Fund Public Education
Everyday, I hear from parents in our city who are worried about their children's education — and for good reason. Reading and math scores are at their lowest level in over 20 years; less than half of 3rd graders in California read at grade level; and while our teachers are doing everything they can to help, they are grossly underpaid. Here in San Francisco, our public school system is facing a $110 million budget shortfall and may be forced to close schools. Parents and educators know this is an emergency, so why aren't our leaders in Congress acting like it?
In Congress, I'll fight for every child's right to a high-quality public education. That starts with doubling federal funding for Title I schools (including 17 here in San Francisco). I attended a Title 1 middle school and high school, and I know how crucial these funds are for low-income students. I will also fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for the first time, push for a Green New Deal for Public Schools to rebuild crumbling infrastructure, and for new federal grants for tutoring, after-school programs, summer learning, and universal free school meals.
Every teacher who teaches in San Francisco deserves to live in San Francisco, but the cost of living in this city is currently driving teachers out. That's why I will support legislation to cancel student debt for school staff after five years of service, establish a national minimum teacher salary of $60,000 with annual cost-of-living raises, and provide much-needed rental and mortgage assistance to school employees.
And finally, I will defend academic freedom. I'll oppose politically motivated book bans and work to repeal laws like AB 715 that censor how schools teach about Israel, Palestine, and the broader conflict. Our students and teachers deserve honesty, not censorship.