The Roles and Responsibilities of the President

The president of the United States is the elected leader of the entire U.S. and must serve all who live here — not merely one constituency. They are responsible to everyone, and we have the reciprocal responsibility of holding the president accountable for everyone’s well-being. This is a central characteristic of living in a democratic society.

To evaluate a president’s ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the office, we must understand the role and responsibilities, powers and limits on power, and systems of accountability. We must also insist on accountability for our state representatives in Congress and those at all levels of government. This new resource, part of our civics series to strengthen democracy, can help. 

Resisting Hate in Education

The Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the presidential pardons and the executive orders that affect many young people and their families remind us of the importance of countering hate in our schools and communities.

The media in today’s political environment is filled with divisive messages, especially from public figures who perpetuate hate along with disinformation. Many of these messages target people based on identity — race and ethnicity, immigration status, sexual and gender identity, religion and more. And young people who are exposed to hate-filled media often struggle to discern facts and participate responsibly in their schools and communities. 

This new resource series offers strategies for prevention, intervention and response to hate and bias. Check out the following new resources and more.

Understanding Antisemitism and Islamophobia in Education