Hi John,

Education is the most powerful tool an individual has to break through glass ceilings. But for years our country has created countless obstacles which inhibit a child’s right to a good, quality education.

Sign Here >> Education is a right and should be accessible and affordable for every child.

Our country has to stop playing catch-up and get with the times. In Maine, as in the rest of the country, children living in wealthier areas have access to better teachers, textbooks, and facilities. We have to reimagine a future with an educational system that does not discriminate based on a child’s zip code.

We need to reverse the trend: The quality of education cannot be based on socioeconomic status.

As a mother of three recent college graduates, I understand what it’s like to have children burdened with student debt. The challenges my kids face are those shared by millions of our country’s children. Our education system must ensure that pre-k education is universal, that childcare is affordable, that teachers are compensated fairly for their essential work, and that technical school and a college education is tuition and debt free.

Children must have a good quality education from start to finish. We need to identify education for what it truly is: a fundamental human right.

I hope you’ll join me in making our education system more equitable and affordable.

In solidarity,

Betsy Sweet