What They Are Saying: Senator Gallego Unveils his Plan to Strengthen America’s Education System

WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released his new plan to reform and strengthen America’s public education system. The four-pillar plan, “Class in Session: A Plan to Fix America’s Public Education System,” provides a pathway to bolster public education for every American student — especially those in rural, tribal, and high-poverty communities who often face barriers that extend beyond the classroom. Read the full plan HERE . Since its release last week, the plan has received support from AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services, National Education Association (NEA), Arizona Education Association (AEA), Pima County Joint Technical Education District (JTED), The School Superintendents Association (AASA), National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR), Somerton School Board President Juan Castillo, and Flagstaff Unified School District Superintendent Michael A. Penca. Here’s what they are saying: NEA AZ: “Senator Ruben Gallego is making clear that solving challenges facing public education requires more than talking about the problem—it requires real commitment to investing in students, educators, and the public schools they rely on. From the educator retention crisis and the rising cost of entering the teaching profession to student mental health, academic recovery, and ensuring every student has a pathway to college or a career, this initiative recognizes the interconnected challenges our public schools are facing” said AEA President Marisol Garcia. “Senator Gallego has consistently stood up for public schools and public educators, and we welcome his continued leadership in advancing a national education agenda that invests in people and communities at the heart of our public education system.” Somerton School Board President Juan Castillo: “As a lifelong educator and school board president, I strongly support the priorities outlined in this plan. Investing in our educators, protecting vital programs such as Title I and IDEA, expanding afterschool and summer learning, and preparing students for college and careers are essential to the future of Arizona. Every student, regardless of their ZIP code, background, or family income, deserves access to a high-quality public education and the opportunity to succeed.” JTED: “Pima JTED applauds Senator Ruben Gallego’s comprehensive Education Plan for strengthening public education and ensuring all students have the opportunity to improve their lives through a quality education” said CEO and Superintendent Kathy Prather. “We can attest to the need to address inequities in teacher pay to attract and retain talented educators, and we have proven that enhancing and supporting Career and Technical Education helps students develop the academic, technical, and workplace skills needed for a successful life.” See additional coverage below of Senator Gallego’s education plan: AZ Mirror: ‘We can’t just be anti-Trumpers’: Gallego pitches education vision for Democratic majority [Caitlin Sievers, 9/8/2026] If Democrats take control of one or both chambers of Congress in November, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego wants to be ready. On Tuesday, Gallego released a wide ranging plan to reverse President Donald Trump’s dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, and to improve public education across the country with increased support from the federal government. “We can’t just be anti-Trumpers,” Gallego told the Arizona Mirror. “We have to actually have a vision of where we want to go with education.” KTAR News: Sen. Ruben Gallego unveils 4-part plan to restore America’s public education system [Shira Tanzer, 9/14/2026] U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego has introduced a four-part plan to restore the public education system across the country. The Arizona Democrat’s goal is to increase access to education for every student, including those in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas, as well as to improve teacher retention, protect education funding and create school-to-workforce pathways. Gallego told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the plan was created to improve schooling nationally, but it’s also personal. “I have a 9-year-old boy. I worry about his education all the time,” he said. “And I have two other kids that are coming right behind him that will be starting school not too long after. And so, this is really a reflection of my worries about them, my hopes for them — and for the millions of other American kids too.”