Resolution 35: Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education
The AFL-CIO pledged on Sept. 11 to join the AFT, parents, and community and civic leaders to help reclaim the promise of public education by fighting for safe, strong neighborhood public schools to meet the needs of all children.
Delegates to the AFL-CIO convention approved the AFT’s “Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education” resolution unanimously.
Instead of failed strategies such as top-down edicts, mass school closures, privatization, attacks on collective bargaining, and increased testing with sanctions instead of support for teachers, the AFT says reclaiming the promise of public education involves:
- Fighting for neighborhood public schools that are safe, welcoming places for teaching and learning.
- Ensuring that teachers and school support staff are well-prepared, are supported, have time to collaborate and have tools, like small class sizes.
- Enabling teachers to teach an engaging curriculum that includes art and music and the sciences.
- Ensuring kids have access to wraparound services to meet their emotional, social and health needs.
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