How to Stand Up to Project 2025 and Save Public Education
Dec 12, 2024
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Stacey welcomes Kate Nazemi, a dynamic parent and co-founder of Advocates for Inclusive Education, and Jon Valant, a K-12 education policy expert from the Brookings Institution. They dive into the risks posed by Project 2025 on public education, discussing potential changes to student rights and funding. The conversation highlights the importance of local engagement, from school board meetings to grassroots activism, as a means to protect education in light of political shifts. Listeners are encouraged to take action and stay informed.
The discussion highlights the urgent need for grassroots advocacy to defend public education against threats posed by political changes like Project 2025.
Federal funding is critical for educational equity, as programs like Title I support at-risk students, making their potential removal a significant concern.
Local activism, including attending school board meetings and mobilizing community support, is essential for preserving inclusive educational standards and students' rights.
Deep dives
The Importance of Defending Public Education
The potential threats to public education have become a major concern among communities, particularly with proposals aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. Key issues include calls to reduce federal funding for schools and the desire to eliminate protections for marginalized students, such as those with disabilities. Public education is viewed not just as a service, but as a lifeline that shapes futures and opportunities for all children, regardless of their background. The episode highlights the urgent need for advocacy to ensure the preservation and enhancement of public education.
Local Activism and Community Response
Local activists are stepping up to combat censorship and policy changes that threaten education quality and inclusivity. For instance, individuals like Kate Nazimi have mobilized their communities to address measures such as book bans and censorship in schools, creating organizations to support public education. By attending school board meetings and rallying public support, activists work to ensure that diverse narratives remain part of the curriculum. This grassroots approach demonstrates the vital role communities play in safeguarding educational standards and advocating for students' rights.
Understanding Federal Funding and Protections
The conversation highlights the critical role of federal funding in leveling the educational playing field, especially for schools serving low-income populations. With approximately 10% of school funding derived from federal sources, programs like Title I are essential for providing resources to at-risk students. The potential removal or weakening of these federal protections would disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities, sparking concerns about ongoing educational equity. Experts argue that the dismantling of such programs would not only harm students in specific areas but could exacerbate inequalities nationwide.
Political Landscape and Its Impact on Education Policy
The discussion reveals a shifting political landscape that threatens civil rights protections within education, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ students. With the promising threat from a new administration, policies such as Title IX could face reinterpretation that negatively impacts protections against discrimination. The uncertainty surrounding federal policy implementation raises alarms about the future of educational safeguards. Local activists are advised to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing these political changes, ensuring that all students have access to a fair and inclusive educational environment.
Empowering Individuals to Make a Difference
The episode emphasizes that community members can take significant actions to influence their local education systems, such as running for school board positions or organizing public comment efforts. Many local legislators and school board members are accessible, allowing concerned citizens to voice their opinions and advocate for necessary changes. Building relationships within the community and mobilizing around shared values can create a powerful grassroots movement for better education. The call to action encourages individuals, including youth, to harness their voices, engage in community efforts, and actively participate in shaping educational outcomes.
Stacey talks to Kate Nazemi, a local education activist and parent, and Jon Valant, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, about the future of public education during a second Trump Administration. They break down Project 2025’s education policy prescriptions, the threats to the Department of Education, and what changes a President can and cannot make. Then, they discuss how to best get involved at the local level to make change in your community – from attending local school board meetings, to writing to your local representatives.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show.
Learn & Do More:
Check out the work of Advocates For Inclusive Education @afiebucks on Instagram, or at their website
Make a list of people in your network and community that are working to do good, or could be potential partners for good.
Follow the work of Jon Valant and The Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, or check out Chalkbeat, a nonprofit newsroom devoted to covering education across the United States.
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