Keep Education Bill's Civil Rights Promise

  • by: Loron Hays
  • recipient: Senate Majority and Minority Leadership and Education Committee Chairs

The US Senate has passed Every Child Achieves without the equity provisions that are so central to equitable education opportunities for ALL children. 

Without access to educational resources and much needed Title 1 funding, many of America's children will continue to slip through the cracks. This Ed Week article articulates the concern being raised by some advocacy groups that, without meaningful federal accountability, educational opportunities for every student are not properly protected.

According to The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights' letter to Congress, ESEA, in its current form, promises that the opportunity gap for minorities, ESL students, and students receiving special education services will remain in place due to a push from the House for less federal involvement with providing equal services for disadvantaged students.

Differences between the House bill and the Senate bill must be reconciled before it is placed on the President's desk which means THERE IS STILL TIME TO ACT.  It is our duty to remind the Leadership that the Every Child Achieves Act (ECAA) is civil rights legislation.  We must act NOW as their summer break - beginning July 30 and lasting until September - is quickly approaching.

Sign the petition today.  Let your voice be heard.  Tell congress to strengthen the accountability in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and provide the necessary support to close the opportunity gap for underserved student populations in underperforming schools.

We MUST invest in ALL of our students, not just the privileged.   

Dear Decision Maker,

As someone who cares about equitable education and closing the opportunity gap, I urge you to strengthen the Elementary and Secondary Education Act's provisions for accountability and resources to support traditionally underserved children in our schools, including kids living in poverty, those with special education needs, and English as a second language learners.

[Your comments]

Sincerely,

[Your name]
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