By fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access, the Department of Education is a vital federal agency for the future of our nation.
The Moment
Public Schools Are Essential for Education Justice and a Thriving Democracy
The current administration’s assault on education illustrates public schools’ crucial role in our democracy. Understanding why public schools matter as a common good for our communities and nation is vital to countering efforts — such as the push for school vouchers — to undermine the public education system.
As T. Jameson Brewer, Ph.D., points out: “Schools are sites for exploration of ideas across a range of subject areas … in the quest to facilitate individuals becoming the best they can and living fulfilling lives. And beyond individual self-actualization and upward mobility, education offers collective growth and progress for entire communities.” This possibility of public schools uplifting individuals and communities is worth working toward.
Public schools are an ideal and vital mechanism for achieving a thriving democracy. Learn more with the first of three articles by Brewer on public schools as a common good, which explore the possibilities and threats to public education in the United States.
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Why Public Schools Matter
Public schools are an ideal and vital mechanism for achieving a thriving democracy. This is the first of three articles on public schools as a common good, which explore the possibilities and threats to public education.
Advocating for Public Education
We all have a crucial role in advocating for children’s right to quality public education and equal access to learning.
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Pride Is Resistance
Queer America Podcast
LGBTQ+ people have always existed, but LGBTQ+ history, which is an integral part of the history of the United States, has often been ignored or erased. From Learning for Justice and hosts Leila Rupp and John D’Emilio, Queer America reveals stories of LGBTQ+ life we should have learned in school. This 13-episodes series can help us learn about and teach LGBTQ+ history.