K-12 Public Education Issues
Preventing Public Education Privatization
The biggest threat to quality education for our students is the ongoing movement to privatize K-12 education systems through charter schools and online education. This is unfortunately a bipartisan movement, where Republicans and profit-motivated Democrats advocate for charter schools, vouchers, and online education under the guise of “School Choice.” As scholars like Diane Ravitch have shown, starting in the late 70s and early-80s, K-12 teachers came under attack by so-called “education disruptors” who are driven by corporate profit-making. The original vision for charter schools was to bolster public education by providing spaces for teacher lead experimentation and student-centered learning, but corporate-profiteers took over that vision. Now, charter schools are siphoning money away from our public school teachers and students and towards charter schools that are often predominantly white, non-unionized, and run by corporations. Online class and education software jumped on the policy bandwagon, especially following the pandemic. Instead of fighting for more support for public education, education software profiteers are 1) forcing students and teachers out of the classroom, 2) providing lower quality education, 3) isolating students from their communities, 4) further segregating our schools on racial ethnic lines, and 5) lining their pockets with our tax-dollars.
Protecting LGBTQIA+ Students
The alt-right conservative attacks on LGBTQIA+ students, especially students who are trans, is ramping up with no end in sight. I am particularly concerned about the so-called “Parents’ Rights” policies that would force teachers to out their students who are trans and non-binary to their parents. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate for youth in foster care, I know that these policies would cause even more kids to be kicked out of their homes and into the care of the social services or, worse, to be pushed into homelessness. As a member of theLGBTQIA+ community, I will be fierce advocate for students’ rights to privacy and education.
Community Schools, Teachers’ Unions, and Prevention Hubs
As a community college teacher and CASA, I have also a range of opportunities for us to support our public education systems through cross-institutional cooperation and partnerships. There is a statewide push to address family obstacles and the need for foster care through prevention. Community schools that are strengthened by unionized teachers and staff offer the prime opportunity to create spaces where social services can be easily accessed by families experiencing obstacles. Community schools offer a wealth of possibilities for strengthening relationships within our neighborhoods and preventing some of the worst outcomes of economic inequality and isolation. When elected, I will be one of the champions of this cause and help us actualize these possibilities for students, families, and San Diego County.