The Leadership Conference Condemns the Continued Dismantling of the Department of Education

A PDF copy of this statement is available here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]

WASHINGTON — Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement:

“The continued dismantling of the Department of Education is one of the most insidious attempts to undermine our freedoms; ruining our futures and those of future generations. If the administration does move the Office for Civil Rights and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services out of the Education Department, students and families will have fewer opportunities to advocate for their needs. Separating these offices into the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services will also create a patchwork system where students, from kindergarteners to PhD candidates, are left confused and without the opportunities they need to thrive.

“Both the Office for Civil Rights and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services work together to protect and provide support that marginalized and disabled students deserve. The ability to learn in a classroom that truly meets students’ needs, free from discrimination, is one of the best tools we have to better people’s lives.

“Building an America as good as its ideals requires an America where everyone has equal opportunity to quality and safe education.”