WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to strengthen public education and support students, teachers, families and communities nationwide, U.S. Senator Jack Reed joined U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to officially recognize Public Schools Week this week, from February 24-28, 2025.  Public schools are open to every child and supporting public school systems strengthens our nation.

To kick things off, Senators Collins and Reed offered a bipartisan resolution celebrating the achievements of our public schools and honoring the significant contributions and accomplishments of students, parents, educators, and education advocates.

There are nearly 100,000 public schools in the U.S. that provide free instruction to the public, operated by a public school district. These public schools serve students in K-12, as well as provide career and technical education and adult education.  Overall, public schools make up about 85 percent of all American schools and 87 percent of all children attend a public school.

“Public schools are the foundation of our democracy, where kids are put on a path towards reaching their full potential and are prepared to shape America’s future.  They are unifying places of opportunity where kids with different backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities come together for the common purpose of learning and getting a healthy start.  Every child deserves a great education.  That means we must invest in public schools and reject proposals to cut funding for our public schools.  We need to stand strong in support of public education that is for everyone and teaches everyone to think critically, engage in the world around them, and value their community and country,” said Senator Reed, whose father served as a custodian for the Cranston Public School system.

Rolling out nationwide, Public Schools Week is an opportunity to honor the history and impact of publicly funded education.  Many national education groups representing teachers, principals, superintendents, parents, civil rights and disability advocates, and religious organizations join in highlighting the importance of U.S. public schools and the positive difference they make in shaping the future of our nation.

There are a host of ways to join the celebration, such as:

  • Sharing your public school success story on social media.  #PublicSchoolsWeek
  • Wearing your local public school gear with pride.
  • Thanking a teacher, principal, or public school staff member. 

The Collins-Reed Senate resolution states:

Designating the week of February 24 through February 28, 2025, as ‘‘Public Schools Week’’.

Whereas public education is a significant institution in a 21st-century democracy;

Whereas public schools in the United States educate students about the values and beliefs that hold the individuals of the United States together as a nation;

Whereas public schools prepare young individuals of the United States to contribute to the society, economy, and citizenry of the country;

Whereas 87 percent of children in the United States attend public schools;

Whereas Federal, State, and local lawmakers should—

(1) prioritize support for strengthening the public schools of the United States;

(2) empower superintendents, principals, and other school leaders to implement, manage, and lead school districts and schools in partnership with educators, parents, and other local education stakeholders; and

(3) support services and programs that are critical to helping students engage in learning, including counseling, extracurricular activities, and mental health support;

Whereas public schools should foster inclusive, safe, and high-quality environments in which children can learn to think critically, problem solve, and build relationships;

Whereas public schools should provide environments in which all students have the opportunity to succeed beginning in their earliest years, regardless of who a student is or where a student lives;

Whereas Congress should support—

(1) efforts to advance equal opportunity and excellence in public education;

(2) efforts to implement evidence-based practices in public education; and

(3) continuous improvements to public education;

Whereas every child should—

(1) receive an education that helps the child reach the full potential of the child; and

(2) attend a school that offers a high-quality educational experience;

Whereas Federal funding, in addition to State and local funds, supports the access of students to inviting classrooms, well-prepared educators, and services to support healthy students, including nutrition and afterschool programs;

Whereas teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals should provide students with a well-rounded education and strive to create joy in learning;

Whereas superintendents, principals, other school leaders, teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents make public schools vital components of communities and are working hard to improve educational outcomes for children across the country; and

Whereas the week of February 24 through February 28, 2025, is an appropriate period to designate as ‘‘Public Schools Week’’: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate designates the week of February 24 through February 28, 2025 as ‘‘Public Schools Week’’.

A companion Public Schools Week resolution is being introduced in the U.S. House of Representative by Reps. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).