US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona kicked off a back-to-school bus tour in Wisconsin this week to highlight the importance of public education. Read his excellent OpEd here or excerpts below: 

“Public education is one of the most powerful engines driving the American Dream. From our nation’s astronauts to artists, scientists to writers, engineers to musicians — countless young Americans have discovered their incredible potential in our public schools.

But for as long as public schools have been pillars of our communities and cornerstones of our democracy, there have also been people seeking to undermine them. Attacks on public education have reached a fever pitch in recent years. We face a choice between two visions for public education: one that’s ambitious and inclusive, and one that divides and leaves students behind.

First, there’s a profoundly hopeful vision: one where a local public school is tightly woven in the fabric of its community. In this vision, students get the quality core instruction they need to excel academically, teachers are well qualified and supported in their professional development, and every child’s mental health and social and emotional development is supported…

But in the Badger State, as in several other states, there is another, competing vision and reality: one where inadequate state funding for public schools has forced communities to raise their own property taxes to keep schools afloat and lights on. This is, in part, thanks to an extensive school voucher system – the first of its kind in the United States – where public money foots bills for private schools, often with little oversight or accountability for school performance. 

… This thinking is not just out-of-touch with the lives of students and families today; it has real consequences. Underfunded schools, which serve a disproportionate number of disadvantaged students, already struggle to afford basic needs like school supplies, infrastructure upgrades, or fully certified staff, afterschool programs, and high-quality academic programs. Where does a kid growing up in a rural town, where public schools may be the only option, learn? What happens to the kid with autism, who is turned away from private schools who choose not to accommodate them? What happens to the students of color and first-generation college kids, like I was, who find role models, mentors, and new futures in their neighborhood public school teachers, coaches, and other parents?

… The future of public education for all our nation’s students is at stake. We must stand up to defend our public schools as the heartbeats of communities and democracy they are.” 

#TeamSOSAZ volunteers are fired up and contacting thousands of voters every week! THANK YOU to these 🤩 Knockstars and 🤩 Callstars (see what we did there?) for putting in serious work to elect pro-public education candidates!

Don’t sit out — get in the game and make an impact on #Election2024. Find an event near you and sign up here: https://sosarizona.org/upcomingevents/ 

Meet Paul, a social studies teacher and incredible door knocker. He started canvassing in July and has continued to show up since school started. Thanks for being a teacher and knocking doors with us, Paul!

NOW is the time to get involved with just 60 days until Election Day 2024: bit.ly/SOSAZvol

#Vote4PublicEd Volunteer Training Series

New to volunteering during an election? Ready to jump in and make a difference? Check out each of the topics for the 6-part series HERE.

THIS WEEKEND!
Where’s the Ballot Party? Making Voting Fun Again!
Sunday, September 8 – 3:00-4:00pm
REGISTER HERE

Next Session:
Paint the Town Red! Window Painting for #Vote4PublicEd Candidates
Sunday, September 15 – 3:00-4:00pm
REGISTER HERE

Every dollar contributed to this fund will go directly towards electing pro-public education candidates up and down the 2024 ballot, from school board to the state legislature.