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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.

Media stories about the state of public education abound. So how do we make decisions and engage in critical conversations about the future of our public schools and society? We must be discerning about the information around us. Thinking about what information is provided, the source, why a story is developed, and whose perspective is represented and whose is missing can be valuable in evaluating accuracy and reliability and in understanding the intent behind media information.

Every child in the United States has a right to an equitable (fair and just) public education. With education currently under assault from the current administration, we all have a responsibility to advocate for inclusive public schools in which all children are supported.

May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. We encourage uplifting the histories and lived experiences of AAPI communities. Heritage months are an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of people and cultures that contribute to the rich tapestry of the United States. Our updated resource page offers a place to start for learning more and teaching about AAPI stories.

Millions of young people in the United States are children of immigrant families. And many immigrant children are feeling high levels of fear and anxiety right now due to the current anti-immigrant political environment. All students in the U.S. have a right to public education, “regardless of a child’s or guardian’s citizenship, immigration status, or English language proficiency. These rights were upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in its landmark 1982 decision in Plyler v.

States are primarily responsible for education, but the U.S. Department of Education is the federal agency that plays a vital role in establishing policies, ensuring accountability and promoting equal access to education. The establishment of the department as a Cabinet-level agency in 1980 emphasized the federal government’s commitment to, and our national prioritization of, education.