I received an email from Rep. Mazie Hirono, who's running for U.S. Senate in Hawai`i, asking me to sign her petition against H.R. 2445, which she says would abandon students who need our help the most. This legislation was passed out of the House education committee last month. Under the guise of "flexibility," it would undermine basic protections for public-school students.
Please follow me below for the entire text of her email and link to the petition if you agree it's worth signing.
Here's the email:
Robbing our keiki
When I first came to America as an 8 year old, I couldn’t speak or read a word of English.
My public school education was instrumental in helping me learn the language of my new home, and the same is true for so many young immigrants.
That’s why I staunchly oppose the Republicans’ H.R. 2445 -- the so-called State and Local Funding Flexibility Act -- and why I spoke and voted against it when it came before the Education and Workforce Committee.
Under the guise of “flexibility,” this shortsighted legislation would dismantle decades of work equalizing educational opportunities for low-income and other disadvantaged students -- including English Language Learners like me.
Click here to help me send the message to Congress that we cannot and must not abandon the students who need our help the most. Sign my petition opposing H.R. 2445 -- before it goes to the full House of Representatives for a vote!
For more than 45 years, the federal government has improved educational opportunities for poor and minority students by providing vital additional funding to schools with a significant number of disadvantaged students.
If H.R. 2445 becomes law, school boards around the country will be granted authority to disregard the intended purpose of these funds -- to serve students in poverty, English language learners, or Native American students -- and use these funds to serve other students.
Imagine the effect that would have on Hawaii, where 18,000 English Language Learners and 125,000 disadvantaged students rely on these school programs to prepare them for graduation, college, or work in Hawaii businesses.
Abandoning these vulnerable students hurts them, and it hurts Hawaii.
Click here to stand with me and the growing list of teachers, principals, parents, and civil rights advocates who oppose H.R. 2445 -- sign my petition before the legislation goes to the full House for a vote!
The future of so many of our keiki will be determined by whether or not this bill becomes law -- let’s make sure education remains the great equalizer.
Mahalo for your support on this important issue,
Mazie Hirono
Please also consider retweeting.
Thanks for your consideration!