Education for all | Craig Beckman for DVUSD School Board

Equal access and opportunity

Education is a building block of both an individual and society. As such, equal access and opportunity for all students is not only critical, but it is a constitutional right. The equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment states, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without ; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” In 1954, the Supreme Court interpreted this clause in one of the most important and impactful cases in history, Brown v Board of Education. The ruling stated that:

We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of “separate but equal” has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. Therefore, we hold that the plaintiffs…are, by reason of the segregation complained of, deprived of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.

This ruling solidified the right to equal access to education, a value that Craig holds for every single child in his community and society. He believes that every student has the right to equal opportunities in education regardless of race, religion or creed, gender, gender identification, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical or mental disability, citizenship, or any other identifying federally protected class. It is their constitutional right, and should not be argued or impeded by political or personal opinions.

America is diverse, our community is diverse, and our schools are diverse. It’s what makes us who we are – people from all backgrounds coming together as one to make the world a better place. Craig understands the importance of diversity, and the power of learning about different cultures, backgrounds, and what makes each group and individual unique. In order to thrive together, we have to understand together. Everyone is different, let us recognize and celebrate what makes each of us who we are.