We the People for Education

We the People for Education is a 501(c)(4) organization based in Virginia, focused on supporting and empowering pro-public education leadership across the Commonwealth. The organization was officially launched in March 2023 with the aim of improving governance, advocacy, and accountability in public schools.

Mission

We the People for Education is dedicated to promoting strong public schools enriched by strong communities and local leadership. Its primary goals include supporting school board candidates who share its values of effective education policies and governance. The organization seeks to counter extremism and divisiveness in school board meetings by promoting positive student outcomes and collaboration between families, educators, and local leaders.

Leadership

The organization is led by a diverse group of founding members, including Sarah Gross, its president, and several other prominent figures in Virginia education. Notable advisory board members include:

• Anne Holton, former Virginia Secretary of Education
• Atif Qarni, former Virginia Secretary of Education
• James J. Fedderman, President of the Virginia Education Association (VEA)
• Pam Northam, former First Lady of Virginia
• Dan Gecker, Virginia Board of Education President

These leaders bring extensive experience in education policy, governance, and advocacy, helping shape the organization's objectives and strategies.

Activities

We the People for Education focuses on several key areas:

• School Board Elections: The organization supports candidates committed to good governance, financial stewardship, and prioritizing student success over political agendas.
• Advocacy and Accountability: It works to amplify responsible advocacy and ensure that school boards are accountable to their communities, focusing on issues like resource disparities, teacher shortages, and student safety and mental health.

By engaging with parents, teachers, and community groups, the organization aims to build a collective vision for Virginia's public education system that emphasizes collaboration and student well-being.

Founding Partners

The organization has garnered support from a broad range of founding partners across Virginia, reflecting its commitment to involving diverse voices in education reform. This partnership network includes education advocates, school board members, and grassroots organizations, all united behind the goal of fostering strong public schools.

Impact

By addressing critical challenges facing Virginia's public education sector, We the People for Education seeks to ensure that every community has access to high-quality educational opportunities. The organization's efforts are guided by a belief in the transformative power of public education and the importance of empowering local leadership to drive positive change.

[1] https://bluevirginia.us/2023/03/we-the-people-for-education-launches-with-goal-of-pushing-back-against-organizing-from-those-seeking-to-divide-parents-and-undermine-public-schools [2] https://www.iowabar.org/?pg=WethePeople [3] https://civiced.org/we-the-people/program-description [4] https://civiced.org/we-the-people [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_the_People_Foundation