School Policy Battle Won in Seattle

On November 21, Seattle’s School Board passed an anti-commercialism initiative that was five years in the making. In 1996, the Seattle School Board, facing a $35 million budget shortfall, signed the “Advertising and Corporate Sponsorship Policy Act,” opening schools up to corporate advertising and sponsorship.

One year later, parents, educators and activists formed the Citizens Campaign for Commercial Free Schools (CCCS). Since its inception, the group has grown to over 1,000 members including 65 educator groups and a dozen state legislators. The group’s proposed anti-commercialism policies include prohibiting ads, logos and Channel One from 100 Seattle schools.

“We need these policies in place in Seattle,” says educator and activist Brita Butler-Wall. “Commercialism in our schools amounts to the privatization of public space and child abuse.”

Coke Forced To Announce Changes In Schools

Across the Country, Coke Locked Out

World's Largest Teachers' Union Joins the Fight

Introducing Our New Senior Program Director

Center Portrait: New Youth Advisory Board Members Declare: 'YOUTH AREN'T FOR SALE!'

Center Releases Sample Policies on Advertising in Schools

Scholastic Drops Golden Marble Sponsorship After National Protest

Local Victories: Actions Against Classroom Advertising

Seven Ways to Fight Commercialism in Your District

Special Feature: Victories & Actions Map 2001 (1.6MB Adobe PDF)

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