Civil and Human Rights Coalition Commemorates 50th Anniversary of ESEA, Calls for Strong Reauthorization
WASHINGTON –– Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in advance of the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s signing of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) on April 11. The Senate is expected to mark up a bipartisan reauthorization of the ESEA next week:
“Fifty years ago, President Johnson signed the ESEA into law to advance the promise of equality and opportunity for all children in America.
For half a century, the ESEA has helped protect the rights and interests of students disadvantaged by discrimination, poverty, disabilities, and language barriers, yet educational inequality continues to quash dreams, hinder economic growth, and weaken our democracy. We have made extraordinary progress but so much work remains to be done.
As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ESEA, the Senate is preparing to mark up a bipartisan reauthorization of this historic law. This proposal rolls back federal oversight and accountability for student outcomes, fails to make progress on the equitable distribution of resources, and doesn’t collect important data about the communities we represent. Congress must reauthorize a strong ESEA that protects children and civil rights. We cannot turn back the clock on the progress we’ve made; any reauthorization that is weaker than current law should not move forward.”
Wade Henderson is president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership 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 and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.
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