ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Catherine Durkin Robinson
My background story
What I did before joining Step Up For Students
What do I do on my day off?
How to reach out?
05/28/20 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
There’s no time like a worldwide pandemic to change your mind
Recent polls suggest some who have opposed education choice in general and homeschooling in particular might be changing their minds. Before allies do a victory lap or sprain our arms...
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04/16/20 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
An education choice advocate’s wish in the time of coronavirus
There is an understandable wish that something good come out of a tragedy. It’s normal, right? Uniquely human. To experience a painful, uncertain time filled with suffering – especially for...
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01/29/20 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
Okay ladies, now let’s get in formation
Editor’s note: At the midpoint of National School Choice Week, Step Up For Students’ executive director for advocacy and civic engagement offers her thoughts on a grassroots education choice group...
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01/15/20 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
Who says parents don’t always choose the best schools?
Recently, Arianna Prothero wrote a column for Education Week titled, “Why Don’t Parents Always Choose the Best Schools?” This is a sensitive topic, and she handled it well, but I...
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01/02/20 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
An education choice advocate reflects on benefits of A+ Plan
Editor’s note: During this holiday season, redefinED is republishing our best articles of 2019 – those features and commentaries that deserve a second look. This article from Step Up For...
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11/12/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
Opening up education choice conversation increases chances for success
According to the National Review, progressive education reformers are ruining everything. I had no idea. How many progressive education reformers are we talking about? Is this like when my mother...
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10/24/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
What’s in a name?
Should we refer to our movement as “education choice” or “education freedom”? That’s a big discussion these days. Which would better rally our supporters? Which would encourage opponents to give...
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09/24/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
Bridging the gap between left and right on education choice
“If you care about children, parents, and communities, you can’t vote for Bernie Sanders. He’s the teachers’ union candidate.” This is the message educational opportunity activist (and CEO of Education...
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08/14/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
Commentary: Parental choice is an effective form of accountability
Editor’s note: The Gainesville Sun editorial board, in an opinion posted July 28, called for greater oversight for private schools that will receive about $130 million this year from the...
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08/06/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
An education choice advocate reflects on benefits of A+ plan
Editor’s note: redefinED continues to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the K-12 reforms launched by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, collectively known as the A+ accountability plan, with this post from...
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07/12/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
New parent advocacy organization is ‘enemy of average’
There’s a new kid on the block. yes. every kid. At the recent Stand Together summit in Colorado Springs, a new education organization was announced. yes. every kid. will represent...
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07/02/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
New name, same family-focused mission
The Florida Parent Network – the largest advocacy network of its kind and a model for every educational choice program in the United States – is now Florida Voices For...
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05/29/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
Sanders misses point on education reform
When Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Democratic candidate for president, recently revealed his education plan, most of the ensuing news coverage focused on his criticism of charter schools and his call...
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05/16/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
Standing up to tribal pressure
Last Thursday was a wonderful day for students in Florida, especially students living in undervalued neighborhoods and desperate for educational options. Gov. Ron DeSantis traveled the state promoting the belief...
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05/03/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
Commentary: “What do you think of Betsy?”
“What do you think of Betsy DeVos?” I get this question a lot. Family members and longtime friends know me as a left-wing activist with over 30 years of experience...
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04/10/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
Commentary: Free public schools won’t ever work for all children
Editor’s note: This opinion piece, written by the executive director of the Florida Parent Network, appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat March 27. Imagine grocery shopping with your friend. She lives...
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03/08/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
Parents unite to learn about, advocate for educational choice
Most national conferences dedicated to educational choice in this country are focused on lawmakers and policy wonks. I love good debates over accountability measures with people who find white papers...
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02/14/19 | Catherine Durkin Robinson
Commentary: Widen the circle, broaden the conversation
Recently, I was invited to a local coffee and conversation-type event in Florida between my former state representative and former neighbors who are predominantly white progressive women. Then I was...
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