Time to Advocate for Public Education

First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me

Pastor Martin Niemöller

As a lifelong educator and school leader, I know that our country needs an informed citizenry so we can address the many challenges which our world faces, now and in the future. Public education  provides every child with opportunities to learn and to succeed and to be productive and contributing members of society regardless of their gender, race, socioeconomic status, or religion. Every child, even those with special needs, deserves that opportunity. That is what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is about - including every child and providing a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) so they can succeed. 

With the new administration in Washington, D.C., we are experiencing questionable executive orders such as the termination of federal workers, no birthright citizenship (which is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment), tariffs on goods from other countries that threaten the livelihood of American businesses, termination of DEI, and most concerning to me as an educator, threatening to close the Department of Education. The claim that "the U.S. is dead last" on test scores is not supported by facts. 

School districts are scrambling to figure out how to provide funding for special education, Title I which serves students from low-income households, English Language Learner programs, and teacher professional learning opportunities. Additionally, the federal DOE provides Pell Grants, making it possible for students from low-income households to attend college. 

In the best possible scenario, it would be the public schools, the staff, students, and families who would be leading the charge against the termination of the federal Department of Education. 

But, I am afraid we haven't done a very good job of educating our students to believe that they can be change agents. This is their education. They should be concerned, they should be discussing this in class, and they should be spurred to action. After all, our public schools are a microcosm of society, and our elected leaders need to realize that though they may not yet be of voting age, our students' time will come and they will be more aware of the issues and the need to vote. Imagine the administration and Congress in D.C. being inundated with letters from students. Maybe on a specific day throughout the country, students and families could march in favor of public education. Wouldn't that send a message?

Unfortunately, though, public schools are under scrutiny in many areas which has led to teacher anxiety. Discussions involving sensitive or controversial topics such as race relations, gender identity, or climate change can lead to a teacher's dismissal. Book bans in communities are not uncommon, and although it is illegal to fire someone for being LGBTQ, teachers can feel unsupported and may be compelled to resign for their own mental health. Schools or teachers in these areas may face backlash for participating in peaceful protests even if their survival depends on the federal Department of Education providing funding to their schools. 

Martin Niemöller, a Lutheran pastor, wrote the poem above after he was arrested in 1937 and spent several years in concentration camps. He originally was a Nazi supporter but became critical of their interference into church matters. This poem is, I believe, a stern reminder to all of us that we need to speak up if we believe something is not right. We are in a critical time in our country's history. We have touted ourselves to the rest of the world as the land of opportunity where anyone can achieve "the American Dream," The truth is that many groups are still marginalized and lack a voice to speak for themselves. Our children are our future, and if we don't speak up now, we could rob them of the opportunities to achieve their dreams for a better tomorrow. They depend on us. Let's all speak up and ensure that the federal Department of Education is NOT eliminated by this administration.