Academic freedom has come under assault by the state and federal governments. Topeka has passed mandates for state universities to eliminate diversity programs, even banning university staff from displaying certain identity makers in their email signatures. Across the country, we’ve seen state and local governments attack educators and libraries when they teach honest histories of our country’s struggles with race and gender. These attacks must be stopped, and the rights of our educators must be protected. 

Public schools continue to go underfunded, despite the Kansas Supreme Court’s rulings that students have a constitutional right to a well-funded education. The state must step up and provide a full and rich education for all students, from pre-K to higher education.