Conservatives are going on offense when it comes to K-12 education after far too long of letting the left call the shots. Over the past few years, 14 conservative-controlled states have successfully signed universal (or near-universal) school choice into law, empowering parents with choice regarding their children’s education.
Most recently, President Trump has been leading the charge with executive orders that set the template for a new day in K-12 education in the United States. Furthermore, his mandate to dismantle the Department of Education is anything but sitting back in a two-three zone, continuing to allow the far left to take open shots at the hearts and minds of American children through the public education system.
Last month, at the Conservative Vision of Education Conference, The Heritage Foundation released “The Phoenix Declaration: An American Vision for Education.” The declaration states, “In this time of moral and political crises, when too many schools have lost their way, it is the responsibility of America’s parents, educators, and policymakers to recommit ourselves to the central purposes of education.”
It outlines seven key principles that “should guide American families, schools, and policymakers” regarding education. They are as follows: parental choice and responsibility, transparency and accountability, truth and goodness, cultural transmission, character formation, academic excellence, and citizenship. These principles are essential because, as the declaration reads, “America’s system of self-government is predicated upon an informed and virtuous citizenry.”
Although conservatives are going on offense, they are not letting up on defense. If anything, they have been running a full-court press with renewed energy and success since Jan. 20, when Mr. Trump returned to the Oval Office. The tenacious defense shuts down the left’s ability to advance their agenda at will. Conservatives are united as a team across the nation and competing like champions to combat the woke ideologies and misplaced priorities that have gone unchecked and even been prompted by past administrations.
The Phoenix Declaration notes, “Education is the cornerstone of individual opportunity, family flourishing, and national prosperity.” Yet 7 out of 10 public school eighth-graders can’t read proficiently or do math on grade level despite the government spending nearly $1 trillion annually. Continuing this course will not lead to opportunity, flourishing or prosperity. A new day is needed.
Unlike decades ago, conservatives now provide the vision and leadership for the future of American education. The result will be a win for children.