Diverse Group of Students, Parents & Activists Gather for Signing Ceremony
The White House. Washington, DC. Representatives from every education sector and level of government from cities to states and were part of a ceremony to launch the effort directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon take all legal steps possible to narrow the scope of the department and wind it down. It also instructs the Secretary to ensure continued delivery of programs and civil rights protections.
Among those gathered were students and faculty from two award-winning schools, Yass Prize semifinalists Liguori Academy, an independent school in Philadelphia’s Kensington Neighborhood which personalizes learning and builds workforce partnerships for disadvantaged students and Friendship Public Charter School in Washington DC, the first among black-led charters in the nation.
Their involvement is representative of the general belief among exceptional school leaders from every sector that politics has no business when it comes to education excellence. Said Friendship Charter CEO Pat Brantley, “I may not agree with every policy of any administration, but this much I know in my heart: when we trust our educators and empower our parents, our children thrive – and when our children thrive, our nation succeeds.”
“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to participate in this exciting event celebrating the roles of states in expanding education opportunities and putting parents back in the driver’s seat,” said CER’s Jeanne Allen, whose statement Wednesday night elaborated on the Executive Order’s importance.
“We have witnessed firsthand the power of innovation at the local level – from urban communities to suburban and rural districts…and have seen what happens when freedom, flexibility, and opportunity drive outcomes versus federal oversight driving compliance.
“Just as SpaceX transformed space travel when bureaucratic constraints were lifted, education can now be revolutionized by empowering those closest to students: parents and educators.
“This Executive Order is not just a policy shift – it’s an opportunity to innovate and pursue policies that are both proven and as yet unknown but hold the potential to reshape education for generations to come.”
For more information about CER’s mission, programs and initiatives, visit edreform.com and stopforeducation.org.