New TN Ad Campaign Urges Senator Alexander to Protect All Students’ Right to Quality Education

Memphis, TN — A radio ad campaign starting this week calls on Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) to stand for educational equity in thereauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

The ad campaign, also running in North Carolina regarding Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), addresses proposals pending in Congress that could strip federal protections for vulnerable students from the ESEA. The Senate bill is currently being negotiated in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which Alexander chairs. 

Since its passage in the wake of Brown v. Board of Education, ESEA has been our nation’s driving force for educational equity, ensuring that school districts across the country provide a quality education to all students, including students of color, students with disabilities, English-language learners, and low-income students.

It’s imperative that the Senate reauthorization preserve protections and resources for students and parents help them hold their schools accountable for equitable funding and outcomes. Should these be stripped, the result for these groups of students and for our nation would be devastating.

Because of his leadership role as Chairman of the Senate HELP Committee, Senator Alexander will play a key role in this debate. The ads, which will air in Memphis, call on citizens to contact Senator Alexander’s local office and urge him to ensure that the ESEA gives students the education they’re entitled to.

To listen to the ad, click here.

Text of the ads running in Tennessee:

Right now, lawmakers in Washington are threatening to turn back the clock on the precious progress we’ve made in educating minority students.

For 50 years, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act has been our country’s most effective tool for seeing that our children get an equal education—regardless of family background, color, or income. But some in Congress want to weaken that tool—and make it harder for parents to know whether their children are getting the education they deserve.

Our Senator, Lamar Alexander, can make a difference in helping preserve the gains we’ve made—but only if we make our voices heard.

Call Senator Alexander today at (901) 544-4224 that is (901) 544-4224 and urge him to ensure that the Elementary and Secondary Education Act gives our children the education they’re entitled to.

Paid for by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

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