Celebrating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday and School Choice

Today, we honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose life and work helped advance the American promise of equal opportunity for all. A key element of that promise is access to high-quality educational options. Pioneer Institute has held numerous public forums on Dr. King’s heroic legacy, and the continuing struggle to realize his dream. You can watch video highlights from our many events on Civil Rights below.

Pioneer is also proud to announce next week’s release of a new documentary film, “Big Sacrifices, Big Dreams: Ending America’s Bigoted Education Laws,” that traces the ordeals of four different families who must make sacrifices to send their children to schools that offer instruction rooted in religious faith, academic rigor, and a culture of respect. These families reside in states with Know-Nothing or “Anti-Aid” Amendments that prevent children from attending parochial schools.

Below, we share an excerpt from our new film, featuring Gerard Robinson, former state education official in Virginia and Florida. In the clip, Gerard describes America’s long march toward freedom; he concludes: “Past bigotries are an unforgivable limitation on our children’s future.” Watch the clip, attend one of our four upcoming film screenings, and view other film trailers online.

Attend a Free Film Screening for “Big Sacrifices, Big Dreams: Ending America’s Bigoted Education Laws”:

Watch our videos and read our related reports and commentary:

 

Event videos:

Op-eds:

Cheryl Brown Henderson: Letting Mass. Charters Grow Fulfills Brown v. Board Promise, Plaintiff’s Daughter Says

Sephira Shuttlesworth: Mass. charters fight racial oppression

Charles Chieppo & Jamie Gass: It’s Long Past Time For High-Quality Schools In Urban Areas

Jim Stergios: METCO Matters As Never Before

Jamie Gass: Emmett Till teaches us, 60 years later

Jim Stergios: Schoolhouse Doors Blocked

Shortchanging the Future: The Crisis of History and Civics in American Schools 

Expanding METCO and Closing Achievement Gaps

Putting Children First: The History of Charter Public Schools in Massachusetts