Why Public Schools Matter

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.
Learning the honest history of our nation helps us understand our diversity and strengthens us all as we work toward building on more solid national foundation of truth and justice. As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, the Learning for Justice page offers resource to learn and teach about the diversity of Indigenous cultures and communities. To explore our historical complexity, the recent magazine article, “American Patriotic Songs: Context and Perspective,” helps us to confront the various perspectives that a single patriotic song can embody.
Immigration has been at the front of the national conversation for years. Many immigrant children experience challenges adjusting to a new country and culture and being fully included in schools. In families without immigration documentation, the fear of family separation, arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and deportation continues to cause anxiety among children and their families.
May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. In celebration, we’ve updated our AAPI resource page. Learn about the experiences of AAPI communities and explore their impact on the United States. We hope you’ll uplift the diverse histories, cultures, identities and stories of AAPI communities—not only in May but all year round.