When debates over education often focus on what we’re against—bureaucratic overreach, ideological indoctrination, declining standards—a refreshing alternative has emerged.
The Phoenix Declaration, unveiled by The Heritage Foundation under the leadership of Jason Bedrick, offers a compelling vision for what conservatives are for in education. Launched at the Conservative Vision of Education Conference in Phoenix on Feb. 17, this initiative is not just a critique of the status quo—it’s a clarion call for a renaissance in American public education, rooted in freedom, excellence, and the best of our national heritage.
Bedrick, a research fellow at Heritage’s Center for Education Policy, and Lindsey Burke, the center’s director, have tirelessly advocated for educational choice and parental empowerment. Bedrick’s expertise in school choice pairs seamlessly with Burke’s strategic focus on dismantling centralized control, making them a dynamic duo behind this initiative.
With the Phoenix Declaration, they’ve rallied scholars, policy experts, and public officials to craft a framework that transcends partisan squabbles. It’s a vision that captivated me for its ambition: to restore education as a pursuit of truth, beauty, and virtue. What I loved most was how it sets a course for conservative education in this country—one that doesn’t just react, but inspires.
At its core, the Phoenix Declaration reasserts the importance of parents in education. It calls for empowering parents to choose learning environments that align with their values, whether through public schools, private institutions, or homeschooling. This isn’t about dismantling public education but reimagining it as part of a broader ecosystem where competition drives excellence. It’s a rejection of one-size-fits-all mandates in favor of a tapestry of options, each tailored to the unique needs of students. Imagine a system where innovation flourishes, not because of top-down edicts, but because families and educators are free to experiment and excel.
What sets this vision apart is its embrace of education as more than test scores or job training. The declaration nods to a golden age of American ideals—where learning was a holistic endeavor, cultivating citizens with sharp minds and noble character. I found myself wishing it had gone further in spotlighting the arts and music as vital threads in this fabric.
Picture classrooms where painting and poetry ignite a love for beauty as much as math ignites a love for logic. These aren’t frills; they’re the heartbeat of a culture worth preserving. A true conservative renaissance in education would weave these golden-age initiatives into every school, rekindling a sense of wonder and creativity that’s too often sidelined.
The Phoenix Declaration isn’t about living in the past. It’s a practical plan with big goals—focused on the future. It pushes for strong academics, built on core subjects like history, science, and literature, and skips the trendy stuff that waters down learning. It insists on openness, so parents know exactly what’s being taught and why. Above all, it aims for results: schools that turn out grads ready to lead, create, and keep our free society strong. This is education that works for everyone, not a political pawn. It puts students first, not the system.
Critics might dismiss this as idealism not grounded in reality, but the track record of Bedrick, Burke, and their conservative allies suggests otherwise. Their analysis and recommendations have contributed to the wave of school choice victories nationwide and the unraveling of so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” policies. The Phoenix Declaration builds on that legacy, offering a blueprint for lawmakers, educators, and parents to rally around. It’s a chance to reclaim education as a unifying force—an American birthright, not a partisan prize.
As we stand at this crossroads, the Phoenix Declaration dares us to dream bigger. It’s not just a policy paper; it’s a promise of renewal. Let’s seize it, and with it, spark a golden age of learning that echoes for generations.
This article was originally published at www.dailysignal.com
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