Two hundred forty-nine years ago, our nation was founded on a revolutionary principle: every individual has the inherent dignity to shape their own destiny. As we celebrate America’s birth in liberty this Independence Day, we must confront a persistent injustice: too many futures are bound by ZIP code.
As a young girl, my dreams outgrew the boundaries of my neighborhood school, dictated solely by my address. Crossing a district line to access an advanced program was truly a lifeline to opportunity. That single choice unlocked doors to a future I could only imagine.
Today, as a mother of four, an advocate for school equity, and a 2025 No More Lines Ambassador, I’m fighting to open the door for every child to be able to cross district lines to thrive. Every kid should be empowered by an educational program that fits their passions, just as I did.
All families deserve the power to choose what’s best for the kids, especially those who have intentionally been put behind a red line. Instead of seeing education as lines on a map, No More Lines means listening to kids and their families to determine the public school that best suits each kid’s needs.
This Independence Day let’s channel change for the next generation and inspire policymakers: pass bold open enrollment laws and erase the invisible lines holding kids back. We can make sure every kid has the opportunity to thrive in the school that best meets their needs.
Families want this. A national survey found that three-in-four K-12 parents support making it possible for students to access any public school in their state, regardless of where they live – the essence of open enrollment.
Educational freedom is about trusting families to make the best choices for their children. It’s about affirming every child’s dignity and potential, not forcing parents to battle bureaucracy to secure a quality education.
This is personal for me and many who have walked my path. My children’s futures, like mine, depend on the power to choose.
Let’s honor the spirit of independence that defines our nation. Let’s commit to reshape an education system that liberates every family. No kid’s potential and future should be bound by exclusionary school zone lines.
