[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 41 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            PUBLIC EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK POCAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2018

  Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, public education is the foundation of our 
21st Century democracy. Our public schools are where our students come 
to be educated in the fullest sense of the word as citizens of this 
great country. We strive every day to make every public school a place 
where we prepare the nation's young people to contribute to our 
society, economy, and citizenry.
  Ninety percent of American children attend public schools. We call on 
local, state, and federal lawmakers to prioritize support for 
strengthening our nation's public schools and empowering local 
education leaders to implement, manage, and lead school districts in 
partnership with educators, parents, and other local education 
stakeholders and learning communities. This support would also provide 
for counseling, extra/co-curricular activities and mental health 
supports that are critical to help students engage in learning.
  We support and value inclusive and safe high-quality public schools 
where children learn to think critically, problem solve, and build 
relationships. We support an environment where all students can succeed 
beginning in the earliest years, regardless of their zip code, the 
color of their skin, native language, disability, gender/gender 
identity, immigration status, religion, or social standing.
  We promote advancing equity and excellence in public education, and 
implementing continuous improvement and evidence-based practices. Every 
child has the right to an education that helps them reach their full 
potential and to attend schools that offer a high quality educational 
experience.
  We support stable, equitable, predictable, and adequate funding for 
great public schools for every student in America so that students have 
inviting classrooms and school libraries with up-to-date resources as 
well as well-prepared and supported educators. These educators include 
teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals who provide a well-rounded 
and complete curriculum and create joy in learning. Our school 
buildings should have class sizes small enough to allow one-on-one 
attention and have access to support services such as health care, 
nutrition, and after-school programs for students who need them.
  We believe that public tax dollars should only support public schools 
that are publicly governed and accountable to parents, educators, and 
communities. In no way should local, state, or federal funding be taken 
away from public schools and given to private schools that are 
unaccountable to the public.
  We reiterate our love for public education and pride in our public 
schools. We will continue to promote the promise and purpose of public 
education, to elevate the great things happening every day in our 
public schools, and to engage communities about strategies that help 
students succeed. We affirm our commitment to fight for resources for 
public schools, and will be steadfast in our efforts to protect 
students and their families, public schools, and our communities from 
any policies that would undermine these values.

                          ____________________