Fund and Strengthen Public Education — Our Children Deserve Better

I am writing to demand that you prioritize and strengthen the U.S. Department of Education and ensure quality public education for every child in America — no matter their zip code. Our nation’s future depends on it. Right now, America is falling behind other developed countries in educational outcomes. According to the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), U.S. students rank below the global average in math and only average in reading and science. Countries such as Finland, Singapore, South Korea, and Canada consistently outperform us — not because their children are more capable, but because their governments invest more in teachers, equitable funding, and modernized public schools. The United States should lead the world in education, not lag behind it. Yet chronic no underfunding, overcrowded classrooms, outdated materials, and low teacher pay have created a crisis that is robbing millions of children of opportunity. A child’s access to quality education should never depend on their family’s income or the wealth of their local district. Teachers are the backbone of our education system, but they are underpaid, overworked, and too often forced to spend their own money on classroom supplies. We cannot expect excellence in education while treating our educators as expendable. Competitive pay, strong benefits, and professional respect must be the standard, not the exception. Congress must: 1. Fully fund public education to ensure every school — rural, suburban, and urban — has the resources needed to help students succeed. 2. Protect and strengthen the Department of Education to maintain nationwide standards, equity, and accountability. 3. Increase teacher pay and invest in professional development to attract and retain high-quality educators. 4. Modernize schools and technology so students are prepared for the demands of a 21st-century economy. Education is the foundation of democracy and the engine of innovation. If we continue to neglect it, we jeopardize our nation’s competitiveness, economy, and social fabric. It’s time for Congress to stand up for America’s children — not with slogans, but with action and funding that matches the urgency of the moment. Fund our schools. Pay our teachers. Protect our future.