FIGHTING FOR FAMILIES

The National Parents Union Unveils its 2024 Policy Agenda

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Boston, MA–  American families are making it clear: it’s time to focus on the serious challenges facing our children and our communities and stop the culture war that is distracting us from making progress for our kids.

Against that backdrop, the National Parents Union today unveiled its 2024 national policy agenda outlining the organization’s areas of unwavering focus. The 10-point plan was developed and ratified by NPU’s leadership council after reviewing and analyzing the organization’s parent polling data and receiving feedback received during town hall meetings, one-on one connections, rallies and days of action. 

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the agenda will serve as the backdrop for NPU’s work at the federal level and will help inform state and local work. 

The agenda is rooted in ensuring that every child across the country has what they need to thrive- great schools, clean air, safe and inclusive communities and pathways to economic mobility. The agenda includes supporting poverty reduction initiatives, like the Child Tax Credit, reimagining America’s public schools, increasing access to education options for families, increasing access to higher quality curriculum and assessments, advocating for safer schools, addressing the mental health crisis and much more. 

Families believe that adopting these policy priorities will result in an America where children, families and communities thrive. 

Over the course of the next 14 months, NPU’s parent advocates will be traveling across the country to advocate for these policies. The organization plans to make several stops in the nation’s capital, as well as cities across the country . In addition, NPU will have a presence on the campaign trail ensuring that what matters to parents matters to politicians. 

Click here to read NPU’s 2024 Policy Agenda

Ariel Smith, Senior Director of the NPU Center for Policy & Action, said, “Families are the backbone of our communities, it is time for leaders to make real investments in things that matter to hard working American families. Passing bills like the American Families Act would have a positive impact on generations of kids across the country- guaranteeing them the right to read would too. We are making a big bet on what is possible because we know how transformative it would be to get it done. All of this is possible with bipartisan leaders who agree to focus on building thriving children, families and communities.”  

A recent National Parents Union poll addressed many of the issues included in the policy agenda. For example, according to the survey: 

  • The economy and education were ranked as the two issues that parents were most concerned about 
  • 71% of parents want a complete overhaul or major changes made to the education system in the U.S.
  • There is overwhelming support (93%) to require public schools to assess each student’s reading level to identify whether they need additional support
  • 89% want more government funding and resources to public schools to support struggling readers
  • 88% want the federal government to increase funding for tutoring and academic support programs in all K-12 public schools
  • More than eight-in-ten parents support the American Family Act, which would expand the Child Tax Credit
  • 90% of parents would support the federal government providing access to mental health and counseling services in all K-12 public schools

See the other poll results here

Keri Rodrigues, Co-Founder and President of NPU, added, “NPU isn’t out here guessing what keeps parents up at night. Hint: it’s not how history is being taught in schools. We do the work and have the data to back it up. And NPU isn’t projecting onto others what should keep them up at night. The overwhelming majority of parents in this country have made it clear– their top priority is ensuring that their children have pathways to economic mobility, which is what this policy agenda reflects. We’re fighting alongside parents who want their children to be prepared for jobs in the economy of the future and who want their children to have a shot at a better life than they have.”

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