The Right’s Long Game to End Public Education
On February 13, 2024, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made a rare public statement about the ongoing attacks on public schools, which are mostly led by rightwing groups. During a meeting with Black journalists, Cardona discussed how recent laws in red states are targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools. These programs are intended to support students from diverse backgrounds, but opponents argue they promote "reverse discrimination."
Cardona described these attacks as deliberate efforts to undermine public schools and create division. He suggested that the aim is to make private schooling seem like a better option for parents, which would weaken public education. Cardona noted that similar tactics have been used in the past, such as arguments against mask mandates and critical race theory.
Many of these attacks are supported by organizations with connections to conservative think tanks and dark money groups, which seek to privatize education. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to replace public schools with private alternatives, often framed as a "civil rights" issue. Historical context shows that this movement has been gaining traction, with influential figures and groups advocating for the end of public education in favor of private options.
The struggle for public schools is now more critical than ever, as reports show a decline in support for democratically governed schools. The push to privatize education challenges the idea of universal, free public schooling, a principle established by Horace Mann in the 19th century. Cardona’s remarks highlight the need for a strong defense of public education against these ongoing threats.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
