Every kid in America should have the same access to a high-quality public education -- no matter what zip code they live in, the color of their skin, or how much money their parents make.
Growing up in Oklahoma, all I ever wanted was to be a public school teacher.
My life had a lot of twists and turns along the way, but after I graduated from a public university where tuition cost only $50 a semester, I got to live my dream as a special education teacher at a public school in New Jersey.
I believe in America's public schools, and I believe that every kid in America should have the same access to a high-quality public education — no matter what zip code they live in, the color of their skin, or how much money their parents make.
And right now, we're not living up to that promise.
Betsy DeVos has been a disaster as Secretary of Education, but the truth is that funding for public K-12 education has been both inadequate and inequitable for a long, long time. Right now, we're failing to treat public school teachers, paraprofessionals, and school staff like the professionals that they are. We need to pay them well, listen to them, and give them the support that they need.
We can do so much better for our students, our educators, and our communities, so that's why today I'm releasing my K-12 public education plan that will:
Fund schools adequately and equitably so that all students have access to a great public education.
Renew the fight against segregation and discrimination in our schools.
Provide a warm, safe, and nurturing school climate for all our kids.
Treat teachers and staff like the professionals they are.
Stop the privatization and corruption of our public education system.
And it would all be paid for by the Ultra-Millionaire Tax, a two cent tax on fortunes above $50 million.
→ First, we're going to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into our public schools (paid for by the Ultra-Millionaire Tax).
That means we'll be able to quadruple Title I funding — an additional $450 billion over the next 10 years — to help every child get a high-quality public education. And we'll make that additional funding conditional on states improving their commitment to educational funding themselves.
We'll finally make good on our promise to fully fund IDEA — committing an additional $20 billion a year to ensure that students with disabilities receive the educational services they are entitled to.
My plan would invest an additional $100 billion in "Excellence Grants", which would give schools the chance to invest in programs and resources that they believe are most important to their students.
Finally, my plan would invest at least an additional $50 billion in infrastructure in schools across the country, targeted at those that need it most.
→ We'll renew the fight against segregation and discrimination in our public schools.
Integrated communities help create a society built on mutual respect and understanding, and integrated schools — which are demanded by our Constitution's guarantee of equal protection to every person in this country — improve educational outcomes for students of all races.
That's why I'm committed to strengthening Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race in any program or activity that receives federal funding — and reviving robust enforcement of its terms.
My plan uses federal education funding to encourage states to further integrate their schools, and my administration will strictly enforce the right of students with disabilities to a free and appropriate public education and will protect the rights of LGBTQ+ students, English Language Learners, and immigrant students and their families.
→ We'll ensure every student has the opportunity to learn in a traditional public school that's welcoming and safe.
My plan will expand access to early childhood services and education, eliminate high-stakes testing, and cancel student breakfast and lunch debt to ensure the federal government plays its part in trying to bring a positive and nurturing climate to every school.
We'll also create safer environments for our students by ending zero-tolerance discipline policies, establishing more School-Based Health Centers in communities in health professional shortage areas, providing better access to career and college readiness, and addressing chronic absenteeism without punishing parents or children.
→ My plan works with states to sustainably improve pay and support for all public school educators — and as president, I will fight for our educators and treat them like the professionals that they are.
That means making sure that classrooms are well-equipped with resources and support so that teachers aren't paying for school supplies out of pocket. We'll also ensure that anyone can become a teacher without drowning in student loan debt.
In a Warren Administration, public educators will have a seat at the table — and that starts with strengthening the ability of educators to organize and bargain. And we're going to invest in students by investing in our educators — by providing continuing education and professional development opportunities to all school staff and building up a more diverse educator and school leadership pipeline.
→ To keep our traditional public school systems strong, we must resist efforts to divert public funds out of traditional public schools.
We have a responsibility to provide great neighborhood schools for every student. Under my plan, we'll eliminate the charter school funding program and end federal funding to the expansion of charter schools.
We'll ban for-profit charter schools, end privatization, corporatization, and profiteering in our nation's schools and crack down on corruption and anti-competitive practices in the education industry.
It's time to live up to the promise of a high-quality public education for every student. My plan makes the big, structural changes that will help give every student, teacher, and school administrator the resources they need to thrive.
Elizabeth doesn't accept contributions from PACs of any kind or federally registered lobbyists. This grassroots movement is powered by supporters like you. Chip in now to help build our movement.
