Christian Nationalists & Right Wingers Are Coming 4 Your Child's Education - Take A Stand Long Beach

Hey everyone, Adreana here. As a Long Beach resident, I've been deeply concerned about the future of public education. I recently released a podcast episode where my co-host Alison and I break down how a potential Trump administration's policies could affect our students, especially those with special needs.

We discuss Project 2025's blueprint to "eliminate the Department of Education" and its proposed transfer of special education programs to the Department of Health and Human Services. Experts fear this would promote a "medical model of disability" , shifting crucial support away from schools and creating significant challenges for families.

The good news is, we have a local opportunity to get informed and take action. My church, First Congregational Church of Long Beach, is hosting an Education Forum.

EDUCATION FORUM

WHEN: Sunday August 17, 2025
WHAT TIME: 11:30am
WHERE: First Congregational Church of Long Beach 241 Cedar Avenue LB, CA 90802 in the Koinonia Room
ALTERNATIVE WHERE: Download the event flier below and contact the email address on it to get the credentials for the Zoom room for this event.
WHO: Featured speaker is Dr. Tiffany Brown, Deputy Superintendent of Long Beach Unified School District
WHY: Dr. Brown will discuss actions the district is taking and the community can take to protect and support students in the face of these attacks on the Department of Education

You can listen to the full podcast episode here:

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. How do you think these policies will affect our schools here in Long Beach?

PODCAST CHAPTERS

• He's Got a Plan Philadelphia Soul Version (Opening Song - lyrics and melody by Adreana Langston) [0:00 - 0:31]
• Welcome & Introduction: The Threat to Public Education [0:00:32 - 1:56]
• Case Studies: Stories of Vulnerable Students [1:57 - 7:29]
• The Story of Jolene Baxter & Marlee [1:57 - 3:21]
• The Story of Jessie Damroth & Logan [3:22 - 5:11]
• The Story of Pam Nichols & Spencer [5:12 - 7:29]
• The Unraveling of Federal Oversight: Project 2025 [7:30 - 15:56]
• Eliminating the Department of Education [8:24 - 9:44]
• Stripping Civil Rights Protections [10:55 - 11:53]
• The Push for Private School Vouchers [11:54 - 14:44]
• Censorship and Ideological Control [14:45 - 15:56]
• The Long History of Attacks on Public Education [16:30 - 34:15]
• The Ideology Behind Project 2025 [16:51 - 22:08]
• Christian Reconstructionism and Theocratic Goals [22:09 - 25:07]
• Undermining Public School Funding and Unions [25:08 - 28:34]
• The History of "Segregation Academies" [28:35 - 34:15]
• The War on Teacher's Unions: A Political Strategy [34:55 - 41:25]
• Unions as a GOP Target [35:12 - 37:37]
• The Tort Reform Playbook [37:38 - 40:02]
• The Post-Janus Campaign [40:03 - 41:25]
• The Direct Impact on Students with Disabilities & Marginalized Groups [42:22 - 59:16]
• Threat to IDEA Funding and Civil Rights [42:55 - 49:50]
• The End of Title I, Head Start, and School Meals [49:51 - 56:19]
• Cuts to Higher Education and English Learner Programs [56:20 - 59:16]
• Call to Action: The Long Beach Education Forum [59:17 - 1:04:12]
• He's Got a Plan (Disco Version - lyrics and melody by Adreana Langston ) [1:04:13 - 1:04:54]