EDUCATION (K-12)

Equity

Every child has the right to a quality education. But entrenched disparities in funding, curriculum and opportunity lead to stark disparities in education outcomes that can alter the trajectory of a child’s life. That’s why The Children’s Agenda is driven to ensure there is equity in education. This includes advocating for state funding that ensures high needs districts have the resources they need, working with districts to ensure multilingual learners and special education students have full educational access, and promoting school policies that promote racial equity.

Climate

Schools should be places where students are welcomed and supported in their learning and development. From the moment they walk through the school door, they should know they are in a place where they are physically safe and where they can dare to try new things. They should be respected and have the security of clear and consistent expectations. That climate should persist through changes in administrators, faculty and staff. That’s why The Children’s Agenda works with school districts to identify policies and system changes that can help shape the culture of the school and sustain a positive school climate over time.

Support

Children bring their lives into the classroom, including their strengths as well as challenges and trauma. They must be supported in order to succeed. Schools can’t do it all by themselves. It requires a collaborative and integrated approach by education, health and human service systems. That’s why The Children’s Agenda works with parents and across systems to identify needs and develop solutions for nutritious meals, social-emotional learning, and mental health supports.

Restorative Practices

When children make mistakes, they need to be held accountable in ways that are age appropriate, help them learn, and get to the root of the problem. They need the opportunity to make amends, repair the damage, and restore relationships with their classmates and teachers. That is why The Children’s Agenda works to end the over-reliance on suspensions and expulsions.