Groups Say Common Core Needed to Fulfill Promise of Brown Decision
On Monday, The Leadership Conference joined with several other civil rights and education groups in signing onto a full-page ad placed in the New York Times to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the landmark school desegregation decision in Brown v. Board of Education and to demonstrate their strong, united support for the equitable implementation of the Common Core State Standards.
The Brown decision was handed down on May 17, 1954. In his opinion for the unanimous Supreme Court, Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote that it is “doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education…a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.”
Echoing Warren, the groups said in a joint statement that while Brown “ended legal segregation in America’s public schools in May 1954, separate and unequal resources and expectations have remained a reality for many students. Still, we believe that the opportunities for a bright future and a fair chance to achieve their potential are achievable for all children – and the responsible implementation of the Common Core State Standards is a critical piece in the continuing fight for equity.”
The Common Core State Standards are a set of high-quality math and English language arts standards developed by state education officials across the country to ensure that students graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to be college or career-ready. Currently, 44 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the standards and are working to implement them.
The organizations featured in the ad include the National Urban League, National Action Network, National Council of La Raza, NAACP, Campaign for High School Equity, Alliance for Excellent Education, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, NALEO Educational Fund and National Indian Education Association.
See the ad here.
Read the joint statement here.