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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.

What does social justice education really mean? The current climate of censorship and disinformation along with attacks on inclusive education makes it crucial for us all to understand the role of education in building a just society that benefits us all.

The anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol reminds us of the importance of strengthening democracy and countering hate. Our resource series Resisting Hate in Education offers strategies for prevention, intervention and response to hate and bias. Explore recent resources on understanding and addressing antisemitism and Islamophobia in schools along with recommendations for supporting young people during tragedies and crisis events. Together, we can engage as a broader community across our differences, build networks to foster resilience and take action to resist hate.

“The reality of racism must be honestly confronted for our society to build a more equitable future for all children.” —Ivory A. Toldson, Ph.D.

“Listening to the perspectives of those with lived experience is key to understanding that disability is not a problem to solve but part of the total human experience to embrace.” —Keith Jones

So how can we improve disability inclusion in social justice and overcome ableism? Jones explains, “As our movement seeks anti-racist legal reform, access to economic sustainability and employment, quality education, reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, we must include people with disabilities—who cut across all intersecting demographics. And we must be intentional in that inclusion.”

Nurturing children requires a community’s efforts to come together, as reflected in the proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.” Our nation’s children deserve love, not just in words but in our actions. These new Learning for Justice magazine articles offer models for parents, caregivers, educators and community members to nurture children’s growth, learning and well-being. And they remind and encourage us that: “[We] are better together and more effective when we work together rather than in isolation.