We’re disappointed—but not surprised—by President Trump’s comments about public schools in the 2020 State of the Union Address. By characterizing public schools as “failing government schools” and praising “school choice in the form of Opportunity Scholarships”, the President is abandoning the millions of students across the country who won’t receive the “benefits" of the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunities Act.

At Student Voice, we believe in the power of equitable and accessible public education to create opportunity and shape a brighter future for our world. Across the country, students have continually testified to the enormous, positive impact public schools have had on their lives. In Charleston, S.C., a student said "I'm undoubtedly the product of public education gone right" in discussing her own educational journey. In Murray, Ky., a student explained that the “community dynamic” of her small public school allowed her to thrive in her learning experience.

We know that for our society to succeed, we must be equipping students to address the opportunity gaps in “government schools” now. That’s why this year, we’re working harder than ever to train and to equip students as storytellers, organizers and institutional partners who advocate for student-driven solutions to educational inequity.

Will you join our work in uplifting student voices around the bright spots of public education as well as supporting students who are addressing the critical gaps? In 2020, we are calling on our community to become monthly sustainers.

Whether your contribution is $5 or $100 monthly, your donation is essential to shaping the movement. You can show your support for public schools with our new “support students” tote bag that we’ll send to each new monthly sustainer.