The American Federation for Children recently launched a Parents Know Best campaign. It provides parents with the resources they need to combat politicians and special-interests groups “who presume they are better equipped to make decisions about how and where children should be educated than are the families themselves.”
The campaign kicked off with a special video documenting recent statements from special-interest group leaders about parents being ill-equipped to take the lead in choosing schools they think are best for their children.
Debbie Squires, Michigan Elementary and Middle Schools Principals Association director, testified that parents “may not know what actually is best.” (12 seconds) Ann Laing, Racine Unified School District Superintendent, stated that Milwaukee public-school parents have not made good choices about their children. (18 seconds)
To low-income parents who want the best possible education for their children, the New Jersey Education Association Director Vincent Giodano (30 seconds) says that “life’s not always fair”—especially given that Giodano earns a half-million dollar salary, according to published reports, and his organization spent more than $11 million last year alone opposing a variety of educational choice programs designed to empower parents.
“We believe it is essential to support families in their journey toward figuring out the best educational option for their children, and to make sure that they are not bullied by special interests intent on maintaining the educational status quo,” said Kevin P. Chavous, a senior adviser to the American Federation for Children.
Campaigns like AFC’s Parents Know Best help level the playing field for families and students.