In my view, a quality public education available to all is fundamental to any democratic civilized society. In the deepest sense, a nation that does not educate its children properly will fail.

And, in that regard, we ARE failing. Today, out of 35 major countries throughout the world, the U.S. ranks 30th in math, 24th in reading, and 19th in science. And, because far too many of our schools are becoming re-segregated, if you are a student of color, the chances are your math, science, and reading scores are even lower.

So why is it that the billionaires of this country get huge tax breaks, but our children get broken chairs, flooded classrooms and inadequate support staff in their schools?

Why is it that our teachers are paid the lowest salaries of any major country on Earth and the top 25 hedge fund managers in this country make more money than the combined salaries of every kindergarten teacher?

Why is it that we allow charter schools to siphon public money out of public schools — often with worse results — simply to enrich Wall Street executives, Silicon Valley CEOs and billionaires like the DeVos family?

Why is it that 65 years after the Brown v. Board of Education decision, we still have shameful funding disparities and segregation in our school systems?

Why is it that one in every six children go hungry and instead of addressing this crisis, students with lunch debt are sometimes denied meals and have debt collectors sent after their families?

We need a revolution in public education in this country.

What we accept as normal today with regard to education, I want your grandchildren to tell you that you were crazy to accept.

Because the truth is, the world is changing. Technology is changing. Our economy is changing. And if we are to succeed in a highly competitive global economy, then I believe that a high-quality education must be available to every child — starting at the age of three years old and through college — and not just the privilege of wealthy families.

Last weekend, I rolled out what I am calling “A Thurgood Marshall Plan for Public Education” during a trip to South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

It is a comprehensive kindergarten through 12th grade education plan that will end educational disparities in our country and guarantee a great education to every child as a human right, regardless of zip code.

We are going to:

• Combat racial discrimination and school segregation by increasing, not cutting, funding for community-driven strategies to desegregate schools.
• Ban for-profit charter schools and institute a moratorium on public funds for charter school expansion.
• Guarantee a certain minimum level of education funding per student no matter where you live or if your property taxes are low or high.
• Strengthen the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to guarantee children with disabilities an equal right to a high-quality education.
• Give teachers a much deserved raise with a starting salary of no less than $60,000 tied to cost of living, years of service and other qualifications.
• Expand after school and summer education programs because research shows that quality programs give students the skills they need to succeed.
• Provide year-round, free universal school meals and offer incentives for sourcing food locally where possible.
• Provide annual funding for community school programs that offer a holistic, fun-service approach to learning and the well-being of our young people.
• Fix our school infrastructure so our kids are not learning in crumbling schools.
• Make school a safe and inclusive place for all by signing the Student Non-Discrimination Act, enforcing Title IX, and passing comprehensive gun safety legislation.

Instead of giving huge tax breaks to billionaires and profitable corporations, we must create the best public educational system in the world. Instead of major increases in military spending, we must invest in our kids.

This plan does that, and is the boldest plan for public education of any candidate in this race. I’m proud to be the only candidate who has stood with the NAACP’s call for a moratorium on federal funding of for-profit charter schools.

The American Federation of Teachers called this plan “vitally important.” And the National Education Association praised our plan for investing in schools.

But getting it passed will take a political revolution in this country, and a radical change in our national priorities.

The first step is saying you’re in this fight. Because what we’ve proven in the past is that when our campaign and supporters pick up an important fight, others in the party and across the country follow:

Sign my petition: say you support the Bernie 2020 plan for education in this country. We need a public education revolution and that starts with making our voices heard. Because when you do, others follow.

Research shows that the “most efficient means to boost the productivity of the workforce 15 to 20 years down the road is to invest in today’s youngest children.”

So these ideas are not radical, they are common sense.

Thank you for joining me in this fight.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

PO BOX 391, Burlington, VT 05402

We hope you’ll stay, because emails are such an important part of how we organize and how we raise money. In fact, there is no single greater source for our campaign’s fundraising than emails like this one. And that’s important, because no one person, not even Bernie Sanders, can take on Trump and the billionaire class alone. 

Before you go about the rest of your day, help power our fight against the billionaire class by making a contribution today.