Safeguarding the Promise of Public Education

Public education is a cornerstone of our democracy, but it’s facing real challenges right now. Jami Parsons, Deputy Executive Director of the California Association of School Counselors, emphasizes that we need to hold tight to the value of K-12 public education, even as debates swirl about what schools should teach and how they should operate.

Educators are under more pressure than ever, juggling high expectations and responding to a growing range of student needs. In classrooms across the country, teachers are seeing the effects—students struggling with behavior, mental health, and uncertainty about the future. More and more, teachers are turning to school counselors for help.

But there aren’t enough counselors and support staff to meet the demand. School counselors play a vital role in helping students navigate challenges, stay focused on their goals, and prepare for life beyond graduation. As pressure on public education increases, investing in strong counseling programs is more important than ever.

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Transcript:

Safeguarding the Promise of Public Education

"Education is critical in a functioning democracy, and we have to hold tight to that. We need to make sure that we do have K-12 public education.

It’s a tough time because of the different factors happening in the larger society. Lots of people have different opinions about what education should be and what it should include. I think we become political folly for them. So I think we need to stand true to what is important for students to learn, to know, and to be able to do so that they are ready for their future.

Educators are struggling right now because there are lots of demands placed on them, and they’re responding to great need that’s out there. I know that teachers are seeing the needs in the classroom. They’re seeing it through their students’ behavior, their students’ mental health needs. They are reaching out to school counselors. I think that we have more work to do in terms of making sure that we have enough support at the school level to meet the need that we’re seeing right now."

-Jami Parsons, EdD