A Progressive Vision for K–12 Public Education: Where AOC and Bernie Sanders Stand

Written By Liz Wilson

The Fight for Fairness Starts in Our Classrooms: AOC and Bernie’s Vision for Public Education

If you were at the AOC or Bernie rallies in Greeley or Denver, you felt it—real momentum building around fairness, dignity, and standing up to billionaires like Trump and Elon Musk who think they can buy the future. But while we fight back against authoritarianism and corporate greed, there’s another front in that battle that doesn’t always get the spotlight: public education. Bernie and AOC haven’t forgotten it—and neither should we. What happens in our classrooms reflects what kind of society we’re building. Here’s a look at how these two progressive leaders think we can—and must—reshape K–12 education to reflect our values. Colorado is one of the most progressive states in the country when it comes to offering choices to parents and students, but there are also politicians and activists dead-set on privatizing our schools. Let’s not forget that 2025 is an election year for Colorado’s local school boards, too. Every year even more money is poured into local elections by special interest groups. We can’t afford to let the federal chaos and attacks on public education undermine Colorado!

Where AOC and Bernie Sanders Stand on K-12 Education

When it comes to public education in the U.S., few political voices have been as consistently bold as AOC and Bernie. Both have made it clear: K–12 education shouldn’t be a privilege for the few, but a right for all. They’ve taken their message from rallies to Congress, fighting for schools that are equitable, inclusive, and genuinely serve every child—regardless of zip code.

At the heart of their message is a call for fairness—in funding, opportunity, curriculum, and treatment of students and educators. Let’s dive into how these two progressive leaders view the challenges facing K–12 public education and what they believe needs to change.

Funding: “Your Zip Code Shouldn’t Decide Your Future”

If there’s one thing both AOC and Bernie Sanders agree on, it’s this: America’s public schools are deeply underfunded and wildly unequal.

AOC has been particularly vocal about how race and class shape educational opportunities. She’s pointed to data showing that majority-white school districts receive $23 billion more in funding than majority-nonwhite districts—a gap she has called an example of systemic racial discrimination. Her stance is clear: federal investment must close this gap and ensure that every child, from the Bronx to Boise, gets a quality education (The Guardian).

Bernie Sanders echoes that message. His refrain is simple but powerful: the wealthiest country in the world should have “the best public school system in the world.” In his 2020 presidential campaign, he proposed tripling Title I funding (which supports low-income schools), setting a national minimum per-pupil spending level, and investing billions more to level the playing field for underserved communities (Bernie Sanders 2020 Campaign).

For both, fair funding is not just about budgets—it’s about ensuring every child has a fair chance to succeed, no matter where they live.

At the Denver rally, Liz Waddick, vice president of the Colorado Education Association (CEA), drove this point home. She noted that Colorado schools have been underfunded by more than $10 billion over the past 16 years, resulting in overcrowded classrooms and under-resourced students. Waddick shared that she personally spends $300 to $500 out-of-pocket each year to cover basics like tissues and pencils. She called on lawmakers to pass the Worker Protection Act and create a state that values both workers and public education (Denver7, RealVail).

Teachers Deserve Better

Both AOC and Sanders see teachers not just as educators, but as pillars of our society—and they’re fed up with how the profession is treated.

AOC has stood in solidarity with striking teachers from Los Angeles to New York, calling them “unsung heroes of American democracy.” She’s criticized low pay and poor working conditions, pointing out how these challenges hurt not just teachers but their students, too.

Bernie Sanders has gone even further by introducing concrete legislation: the Pay Teachers Act, which would guarantee a minimum salary of $60,000 for every public school teacher in America. “It is simply unacceptable,” he said, “that so many teachers are working multiple jobs just to survive” (Sanders.Senate.gov).

To them, fairness for educators—through fair pay, professional respect, and proper support—is essential to building a school system that works for everyone.

Final Thoughts: A Vision Rooted in Fairness and Justice

In a time when public schools face growing attacks—from budget cuts to book bans to privatization efforts—AOC and Bernie Sanders offer a different vision. It’s a vision rooted in fairness, justice, and the belief that public education is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy.

They argue that every child—regardless of race, income, or neighborhood—deserves a fair shot at a high-quality education. That means well-funded classrooms, respected and well-paid teachers, and schools that are safe, inclusive, and equipped to meet every student’s needs.

They’re not just calling for better schools—they’re calling for a society that treats all children fairly and gives every family the support they need to thrive.

And that’s a conversation worth having.

Like what you read? Spread the word! Feel free to use these ideas in your posts!

🗣️ Bernie & AOC are rallying people to fight back against billionaire control. But are we overlooking one of the biggest fights of all?

📍 Public Education in Colorado

📉 $1.2 Billion Budget Shortfall Threatens Our Schools

🍎 Teachers and Families Rallying Against Cuts

✊ Educators Demand Fair Funding Amid Crisis

Let's talk about why our schools deserve more.

#ColoradoSchools #FundPublicEd #Bernie #AOC #FairnessFirst #NoMoreCuts

References:

Liz Wilson
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