A Match on Dry Grass: Community Organizing for School Reform

In neighborhoods from Chicago’s South Side to the sunbaked fields of the Mississippi Delta, persistent school failure gnaws at children’s dreams like dry grass catching sparks in a drought. In A Match on Dry Grass, authors Warren and Mapp—and their collaborator researchers—spark a bold vision for school reform that builds true power in low-income communities. Based on rich case studies in New York City, Los Angeles, Denver, San Jose, and beyond, they show how parents and students transform from bystanders into neighborhood architects—leading bus-stop rallies, negotiating with school boards under humming gymnasium lights, and forging alliances that bridge classroom and church. Through these vivid stories of grassroots resilience and organized hope, readers witness how community organizing tackles Education Equity, Racial Justice, and Economic Justice at their roots, planting sturdy common-sense solutions that outlast federal policies and flashing headlines. Warren and Mapp offer clear blueprints for nurturing school-community collaborations that spark lasting change, reminding us that a single match of organized energy can blaze a new path to democratic schools. Tap the Save to List button to bookmark this title, or tap the External Link button to view purchase and rental options.