NASBE President on Events in Charlottesville, Virginia 

For Immediate Release: August 17, 2017

Contact: Renee Rybak Lang, renee.lang@nasbe.org, 703-740-4841

“We must deepen our commitment to the relentless pursuit of equity and excellence in our public education system” 

NASBE President and CEO Kristen Amundson issued this statement in light of displays of hatred and violence witnessed in Charlottesville, Virginia earlier this week:

“Given the disturbing events of the past few days, we at NASBE felt the need to reaffirm our fundamental belief in the value of each and every child. The displays of hatred and violence witnessed in Charlottesville, Virginia, only deepen our commitment to the relentless pursuit of equity and excellence in our public education system and to serving all children, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or disability status. Members of state boards of education serve as the citizen’s voice in education and as advocates for historically underserved students.  The futures of these students, whose schools have not always met their needs, rests with us and the decisions we make.
 
Children begin their lives without hatred and bigotry, and we uphold the public’s trust by fostering tolerance and respectful civic discourse among our students when they enter our public schools. We denounce expressions of hate and intolerance in school and out. We believe in the ability of our public education system to mold a citizenry of diverse ideas with a common ideal, that we are all created equal. We have seen decency and greatness in our teachers and school leaders, as they challenge inequities and foster excellence for all students.  They leave an indelible mark on the lives of students and honor our great nation’s fundamental values.
 
A new school year presents us with a renewed opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students.  Our members will continue to champion diversity in the classroom, knowing it allows students to learn about different cultures and backgrounds and interact with classmates who have different perspectives, promotes deeper learning and critical thinking, and successfully prepares them for success in a global society. Our members commit to seeking diverse perspectives as they consider new policies and regulations and to deepening their own learning on race, equity, and equality through such opportunities as NASBE’s Leading for Equity and Excellence Project.
 
We owe it to our students to reaffirm and recommit to the promise of an American education system that enables them to succeed.”  

NASBE is the only national organization giving voice and adding value to the nation’s state boards of education. A nonprofit organization founded in 1958, NASBE works to strengthen state leadership in educational policymaking, promote excellence in the education of all students, advocate equality of access to educational opportunity, and ensure continued citizen support for public education. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.

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