The Annual United Opt Out Conference is coming to Florida

United Opt Out: The National Movement to End Corporate Education Reform is committed to eliminating high-stakes testing. They are having their annual conference in Ft. Lauderdale. That’s like 90 min across Alligator Alley!

FYI, if you live up North (we call you snowbirds), Ft. Lauderdale in January is a dream. South Florida is a beautiful sunny, cool paradise that time of year.

Why am I so excited? Because a ton of activists, parents, students and community members will be there. People who have been in the fight for years will be holding workshops and information sessions on everything from how to grow and sustain a successful opposition movement, how to combat adversity and intimidation, and how to exercise your rights as an informed citizen.

Here are the details:

Who?

United Opt Out and lots of other education activists associated with the Opt Out Movement.

What?

It’s a conference full of speakers and workshops and it’s called UNITED OPT OUT NATIONAL: Standing Up for Action.

When?

Jan. 16-18, 2014

Where?

Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center (See website for lodging info)

Why?

To inform the public of their rights to refuse the test; to help the public organize, assemble and mobilize; and, most importantly…to jumpstart a revolution, of course!

January 15th is a day when children around the country recall that Dr. King had a dream for a fair and just society. But we must also remember that realizing a dream for the future of public education and our children will not arrive with mere wishing. We must take action.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and advocates for justice, democracy and public education, both past and present, United Opt Out is hosting an event that brings advocates for public education together to form plans of action. This three-day event will center on working group themes including: civil rights, legislation/policy, civil disobedience, organizing/strategy, unions, and media. Local group leaders will be joined by members of the national community from groups such as Chicago Teachers Union, FairTest, Save Our Schools (SOS), BAMN, UTD, BTU, BATs, and of course, United Opt Out National. Each day will also include nationally recognized keynote speakers and panel discussions.