Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams: How to Stand Up to Project 2025 and Save Public Education
In the December 12, 2024 episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, hosted by Crooked Media and Stacey Abrams, the focus centers on the looming threat posed by Project 2025 to public education in the United States. This comprehensive episode delves into the intricacies of the proposed changes, their potential impact on educational institutions, and actionable steps listeners can take to defend and preserve public education.
Understanding Project 2025
Project 2025 is a 900-page conservative policy blueprint crafted by the Heritage Foundation, with significant input from former President Donald Trump’s advisors. The document outlines a comprehensive strategy to overhaul the U.S. education system, aiming to privatize schools, eliminate protections for disadvantaged students, and eradicate what it terms the "woke agenda," including critical race theory and gender ideology from school curricula.
Notable Quote:
"Beyond privatizing schools and eliminating most of the protections for disadvantaged students, Project 2025 also seeks to take on the so-called woke agenda in education."
— Ali Velshi, MSNBC [03:43]
Stacey Abrams underscores the gravity of this initiative, highlighting how it aims to dismantle foundational aspects of public education, including the Department of Education itself.
The Role of the Department of Education
John Volant, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and director of the Brown Center of Education Policy, provides an in-depth analysis of the Department of Education's functions. He clarifies misconceptions about the potential shutdown of the department, explaining that its responsibilities extend beyond mere administration to include civil rights enforcement, compensatory funding for underprivileged students, and oversight of higher education loans.
Notable Quote:
"The Department of Education is what administers a lot of these programs that were actually established in laws that often predate the department."
— John Volant [15:06]
Volant emphasizes that even if the Department were dismantled—a scenario he deems unlikely—the underlying laws and protections would remain intact, as they are embedded in federal statutes.
Grassroots Activism: Kate Nazimi’s Fight for Inclusive Education
Kate Nazimi, co-founder of Advocates for Inclusive Education in Central Bucks, Pennsylvania, shares her firsthand experience battling against conservative efforts to censor educational content. Faced with school board meetings where policies restricting teachers and banning books were introduced, Nazimi organized community support, collaborated with legal organizations, and launched informational campaigns to maintain inclusive curricula and protect student rights.
Notable Quote:
"Books are just so powerful, important. People need to see themselves in books, and I feel so strongly about that."
— Kate Nazimi [32:29]
Her efforts demonstrate the critical role of local activism in countering national policy shifts and safeguarding the integrity of public education.
Threats to Civil Rights and Educational Funding
The episode delves into specific policies under threat, notably Title I and Title IX. Title I provides essential federal funding to support low-income students, while Title IX prohibits gender-based discrimination in educational institutions. Under Project 2025, there is a concerted effort to reinterpret these laws to reduce federal oversight, potentially undermining protections for marginalized students.
John Volant warns of the administration’s likely moves to reinterpret Title IX, which could lead to reduced protections for transgender students and challenges in enforcing anti-discrimination laws.
Notable Quote:
"They could start to threaten districts funding and play some games around there."
— John Volant [24:21]
Additionally, the push for school voucher programs threatens to divert public funding to private institutions, exacerbating educational inequalities and undermining the public school system.
The Rise of School Voucher Programs
Examining the implications of school voucher programs, Volant highlights how these initiatives redirect funds meant for public education to private schools, often benefiting affluent families and exacerbating educational disparities. He anticipates that such programs may be covertly embedded in broader tax legislation, making them harder to detect and challenge.
Notable Quote:
"It would mean a whole lot of resources that otherwise might have found their way to public schools will find their way to private schools instead."
— John Volant [44:17]
Kate Nazimi echoes these concerns, emphasizing that voucher programs create a divided educational landscape where only the wealthy can fully benefit, leaving public schools further underfunded and overburdened.
Community Impact and Future Implications
The episode emphasizes the profound impact these policy changes could have on communities, particularly through the potential closure of local schools and the erosion of inclusive educational practices. Stacey Abrams and her guests advocate for vigilant community engagement to preserve the values and structures of public education.
Notable Quote:
"We have a moment before us where we can defend public education, but also the fundamental values that make us strong."
— Stacey Abrams [52:32]
Actionable Steps for Listeners
Stacey Abrams outlines a clear three-step strategy for listeners to combat the threats to public education:
- Ask for Help: Reach out to experts and organizations for support and information.
- Put Sand in the Gears: Slow down the implementation of restrictive policies through informed resistance.
- Show, Don’t Just Tell: Demonstrate the importance and benefits of inclusive education to garner broader support.
Listeners are encouraged to engage with local school boards, participate in community organizing, and utilize resources like Advocates for Inclusive Education on Instagram [afiebuucks].
Notable Quote:
"Keep people informed, organize, and show up."
— Kate Nazimi [32:09]
Listener Engagement
Addressing questions from listeners, Stacey Abrams provides guidance on how young individuals, like Liam Stitt, a 16-year-old from Kaiser, Oregon, can make their voices heard. Both Stacey and John Volant emphasize the accessibility of local education systems as a venue for meaningful impact, urging active participation in school board meetings and community advocacy.
Notable Quote:
"You can walk into a school board meeting and you can be heard and you can communicate with your school board members."
— John Volant [36:00]
Conclusion: Defending Public Education
The episode concludes with a rallying call to defend public education by staying informed, actively participating in local governance, and fostering inclusive communities. Stacey reiterates the importance of collective action and resilience in the face of looming policy threats.
Key Takeaways:
- Project 2025 poses significant threats to public education through privatization and erosion of civil rights protections.
- Local activism is crucial in resisting and shaping educational policies.
- Educational funding and federal protections are vital for maintaining equitable and inclusive schools.
- Community engagement and informed resistance can effectively counteract detrimental policy shifts.
Listeners are left with practical steps and resources to actively engage in the fight to preserve public education for all.
Resources Mentioned:
- Advocates for Inclusive Education: @afiebuucks on Instagram
- Assembly Required: Email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or voicemail at 213-293-9509.
This episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams underscores the pivotal role of public education in upholding democratic values and equity. As Project 2025 threatens to undermine these foundations, the insights and strategies shared aim to empower listeners to take meaningful action in safeguarding the future of education.