Every back-to-school season is an opportunity not just for teachers, but for us all to reimagine and bring to life what we think is possible for students. While parents are packing backpacks, principals are opening classroom doors, and teachers are creating atmospheres of learning and purpose, I believe we can move from a nation littered with incomplete or piecemeal reform efforts and unmet educational commitments to a nation of promise for all students.
More than 40 years ago, the United States made an important promise to its students: “All, regardless of race or class or economic status, are entitled to a fair chance and to the tools for developing their individual powers of mind and spirit to the utmost.” That promise is rooted in a belief that public education is central to a flourishing future and a cornerstone of our economy, our democracy, and our civic life.
It is time we deliver that promise to every Black student. Every Latino student. Every student from a low-income background. Every multilingual learner. Every student with disabilities. It’s time we deliver the promise to every underserved student who is stymied by a lack of resources and opportunities, it is time to bring the promise to life.
For a kindergartner, a nation of promise means more than a momentous first day-of-school photo. It means entering a classroom where they are safe, known, and surrounded by caring adults. It means learning to read with the support of excellent teachers, strong curriculum, and the resources that meet their specialized reading needs.
For a middle or high school student, a nation of promise means being seen at the exact moment when too many young people begin to wonder whether the adults in their lives see them back. It means accessing strong math instruction, advanced coursework, mental health support, extracurricular opportunities, the beginnings of career exploration, and educators who are not constantly walking through a revolving door.
For a college student, a nation of promise means that talent and determination are not derailed by rent, food insecurity, transportation costs, or an unexpected medical bill. It means Pell Grants, advising, and basic needs support are strong enough to help students excel and graduate without a mountain of debt. It means first-generation and low-income students are not left to overcome barriers on their own.
The cost of half-promises is everywhere. We see it in a nationwide literacy crisis that leaves too many Black and Latino students without the reading skills they need to thrive. We see it in persistent gaps — defined by ZIP code — in access to excellent teachers, rigorous coursework, safe school environments, and meaningful pathways to college and career. We see the cost in a college affordability crisis that forces students to choose between staying enrolled and meeting their basic needs.
For this school year, let’s continue the push for fair funding to ensure adequate investments in high-quality, diverse, and supported educators; reading, math, and pathways; and specialized supports for every part of a student’s journey, from early learning to postsecondary education. And in place of the destruction that has been wrought against public education by many of those in places of power, let’s build a system where every child reads, does math well, feels safe and celebrated, and graduates prepared for a thriving future full of choices and opportunities.
Becoming a nation of promise is not an unrealistic dream. It is an attainable future that requires leadership, investment, and an unwavering belief in the unlimited potential of every student. The question is not whether our students are capable. They are. The question is whether we are willing to build an education system based on our promise to them.
As we enter the 2026-2027 school year, I hope you will join our movement, dedicated to realizing the promise made 43 years ago.