Add your name to say you support a
revolution in public education in this country. When we act, others in the
Democratic Party and across the country follow. Say you support my Thurgood
Marshall Plan for Public Education in America.
David
-
In my
view, a quality public education available to all is fundamental to any
democratic civilized society. In the deepest sense, a nation that does not
educate its children properly will fail.
And,
in that regard, we ARE failing. Today, out of 35 major countries throughout the
world, the U.S. ranks 30th in math, 24th in reading, and 19th in science. And,
because far too many of our schools are becoming re-segregated, if you are a
student of color, the chances are your math, science, and reading scores are even
lower.
So why
is it that the billionaires of this country get huge tax breaks, but our
children get broken chairs, flooded classrooms and inadequate support staff in
their schools?
Why is
it that our teachers are paid the lowest salaries of any major country on Earth
and the top 25 hedge fund managers in this country make more money than the
combined salaries of every kindergarten teacher?
Why is
it that we allow charter schools to siphon public money out of public schools —
often with worse results — simply to enrich Wall Street executives, Silicon
Valley CEOs and billionaires like the DeVos family?
Why is
it that 65 years after the Brown v. Board of Education decision, we
still have shameful funding disparities and segregation in our school systems?
Why is
it that one in every six children go hungry and instead of addressing this
crisis, students with lunch debt are sometimes denied meals and have debt
collectors sent after their families?
We
need a revolution in public education in this country.
What
we accept as normal today with regard to education, I want your grandchildren
to tell you that you were crazy to accept.
Because
the truth is, the world is changing. Technology is changing. Our economy is
changing. And if we are to succeed in a highly competitive global economy, then
I believe that a high-quality education must be available to every child —
starting at the age of three years old and through college — and not just the
privilege of wealthy families.
Last
weekend, I rolled out what I am calling “A Thurgood Marshall Plan for Public
Education” during a trip to South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and
Alabama.
It is
a comprehensive kindergarten through 12th grade education plan that will end
educational disparities in our country and guarantee a great education to every
child as a human right, regardless of zip code.
We are
going to:
- Combat racial discrimination and school
segregation by
increasing, not cutting, funding for community-driven strategies to
desegregate schools.
- Ban for-profit charter schools and institute a moratorium on
public funds for charter school expansion.
- Guarantee a certain minimum level of
education funding per student no matter where you live or if your property taxes
are low or high.
- Strengthen the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act to guarantee children with disabilities an equal
right to a high-quality education.
- Give teachers a much deserved raise with a starting salary of no less
than $60,000 tied to cost of living, years of service and other
qualifications.
- Expand after school and summer education
programs because
research shows that quality programs give students the skills they need to
succeed.
- Provide year-round, free universal school
meals and offer
incentives for sourcing food locally where possible.
- Provide annual funding for community
school programs that offer a holistic, fun-service approach to
learning and the well-being of our young people.
- Fix our school infrastructure so our kids are not learning in
crumbling schools.
- Make school a safe and inclusive place for all by signing the Student
Non-Discrimination Act, enforcing Title IX, and passing comprehensive gun
safety legislation.
Instead
of giving huge tax breaks to billionaires and profitable corporations, we must
create the best public educational system in the world. Instead of major
increases in military spending, we must invest in our kids.
This
plan does that, and is the boldest plan for public education of any candidate
in this race. I’m proud to be the only candidate who has stood with the NAACP’s
call for a moratorium on federal funding of for-profit charter schools.
The
American Federation of Teachers called this plan “vitally important.” And the
National Education Association praised our plan for investing in schools.
But
getting it passed will take a political revolution in this country, and a
radical change in our national priorities.
The
first step is saying you’re in this fight. Because what we’ve proven in the
past is that when our campaign and supporters pick up an important fight,
others in the party and across the country follow:
Research
shows that the “most efficient means to boost the productivity of the workforce
15 to 20 years down the road is to invest in today’s youngest children.”
So
these ideas are not radical, they are common sense.
Thank
you for joining me in this fight.
In
solidarity,
Bernie
Sanders
Paid for by Bernie 2020
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