reuters]]|archive-date = March 26, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140326100450/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/15/michelle-rhee-education-a_n_1519720.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=studentsfirst-2>{{cite news|url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/corrected-national-educat_n_1626053.html|title = StudentsFirst Spending: National Education Reform Group's Partial Tax Records Released|last = Simon|first = Stephanie|date = June 25, 2012|accessdate = March 25, 2014|work = [[Huffington Post]]|agency = [[Reuters]]|archive-date = March 26, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140326095150/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/corrected-national-educat_n_1626053.html|url-status = live}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
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{{Reflist|30em|refs=
{{Reflist|30em|refs=


<ref name="bureaucracy">{{cite web|last=Turque |first=Bill |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcschools/2011/03/rhee_dc_school_bureaucracy_mak.html |title=D.C. Schools Insider - Rhee: D.C. school bureaucracy makes 'no sense' |work=The Washington Post |date= |accessdate=May 29, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="bureaucracy">{{cite news |last=Turque |first=Bill |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcschools/2011/03/rhee_dc_school_bureaucracy_mak.html |title=D.C. Schools Insider - Rhee: D.C. school bureaucracy makes 'no sense' |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=May 29, 2010 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014201201/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcschools/2011/03/rhee_dc_school_bureaucracy_mak.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>


<ref name="change">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/01/26/grading-the-education-president/change-the-teaching-profession |title=Change the Teaching Profession - Room for Debate |work=The New York Times |date=January 26, 2011 |accessdate=May 29, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="change nyt">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/01/26/grading-the-education-president/change-the-teaching-profession |title=Change the Teaching Profession - Room for Debate |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 26, 2011 |accessdate=May 29, 2011 |archive-date=March 31, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110331044318/http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/01/26/grading-the-education-president/change-the-teaching-profession |url-status=live }}</ref>


<ref name="former">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/2011/02/26/134087838/former-d-c-schools-chief-aims-to-put-studentsfirst |title=Former D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee Aims To Put 'StudentsFirst' |publisher=NPR |date=February 26, 2011 |accessdate=May 29, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="former">{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/02/26/134087838/former-d-c-schools-chief-aims-to-put-studentsfirst |title=Former D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee Aims To Put 'StudentsFirst' |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=February 26, 2011 |accessdate=May 29, 2011}}</ref>


<ref name="inquiry">{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-05-05-michelle-rhee-dc-schools-cheating_n.htm |title=Inquiry sought into D.C. test scores |publisher=USA Today |date=May 5, 2011 |accessdate=May 29, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="inquiry">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-05-05-michelle-rhee-dc-schools-cheating_n.htm |title=Inquiry sought into D.C. test scores |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=May 5, 2011 |accessdate=May 29, 2010 |first1=Marisol |last1=Bello |first2=Jack |last2=Gillum |archive-date=May 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505235000/http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-05-05-michelle-rhee-dc-schools-cheating_n.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>


<ref name="lawmakers">{{cite web|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20110520/NEWS05/105200398/Lawmakers-seek-tenure-reforms-say-firing-bad-teachers-too-costly |title=Lawmakers seek tenure reforms, say firing bad teachers too costly|work= Detroit Free Press|date=May 20, 2011 |accessdate=May 29, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="lawmakers">{{cite web |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20110520/NEWS05/105200398/Lawmakers-seek-tenure-reforms-say-firing-bad-teachers-too-costly |title=Lawmakers seek tenure reforms, say firing bad teachers too costly |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=May 20, 2011 |accessdate=May 29, 2010 |archive-date=May 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522012535/http://www.freep.com/article/20110520/NEWS05/105200398/Lawmakers-seek-tenure-reforms-say-firing-bad-teachers-too-costly |url-status=live }}</ref>


<ref name="lifo">{{cite web|url=http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/last-in-first-out-a-policy-that-hurts-students-teachers-and-communities |title='Last In, First Out' Hurts Students, Teachers, and Communities |publisher=StudentsFirst.org |date= |accessdate=May 29, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="lifo">{{cite web |url=http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/last-in-first-out-a-policy-that-hurts-students-teachers-and-communities |title='Last In, First Out' Hurts Students, Teachers, and Communities |publisher=StudentsFirst.org |accessdate=May 29, 2010 |archive-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227213245/http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/last-in-first-out-a-policy-that-hurts-students-teachers-and-communities |url-status=live }}</ref>


