Politicization of Public Education: Legislation and Lack of Funding Create Tensions in the Education Sector

Educators voiced their frustrations as they continue to face public criticism, racist and Anti-LGTBQ legislation and a lack of funding in favor of school voucher systems. These tensions are highlighted as factors in the everlasting exodus of education.

  • “Teachers aren’t treated or paid well enough to lie about slavery and out LQBTQ students. You would think the expectation to sell your soul would at least come with a higher price tag. Go against everything we believe in and still beg for school supplies every year?” —Educator in Nevada
      • “Betray the trust of my students and still work a second job to make ends meet? C’mon now what is real indoctrination and brainwashing worth? Obviously I’m being sarcastic but this is getting beyond ridiculous & outright scary. And if you believe it can’t happen in your school?” —Educator in Nevada
      • “Or your town? Think again. We need to plan and organize for the fascism sitting at all of our schoolhouse doors.  Wherever we are.” —Educator in Nevada
  • “This year more teachers will likely leave teaching than ever before, and not because they no longer care about their students or don’t love teaching, but because society doesn’t value, pay, resource or care about them.” —High School Teacher in New Jersey
    • “Besides all the threats legislators are making about firing teachers if they do this or that…. My state just passed a voucher system giving private schools $8,000/student while giving public schools only $4,000/student. That’s just plain demoralizing.” —Teacher, N/A
    • “We are required to be college educated and to continue our education and professional development in order to have a teaching certification. Yet, we are treated as if we are merely babysitters. I’m a professional with a degree in genetics, for crying out loud!” —Teacher in Maryland
    • “I left teaching after 20 years but would have stayed longer had I been supported more by the administration, interfered with less by state legislators (let me teach!), and frustrated less with the lack of response on the part of many parents when I was trying to help their kid.” —Educator in Indiana
    • “It’s really sad. I don’t think most really know what it’s like in education these days. Universities have little to no students in education programs, young teachers that come in leave quickly, experienced teachers retire as soon as they possibly can. It’s so sad!” —Educator in North Carolina
  • “People want to blame educators for failures in public education when we have very little control over many very important factors: class sizes, standards, curriculum (or lack of it), home environment, amount of sleep, diet, overall health of students, were they read to at home.” —Elementary Teacher in Nevada 
    • “​​Other factors we can’t control: does the parent/guardian value education, screen time allowed, materials provided, instructional minute blocks, standardized testing, language status, poverty, mental health, & interruptions during instruction. All of these affect learning.” —Elementary Teacher in Nevada