Early Care and Education Policies Must Advance Equity, Protect Civil Rights 

Education News, Education Resources 03.9,22

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Charmaine Riley, [email protected], 202.548.7166

47 civil rights organizations release principles to create meaningful equal opportunity and success for all children and families

WASHINGTON — The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, along with 46 civil rights and education organizations, today released Civil Rights Principles for Early Care and Education. The principles outline how decision makers at all levels can ensure an education system that offers meaningful equal opportunity and success for all children, especially those who have been historically marginalized.

“The civil rights community calls on decision makers at all levels to create and maintain an equitable early care and education system for children, families, and providers by incorporating these principles into all relevant policies,” the groups wrote. 

In order to advance equity and protect civil rights for young children, their families, and caregivers, the signers call for an early care and education system defined by: 

  • Inclusion and non-discrimination;
  • Culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate care;
  • Parent/family/caregiver involvement and participation;
  • Diverse, healthy, and supportive work environments;
  • Diverse and accessible early care settings;
  • Prioritizing marginalized children on the path to universal programs;
  • Inclusive and proactive decision-making;
  • Rejecting the criminalization and exclusion of young children;
  • Significantly increasing funding for head start and expand income eligibility; and 
  • Quality rooted in equity

The Civil Rights Principles for Early Care and Education are available here. 

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 230 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 and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.