<ref name="lobbied">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/05/26/978992/-Rhees-Students-First-lobbied-on-OhiosSB5|date=May 26, 2011|title=Rhee's 'Students First' lobbied on Ohio's SB 5|author=Laura Clawson|work=Daily Kos|accessdate=May 29, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="lobbied">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/05/26/978992/-Rhees-Students-First-lobbied-on-OhiosSB5|date=May 26, 2011|title=Rhee's 'Students First' lobbied on Ohio's SB 5|author=Laura Clawson|work=[[Daily Kos]]|accessdate=May 29, 2011|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225757/http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/05/26/978992/-Rhees-Students-First-lobbied-on-OhiosSB5|url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="movement">{{cite web|url=http://www.studentsfirst.org/blog/entry/movement-to-reform-our-schools-gaining-ground/ |title=Movement to Reform Our Schools Gaining Ground |publisher=StudentsFirst.org |date= |accessdate=May 29, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="movement">{{cite web |url=http://www.studentsfirst.org/blog/entry/movement-to-reform-our-schools-gaining-ground/ |title=Movement to Reform Our Schools Gaining Ground |publisher=StudentsFirst.org |accessdate=May 29, 2010 |archive-date=May 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530222153/http://www.studentsfirst.org/blog/entry/movement-to-reform-our-schools-gaining-ground/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


<ref name="next">{{cite web|url=http://www.ednewscolorado.org/2010/12/14/11482-michelle-rhees-next-move-studentsfirst |title=Michelle Rhee's next move: Students First |publisher=EdNewsColorado |date=December 14, 2010 |accessdate=May 29, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="next">{{cite web |url=http://www.ednewscolorado.org/2010/12/14/11482-michelle-rhees-next-move-studentsfirst |title=Michelle Rhee's next move: Students First |publisher=[[EdNewsColorado]] |date=December 14, 2010 |accessdate=May 29, 2010 |archive-date=December 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219065736/http://www.ednewscolorado.org/2010/12/14/11482-michelle-rhees-next-move-studentsfirst |url-status=live }}</ref>


<ref name="other">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-strauss/students-first-and-other-_1_b_821865.html|author=Larry Strauss|title=Students First and Other Lies|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=May 29, 2011|work=Huffington Post}}</ref>
<ref name="other">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-strauss/students-first-and-other-_1_b_821865.html|author=Larry Strauss|title=Students First and Other Lies|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=May 29, 2011|work=[[Huffington Post]]|archive-date=February 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216195544/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-strauss/students-first-and-other-_1_b_821865.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="state">{{cite web|url=http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/state-action/florida |title=Florida |publisher=StudentsFirst.org |date= |accessdate=May 29, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="state">{{cite web |url=http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/state-action/florida |title=Florida |publisher=StudentsFirst.org |accessdate=May 29, 2010 |archive-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227212604/http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/state-action/florida |url-status=live }}</ref>


<ref name="wants">{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/152/forget-100-million-michelle-rhee-wants-to-spend-a-billion.html |title=Michelle Rhee Wants to Spend $1 Billion Fixing Education |work=Fast Company Magazine |date=January 12, 2011 |accessdate=May 29, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="wants">{{cite web |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/152/forget-100-million-michelle-rhee-wants-to-spend-a-billion.html |title=Michelle Rhee Wants to Spend $1 Billion Fixing Education |work=Fast Company Magazine |date=January 12, 2011 |accessdate=May 29, 2010 |archive-date=January 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113050707/http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/152/forget-100-million-michelle-rhee-wants-to-spend-a-billion.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


<ref name=freep>{{cite news|last=Bell|first=Dawson|title=Rep. Paul Scott recalled, concedes defeat|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20111108/NEWS06/111108082/Rep-Paul-Scott-recalled-concedes-defeat?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE|accessdate=2013-03-10|newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]]|date=2011-11-08}}</ref>
<ref name=freep>{{cite news|last=Bell|first=Dawson|title=Rep. Paul Scott recalled, concedes defeat|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20111108/NEWS06/111108082/Rep-Paul-Scott-recalled-concedes-defeat?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE|accessdate=2013-03-10|newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]]|date=2011-11-08|archive-date=2013-04-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430010645/http://www.freep.com/article/20111108/NEWS06/111108082/Rep-Paul-Scott-recalled-concedes-defeat?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE|url-status=live}}</ref>


