Civil and Human Rights Coalition Applauds Bobby Scott Amendment to Education Reauthorization

WASHINGTON –Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president and director of policy at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in response to Congressman Bobby Scott’s introduction of an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization that restores the most important provisions for vulnerable students, which were stripped from the proposed House and Senate bills:

“We are thankful that vulnerable students have a seat at the table with Congressman Scott’s amendment, which restores the original intent of ESEA—to ensure that every child receives an adequate education, regardless of their race, disability status, income, gender, or zip code.

The reauthorization bills currently pending in the House and Senate would be disastrous for vulnerable students and their parents by stripping out the law’s emphasis on narrowing achievement gaps and promoting equity in resources and outcomes.

We know that when states and school districts collaborate with the federal government, achievement rates go up and students are better served.  The civil rights community believes that any education reauthorization must honor this principle by including the provisions in this amendment.”

Nancy Zirkin is the executive vice president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference, visit www.civilrights.org.