Public Education
The Church Speaks to Public Education Justice
As we think about whether American society embodies Jesus' teaching that we should love our neighbors as ourselves, we need to be concerned about public schools, the primary institution where we have agreed to nurture and shape God's precious children. Public schools are our largest public institution, serving nearly fifty million children.
In the national conversation about public education, our role in the church is special. We are concerned about our schools as an ethical and public policy matter. How do they embody attitudes about race and poverty, power and privilege, and cultural dominance and marginalization, and how do disparities in public investment reflect these attitudes?
The United Church of Christ has spoken prophetically to name poverty and racism as among the primary causes of injustice in our nation's schools. General Synod 15 warned: "While
April 24, 2012: Sign on to a statement calling on federal and state policymakers to reduce standardized testing in public schools. The United Church of Christ Justice & Witness Ministries is one of this effort’s sponsors, that also include Advancement Project, Asian American Legal Defense and Education fund; FairTest; Forum for Education and Democracy; NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund; National Education Association, and Parents Across America, along with a number of statewide organizations and educators Diane Ravitch and Deborah Meier. Add your name as an individual signer. Your organization may also sign on. Diane Ravitch covers this sign-on resolution in her April 24, Bridging Differences blog.