}}
}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
⚫
* [http://www.studentsfirst.org/ StudentsFirst Website]
⚫
* [http://bigrapidsdailynews.com/?q=news/2011/05/23/teacher-tenure-reform Teacher tenure reform], ''Big Rapids Daily Press'', May 23, 2011.
* [http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R201202130900 Rhee-Style Education Reform], KQED
* [http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R201202130900 Rhee-Style Education Reform], KQED
⚫
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050204081025/http://www.studentsfirst.org/ StudentsFirst Website]
⚫
* [http://bigrapidsdailynews.com/?q=news/2011/05/23/teacher-tenure-reform Teacher tenure reform], ''Big Rapids Daily Press'', May 23, 2011.


{{Authority control}}
⚫
[[Category:Organizations established in 2010]]

[[Category:2010 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Educational organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Educational organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Lobbying organizations based in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Lobbying organizations based in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2010]]

Latest revision as of 20:31, 31 October 2024

StudentsFirst
Founded2010
FounderMichelle Rhee
TypePolitical lobbying
FocusTeacher evaluation based on student achievement, ending teacher tenure and seniority preferences
Location
  • Washington, D.C.
Area served
United States
Key people
Michelle Rhee
Websitestudentsfirst.org

StudentsFirst is a political lobbying organization formed in 2010 by Michelle Rhee, former school chancellor of Washington D.C. public schools, in support of education reform.[1] The organization worked to pass state laws on issues such as expanding charter schools and teacher tenure reform. On March 29, 2016, it announced some of its state chapters would merge with 50CAN, and its Sacramento headquarters would downsize.[2][3]

Policy positions

[edit]

StudentsFirst organizes its policy agenda into three categories: "elevate teaching," "empower parents," and "govern well."[4]

Under what it calls "elevate teaching," StudentsFirst has sought to eliminate the "last in, first out"—or LIFO -- seniority system for laying off public school teachers,[1] based on the premise that such a system promotes a sense of "adult entitlement" among teachers.[5] The organization also supports teacher evaluation systems based on improvement in student test scores,[1] and does not believe such assessment systems cause teachers to alter the test scores.[6]

"Empower parents" refers broadly to policies that allow for increased choice in where a student attends school, such as increasing accessibility to charter schools and providing opt-out options for students whose local public school is deemed "low-performing." StudentsFirst supports parent trigger laws, such as the California law that served as the plot for the movie Won't Back Down.

"Govern well" refers to policies in regards to school spending and resource allocation.[7]

In January 2013, StudentsFirst published a "policy report card" evaluating each of the 50 states' public educations laws and rules against its own policy agenda.[8] The survey suggested states publicly finance charter schools, institute test-linked "performance pay packages" for teachers, repeal laws capping class sizes, and end teacher tenure. No state received an "A" and only two states, Florida and Louisiana, received "B"s.

Political activity

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According to the Los Angeles Times, StudentsFirst "spent nearly $2 million" in the 2012 general election cycle "to support 105 candidates across the country,"[9] 90 of whom were Republicans.[10]

StudentsFirst supports the Student Success Act, legislation signed into law by Governor Rick Scott of Florida;[11] Michigan legislation that will remove a teacher's tenure status after a bad evaluation;[12] and similar proposals in Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.[13] The organization's activities have been the subject of significant coverage with articles appearing in the Huffington Post,[14] Fast Company magazine,[15] National Public Radio,[16] Education News Colorado,[17] The Washington Post,[1] The New York Times,[18] USA Today,[6] and the DailyKos.[19]

The organization has received seed money from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, a backer of educational reform in school districts.[6] As of May 2011, it had 21 staff members, and planned to engage in lobbying, the drafting of legislation and the backing of candidates for elected office.[6]

In October 2011, StudentsFirst launched an initiative to defend Michigan Republican Paul Scott against a recall effort,[20] dedicating nearly $70,000 to the initiative.[21] Scott's opponent in the upcoming race, Bobbie Walton, said StudentsFirst's involvement in the local election was "evidence of a national push to discredit teachers unions."[22][neutrality is disputed] On November 8, 2011 Scott was recalled.[23]

