National coverage of CSPS Action launch emphasizes organization’s unique positioning championing innovation, accountability and high student outcomes in public education

New York Times: CSPS Action an emerging “third camp,” “a political action committee and a think tank that will reject vouchers while continuing to push for the expansion of the public charter school sector” [and] “for all schools to be held accountable for student learning outcomes”

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chalkbeat, “The Learning Curve”, “The Grade” & more highlight launch as Democrats seek new path on education

ICYMI: Brand New Democratic Outfit Launches to Protect, Transform Public Education as Federal Funding Crisis Highlights Urgent Need for State-Level Champions – MORE HERE

ATLANTA, GA – In case you missed it, national media is highlighting the launch of the Center for Strong Public Schools Action Fund (CSPS Action) and its complementary think tank, the Center for Strong Public Schools (CSPS), as the emergence of what The New York Times calls a “third camp” in Democratic education politics—one uniquely positioned between traditional education reform organizations and teachers unions.

“This coverage affirms the tremendous excitement and momentum building around our mission to create a home for courageous elected officials who want to strengthen public education while demanding better outcomes for every student,” said Alisha Thomas Searcy, CSPS Action and CSPS Co-Founder and CEO. “We’re seeing that there’s a real appetite for leadership that bridges progressive values with evidence-based approaches to improving student outcomes, and the coverage shows we’re successfully establishing ourselves as that vital ‘third camp’ that can unite Democrats around a bold vision for public education.”

The comprehensive coverage comes as CSPS Action announces it has already received more than $1 million in initial funding and is building a network of Democratic elected officials across the South who support the organization’s vision of transforming public education by bolstering accountability systems, funding equity, teacher support, comprehensive school safety and public school options.

See below highlights of the media coverage of CSPS Action’s launch:

• New York Times: “In a sign of just how fractured Democrats are, a third camp is emerging […] Two former staff members of the group are starting a political action committee and a think tank that will reject vouchers […] The groups will also support other ways for parents to exercise choice, such as making it easier for students to attend public schools outside of their residential zones, and they will push for all schools to be held accountable for student learning outcomes.” (08.04.25)

• Atlanta Journal Constitution: “Alisha Thomas Searcy and Garry Jones are launching a pair of affiliated organizations today to push their version of school choice, one that focuses on expanding public options — like charter schools — instead of subsidizing private ones. It’s a return to advocacy for Searcy, the former Cobb County lawmaker who resigned as regional president of Democrats for Education Reform earlier this year over what she said was the group’s embrace of private school vouchers […] ‘I grew up as a product of public school choice, and those educational options literally changed the trajectory of my life,’ Searcy said. They’ll also focus on the politics required to make those policies happen. Searcy said the group will ‘be making substantial investments in the upcoming 2026 election cycle,’ including the primaries for governor and school superintendent.” (08.04.25)

• Chalkbeat: “Two veteran Democratic education advocates announced a new public school think tank and action fund this week aimed at making inroads in four Southern states […] The Center for Strong Public Schools Action fund will back center-left candidates in Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee, in addition to investing at the legislative policy level with its think tank arm. Former Georgia state lawmaker Alisha Thomas Searcy and Texas education advocate Garry Jones co-founded the group. Searcy said last week they narrowed their focus to four states where ‘both the threats to undermine public education and the opportunities to strengthen it are greatest.’” (08.04.25)

• “Politically Georgia” Podcast: “‘For me, co-founding Center for Strong Public Schools and Center for Strong Public Schools Action Fund is about doing for others what wasn’t done for me. So now, Democrats in the states that you mentioned, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, they now have a home, a center, where we’ll be able to serve them in terms of policy support, convenings, making sure they’re connected with other elected officials who are like-minded. And then in our C4, our political organization, helping them to have that political support. So that’s the ‘why.’ And I’m so excited and grateful to be doing it. And it feels like exactly what I’m supposed to be doing if you think about my trajectory, both in policy and in politics.’” “Politically Georgia” Podcast (08.06.25)

• “The Learning Curve” Podcast: “Drawing on both her legislative and schoolhouse experience, Alisha now leads an ambitious effort like Center for Strong Public Schools (CSPS) and CSPS Action, to support center-left state policymakers in navigating education challenges and designing student first public schools. In closing, she explains why the current moment presents unique opportunities to strengthen K-12 public education, especially in Southern states that are facing both pressing achievement needs and prospective school innovations.” (08.06.25)

• “The Grade” Podcast: “‘If you look at the polls, it shows that as a party, Democrats are struggling, and it’s for a number of reasons that we won’t talk about today. But the question is, who can lead on education? I think it’s Democrats. And so the story now is who’s going to stop, who’s going to fight, who’s going to stand up when it comes to the things that are happening federally that Donald Trump is trying to do? Who’s been the voice previously? I think there’s no better time than now for an organization like the Center for Strong Public Schools and our action fund to be that voice for the center left.’” (08.08.25)

For more information about the Center for Strong Public Schools visit strongschoolsnow.org, and for more information about the Center for Strong Public Schools Action Fund, visit strongschoolsaction.org.

About the Founders:

Alisha Thomas Searcy served six terms as the first African American elected to the Georgia House of Representatives from Cobb County, and is a former school superintendent of a network of public charter schools in metro Atlanta. She brings over 20 years of experience as a non-profit executive, policymaker, and education leader, and is a frequent media contributor on politics and education issues.

Garry Jones moved to Texas more than a decade ago and has remained deeply engaged in Democratic politics at state, district, and local levels. Prior to co-founding CSPS Action, he served as Executive Director of a statewide education advocacy organization in Texas and spent over three years as Chief of Staff in the Texas Senate, successfully managing the state’s most competitive Senate race in 2018.

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