Public education is a pillar of children’s lives and a pathway to greater opportunity for children. Our schools not only teach academics, but also provide children environments that make them and their families feel safe, valued, engaged, challenged, healthy and connected.
Public schools offer a range of services that help families raise healthy, thriving children, including preventive health screenings, support for English-language learners, specialized services for children with disabilities and mental health supports.
In the face of federal attacks, The Children’s Partnership is committed to improving and strengthening the important role schools play in supporting the health and well-being of all children in the United States, regardless of zip code, race, ethnicity or gender.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a strong statement supporting California’s students:
Rest assured: I will not let President Trump’s reckless efforts to fulfill his campaign promises come at the expense of the health, education, and well-being of our kids…. Last week, we sued the Trump Administration over the mass firing of Department of Education workers – another step in its end goal of dismantling the Department from within. And we will continue to take all necessary legal action to protect the rights of students in California and across the nation.
Public systems like education are essential to achieve the promise of our country. The Department of Education was created to improve the quality of education for all students and make sure there is accountability and transparency across states.
Education is our most important national investment…. Our ability to advance both economically and technologically, our country’s entire intellectual and cultural life depend on the success of our great educational enterprise.
President Jimmy Carter, on the founding of the Department of Education
At The Children’s Partnership, we believe in transformation of public systems to better support all our children, and the dismantling of barriers that stop systems from serving children and families’ needs.
We can transform public systems to eliminate barriers and improve access to health care, food, housing, mental health care, income and social supports.
We can dismantle the racism embedded in our social, economic and political systems to improve children’s health, especially children from historically marginalized communities of color.
Our public schools are and can be places of nurturing that welcome all families, including immigrant families, LGBTQ families and low-income families. We are here to protect and defend the places that support healthy children; strong families; and safe, welcoming communities.
Read More:
- Understanding the Role and Responsibilities of the Department of Education, from the Southern Poverty Law Center
- Department of Education, California-specific Fact Sheet from EdTrust
- Explorable Map of What California Stands to Lose, from EdTrust
- Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order to Dismantle U.S. Department of Education from CA Attorney General Rob Bonta