Former chairman Joseph P. Watkins was named Receiver of Schools in Chester, Pennsylvania in 2012.[24]

Board of directors

[edit]

As of September 2013, the members of StudentsFirst's Board of Directors were[25]

Funding

[edit]

Appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2010, Rhee announced a goal of raising $1 billion and garnering one million members. In actuality, the organization reported it have raised $7.8 million in its first fiscal year and $28.5 million in its second.[26]

StudentsFirst has received funding from Michael Bloomberg as well as the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. The latter committed $20 million to the initiative in 2012, to be paid out over a five-year period.[27][28]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Turque, Bill. "D.C. Schools Insider - Rhee: D.C. school bureaucracy makes 'no sense'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  2. ^ Keierleber, Mark (29 March 2016). "The 74 Exclusive: Ed Reform Groups StudentsFirst and 50CAN to Merge". The 74. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  3. ^ Resmovitz, Joy (29 March 2016). "Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst will merge with education advocacy group 50Can". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Policy & Fiscal Strategy | StudentsFirst.org". Archived from the original on 2014-10-30. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  5. ^ "'Last In, First Out' Hurts Students, Teachers, and Communities". StudentsFirst.org. Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d Bello, Marisol; Gillum, Jack (May 5, 2011). "Inquiry sought into D.C. test scores". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 5, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  7. ^ "Policy Priority 3: Spend Taxpayer Resources Wisely to Get Better Results for Students | StudentsFirst.org". Archived from the original on 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  8. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-12-02. Retrieved 2022-02-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ Los Angeles Times, "Taking a crack at California's education system ," March 26, 2013
  10. ^ Denvir, Daniel (Nov. 17, 2012). "Michelle Rhee’s right turn Archived 2013-01-09 at the Wayback Machine". Salon.com. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
  11. ^ "Florida". StudentsFirst.org. Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  12. ^ "Lawmakers seek tenure reforms, say firing bad teachers too costly". Detroit Free Press. May 20, 2011. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  13. ^ "Movement to Reform Our Schools Gaining Ground". StudentsFirst.org. Archived from the original on May 30, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  14. ^ Larry Strauss (February 11, 2011). "Students First and Other Lies". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  15. ^ "Michelle Rhee Wants to Spend $1 Billion Fixing Education". Fast Company Magazine. January 12, 2011. Archived from the original on January 13, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  16. ^ "Former D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee Aims To Put 'StudentsFirst'". NPR. February 26, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  17. ^ "Michelle Rhee's next move: Students First". EdNewsColorado. December 14, 2010. Archived from the original on December 19, 2010. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  18. ^ "Change the Teaching Profession - Room for Debate". The New York Times. January 26, 2011. Archived from the original on March 31, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  19. ^ Laura Clawson (May 26, 2011). "Rhee's 'Students First' lobbied on Ohio's SB 5". Daily Kos. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  20. ^ "Michelle Rhee group StudentsFirst spends thousands to support Rep. Paul Scott in recall fight". mlive.com. Flint Journal. October 25, 2011. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  21. ^ "StudentsFirst claims victory in Michigan loss - POLITICO". Politico. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  22. ^ "Special interest groups spend thousands on Rep. Paul Scott recall effort as Supreme Court keeps issue on November ballot". mlive.com. 27 October 2011. Archived from the original on 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  23. ^ Bell, Dawson (2011-11-08). "Rep. Paul Scott recalled, concedes defeat". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  24. ^ Hardy, Dan (August 27, 2012). "New Chester Upland chief is change agent and lightning rod". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 22, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  25. ^ "StudentsFirst Board of Directors | StudentsFirst.org". Archived from the original on 2013-09-20. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  26. ^ Resmovitz, Joy (2 July 2013). "Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst Missed Its Fundraising Goal, Tax Documents Reveal". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  27. ^ Simon, Stephanie (May 15, 2012). "Michelle Rhee, Education Activists Targeting U.S. Schools, Backed By Big Bucks". Huffington Post. Reuters. Archived from the original on March 26, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  28. ^ Simon, Stephanie (June 25, 2012). "StudentsFirst Spending: National Education Reform Group's Partial Tax Records Released". Huffington Post. Reuters. Archived from the original on March 26, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
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