On this Valentine’s Day, we wanted to share a love letter about our nation’s public schools!
Public schools serve many purposes. They prepare students for the workforce or higher education, and to be informed participants in our democracy. They provide child care, meals, transportation, health screenings, counseling, and access to sports and the arts. They are community centers, polling places, and emergency shelters. At the root of all of this, our public schools exist to serve the common good.
Parents for Public Schools (PPS) was founded over 30 years ago by a group of parents and community members in Jackson, Mississippi, who believed in the power of public schools. Since then, PPS has grown into a nationwide organization with chapters and partners from coast to coast. We have spent decades helping people understand how to advocate for and strengthen our public schools, and at a time when public schools have come under attack, we believe our work is more important than ever.
Here’s how we plan to continue fighting for public schools in 2026 and how you can help:
Protecting Federal Funding for Public Schools
We believe schools should have the resources they need to support all students. Last year, the federal government temporarily froze federal funds right before the new school year started. In the fall, Congress proposed a 27% cut to Title I, which provides crucial funding for schools in low-income communities. But thanks to calls and emails from people like you, this month Congress passed a spending bill without cuts in education funding! Click here to thank members of Congress for supporting public education because we don’t want them to consider cuts like this ever again!
Ensuring Public Funds Are Used for Public Schools
We oppose any effort to divert public funding to private schools. Last year, Congress approved a new tax credit to use public tax dollars for private school vouchers. Click here to learn more about this tax credit and why we’re encouraging states to opt out.
Safeguarding Students’ Rights
We also believe schools should be safe and welcoming for everyone, and we oppose any effort to discriminate against students or families. It is especially important at this time to ensure the safety and protection of our most vulnerable students, including immigrants and students with disabilities. In January, we signed onto a letter asking Congress to ensure that the Department of Education remains intact because one of the Department’s chief responsibilities is to protect students’ civil rights.
Lifting Up Parents and Community Members
Finally, we believe that parents and community members should be active participants in our public schools. Our focus is on collaboration, and we see families, community members, and schools as partners in the education of our children. And we can help! From our Public Schools 101 workshops to our Parent Engagement Program (PEP), our programming gives families the knowledge and skills needed to become leaders and effective advocates for public schools. If you are interested in partnering with us, please click here to get in touch.