Educators, parents press top presidential candidates to address equity in education
Seven presidential candidates discussed matters of critical importance to the future of public education and the 51 million students in public schools before an audience of more than 1,300 educators, students, and union members at a forum in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
The “Public Education Forum 2020: Equity and Opportunity for All,” hosted by MSNBC at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, focused on issues of public education, and specifically economic, racial, and social justice that affect educators, students, and their families. Sen. Michael Bennet, Vice Pres. Joe Biden, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren addressed their plans for K-12 and higher education.
Following an opening statement, each candidate answered questions posed by audience members and moderators Ali Velshi, host of “MSNBC Live,” and Rehema Ellis, NBC News education correspondent. Some questions were submitted by educators, parents, and activists from around the country.
Topics covered include investing in public schools, the services students need for academic success, special education, college debt, and teaching conditions, along with how the candidates would address the persistent gaps in education equity experienced by students across the nation.
The National Education Association worked with 10 other public education groups to keep the candidates focused on public education as the primaries draw closer. NEA members account for one in every 100 Americans and one in 39 households, giving them a powerful voice in choosing the next president of the United States. Educators are working hard in the 2020 election cycle to ensure that students and their well-being are a priority for all candidates and for all voters. Find out more at StrongPublicSchools.org .
Here are highlights from the forum: CONTINUE READING: Educators, parents press top presidential candidates to address equity in education - Education Votes
