May’s CEAM Parent Takeover was more than a recap — it was a celebration of parent engagement, relationship-building, and the power of families sharing their lived experiences directly with elected officials.

From January through May, CEAM parent advocates traveled to Jefferson City every month to speak with lawmakers about the educational opportunities and challenges impacting their children. Together, families participated in 77 meetings with legislators — along with countless conversations with legislative assistants, chiefs of staff, and community leaders throughout the Capitol.

Throughout the session, parents came prepared with one-pagers, personal stories, and a willingness to openly discuss what educational options have meant for their families. We saw experienced parent advocates welcoming first-time attendees, grandparents advocating for grandchildren, and students confidently speaking about the schools and programs helping them succeed.

One message remained consistent throughout the session: families want to be heard.

Again and again, legislators took time to listen as parents discussed charter schools, MO Scholars scholarships, virtual learning opportunities, and the importance of ensuring students have access to educational environments that meet their individual needs. These conversations created opportunities for understanding, connection, and continued dialogue between families and policymakers.

We also witnessed moments that reminded us why family engagement matters:
• Students visiting the House chamber and seeing government in action.
• Families building personal relationships with representatives and senators.
• Children creating thank-you cards for elected officials.
• Parents meeting Governor Kehoe and other state leaders for the first time.
• Advocates encouraging and supporting one another throughout the process.

This year, more than 150 Missouri families participated in CEAM’s annual card-making campaign, helping send over 2,000 thank-you and advocacy cards to legislators across the state.

As the legislative session progressed, lawmakers heard from families across Missouri about the importance of expanding educational opportunities for students. During the session, the legislature ultimately approved the $60 million expansion of the MO Scholars program — a significant development for families seeking additional educational options for their children.

But while the legislative session may be over, the work of parent engagement continues.

Advocacy does not stop when lawmakers leave Jefferson City. Summer is often when relationships continue to grow in local communities — at town halls, school events, libraries, and neighborhood gatherings. CEAM families will continue sharing their stories and connecting with elected officials throughout Missouri because meaningful change happens through ongoing conversation and community involvement.

The Parent Takeover also highlighted another important CEAM resource: “Why Wait for the Teacher?” — a growing collection of free online learning tools and educational resources available through CEAMTeam.org. Families can access everything from Khan Academy and NASA learning activities to coding programs, reading resources, museum experiences, and math games designed to support learning at home.

At CEAM, we believe parents are their child’s first and most important advocate.

To every parent, student, grandparent, volunteer, legislator, and supporter who participated this session: thank you. Your stories matter. Your voices matter. And your willingness to engage is helping shape important conversations about education across Missouri.

Follow along with CEAM throughout the summer as parent engagement and community conversations continue across the state.

Visit:
• CEAMTeam.org
• ShowMeSchoolOptions.org

And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X for updates, resources, and future opportunities to stay engaged.

What does it take to help children truly love reading?

In this episode of One Good Idea, Peter sits down with educator and literacy advocate Julius Anthony to discuss the powerful connection between literacy, representation, and student success.

Julius shares the story behind the creation of the St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature and the innovative Believe Literacy Labs—immersive reading spaces designed to help children see themselves reflected in books, build confidence, and experience joy in learning.

The conversation explores:

• Why third grade reading matters so much

• The literacy crisis facing Missouri students

• The importance of culturally responsive children’s literature

• How school environments shape learning and identity

• The design and impact of the Believe Literacy Labs

• What happens when children finally feel “at home” in a reading space

This episode is a thoughtful and hopeful conversation about what schools can become when we center humanity, culture, and belonging in the learning process.

🎧 Listen now and discover one good idea that’s changing literacy outcomes for children across St. Louis and beyond.

Recently, Missouri families received powerful news: the court has upheld the MOScholars program, rejecting all constitutional challenges against it. This decision reinforces what so many of us have known all along. Parents deserve the freedom to choose the best education for their children.

MOScholars is a K-12 scholarship program that provides funding to eligible families, allowing them to choose the learning environment that best fits their child’s needs. Families can use these scholarships for private school tuition, homeschooling resources, virtual education, tutoring, therapy, and other approved educational services. It gives parents the ability to customize their child’s education in a way that truly works for them.

This court decision confirms that MOScholars is here to stay.

There will always be challenges. There will always be opposition.

And that is why advocacy still matters.

For me, this victory hits differently.

I have been advocating for the MOScholars K-12 Scholarship Program since before it became law, back when I had no school choice options for my own children. MOScholars was the opportunity I wanted for my family and for so many others across the state.

When MOScholars became law, it marked a major turning point for families. It meant access to opportunities that once felt out of reach and a pathway to educational environments that truly meet children where they are.

This time, I did not just speak about the importance of this program. I had to defend it.

I served as a witness in this case. I shared my story, my experiences, and the reality that Missouri families face when there are no school choice options. I carried not only my story, but the stories of so many families still searching for better educational opportunities for their children.

I know what it feels like to sit in an education system that is not working for your child and be told to wait, to settle, or to accept that this is your only option.

I also know what it feels like to keep going, to keep showing up, and to keep advocating for your child to receive a quality education that meets their needs.

MOScholars is often described as a scholarship program, but that does not fully capture what it means to families.

It means access.

It means choice.

It means relief.

It means a child finally being in a learning environment where they can grow, feel safe, and succeed.

Today, the program serves thousands of students across Missouri. This outcome is a reminder of what is possible when parent advocates refuse to stay silent, when families share their experiences, meet with their elected officials and when people stand firm for what they believe their children deserve.

I am proud to have been part of this journey, from advocating before MOScholars was law, to becoming a MOScholars parent, to standing in defense of the program when it was challenged.

And we are not done.

Because as long as there are families still searching for better educational opportunities and still waiting for access, this work continues.

At CEAM, we empower parents with the tools, knowledge, and resources to actively advocate for their children’s education. If you are a parent looking for better school choice options, support, guidance, or someone who wants to get involved or support this cause, we are here for you.

Visit us at ceamteam.org and showmeschooloptions.org.

Get involved. Reach out. Ask questions. Share your story.

Because when parents speak up, change happens.

What if every school in Missouri received a simple A–F grade—just like a student report card?

That idea is gaining real momentum, and it could fundamentally change how families understand school performance.

In this episode of One Good Idea, host Peter Franzen sits down with Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of ExcelinEd—the national education reform organization founded by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Patricia helped design and implement Florida’s landmark A–F grading system.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What A–F School Report Cards are (and what they’re not)

• How Florida went from a bottom-10 state in student performance to a top-10 state—and what Missouri can learn

• Why simple letter grades drive accountability, media attention, and real improvement

• How to respond to critics who say the system oversimplifies school performance

• What Missouri policymakers need to get right as they consider codifying Governor Kehoe’s executive order into law

Listen to the episode:

If you care about transparency, accountability, and better outcomes for Missouri students, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

We’ll be sharing more ideas, stories, and updates to help Missouri families navigate their school options—subscribe to stay informed.