What's at Stake

Despite numerous problems, public schools are still a vital resource for the promotion of a truly equal and just society, one in which everyone can lead a good life with opportunities for success. For low-income families, immigrants, and people of color in California, public education has been a gateway to hope and a better future. Many of us invest our hopes for our children and our collective future in our public schools. Ultimately we believe that all youth deserve a quality education. 

Our vision of a quality education has many parts. Schools should be free and devoid of academic tracking and tiers based on race or income. Students should be inspired by quality teachers who care and are well trained, and curriculum that challenges them to succeed as well as teaches them about the world, themselves, and to become critical thinkers. The school site should be clean and functioning with nutritious food, onsite health services, and a safe environment. School curriculum should include physical education, the arts, and be connected to the broader community. Students, parents, and the community at large should be embraced and empowered to participate, change, and improve the school and school system.

A system of schools like this will develop a whole generation of confident, smart, healthy people who are engaged with the world around them. This vision of public schools is quickly slipping away from many young people, particularly low-income youth, immigrants, and youth of color. If we could fix the downward spiral of public schools, we would be half the way towards fixing the growing list of social injustices that are impacting many communities.

CFJ Leaders know that challenging the inequalities in our school system takes work on many fronts. We have looked for solutions and developed campaigns both at the local level and the statewide level to make concrete improvements.