Watch NCYL’s Testimony Before the House Education & Workforce Committee

At a congressional hearing on the future of America’s schools, NCYL’s Managing Director of Education & Federal Strategic Advocacy Johnathan J. Smith delivered a simple message: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, belong, and thrive.

As both a civil rights lawyer and a parent, Smith spoke about what families across the country want for their children: schools that are safe, welcoming, academically strong, and prepared to help every student succeed.

What Is at Stake?

Public education remains one of our nation’s most important institutions. It prepares young people to participate in our democracy, compete in a global economy, and build meaningful lives.

But too many students face barriers that stand in the way of that promise.

Students who experience discrimination, harassment, exclusion, or bullying are less likely to feel connected to school and more likely to face academic and emotional challenges. At the same time, growing political conflict around public education is consuming resources and attention that should be focused on helping students learn.

NCYL believes every student deserves access to a learning environment where they are safe, respected, and able to reach their full potential.

The Foundation of Student Success

In his testimony, Smith emphasized three principles that help schools serve all students well:

Every Student Belongs

America’s classrooms reflect the full diversity of our communities. Effective schools recognize and respond to the needs of the students they serve, ensuring every young person has the opportunity to succeed.

Civil Rights Protections Matter

For generations, federal civil rights laws have helped expand educational opportunity for students who too often faced discrimination and exclusion.

Those protections remain essential today. Strong enforcement helps ensure that every student can attend school free from discrimination and with equal access to opportunity.

Families and Students Both Have a Voice

Parents play a vital role in their children’s education. Students also have important rights, perspectives, and experiences that deserve respect.

The strongest schools are built through partnership, where families, educators, and students work together to create supportive learning environments that benefit everyone.

A Better Path Forward

The debates surrounding public education can often generate more heat than light.

But most families share common goals. They want their children to be safe. They want them to be challenged academically. They want them to develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge necessary to succeed.

NCYL is committed to advancing policies that move us closer to those goals and to ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality education that affirms their dignity and expands their opportunities.