An issue of crucial importance to tens of millions of parents, students, and teachers has inexplicably gotten short shrift this election season. Nary a word was uttered about public education on either the presidential or vice-presidential debate stages. It is rarely mentioned by pollsters and pundits as a top-tier issue. But education is on the ballot next week-and the stakes are existential. Will we vote to strengthen the public schools that 90 percent of America’s children and families rely on, or to weaken and ultimately destroy our last remaining truly public institution?