During America’s 250th, remember public ed is cornerstone of American Dream
By Chandra Madafferi, President & CEO, Michigan Education Association
As America turns 250, we should acknowledge the critical role public education has played in making our nation the global leader it is today, and why we as a country must recommit ourselves to strengthening every single school — so that every single student has a shot at the American Dream.
When we think about the “American Dream,” we think of a place with limitless possibilities, where no matter where you come from, you have just as much of a shot as the next person. A nation where you can chart your own course, pick your own profession and choose your own adventure.
While we hold that kind of freedom and liberty as our ideal, the reality is that we have a lot of work to do before everyone can truly pursue happiness. That’s where the whole idea of public education comes in; by leveling the playing field, we can come closer to achieving true and long-lasting equality.
However, the playing field right now is far from level — and it’s becoming increasingly tilted against families in low-income rural and urban areas, as well as against students with disabilities.
Everyone agrees we must restore our nation’s international standing in public education. While I’ll put our best against their best any day of the week, nations like Norway are overtaking us in overall rankings because they focus on creating opportunities for every student and meeting each learner’s unique needs. In other words, they’ve created a fair system that gives every student the opportunity to fulfill their own promise.
This is why federal support for our local schools is so critical — to make sure that a kid in Michigan has just as much opportunity to succeed as a kid in Massachusetts or Missouri, and vice versa. Making sure each of those students has equal access to the American Dream is the most patriotic thing we can do — and it’s why we need that federal layer of oversight and support.
For nearly 50 years, our nation has protected students with disabilities like autism, ADHD and physical disabilities, children in low-income communities, girls, and other often-marginalized students through the U.S. Department of Education. The Department and much of its high-profile efforts over the years — including ensuring appropriate support and rights for students with disabilities and Title IX protections to protect against gender discrimination — are built on the foundation of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which guarantees every American “equal protection of the laws.”
Sadly, over the past 18 months, the Department has been dismantled and defunded, with many functions either moved to far-away federal agencies or eliminated completely. This means support for our most vulnerable students (and for their families) has been unraveling at a rapid pace. Each thread pulled leaves fewer kids able to reach for the stars.
I would even agree that the Department of Education has been far from perfect over the years, but it needs reform and support — not elimination. The stakes are too high for American students for anything less.
Rather than taking away support for students from early childhood through higher education, we need increased federal support for our hometown public schools. Making sure federal education support is transparent, accountable and a good investment for taxpayers is a must – and a properly structured and funded U.S. Department of Education can provide that in communities across the United States.
As we come together to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, let’s recommit to the ideal of public education and its core principle of opportunity for all. Together, we can make the American Dream a reality for every American student.
Labor Voices
Labor Voices columns are written on a rotating basis by United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, Michigan Education Association President Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Executive Secretary-Treasurer Tom Lutz and selected Service Employees International Union members.
