Pass Economic Recovery Package Without Slashing Education

Joint Statement from: the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Alliance for Excellent Education, American Association of People with Disabilities, American Association of University Women, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, NAACP, National Council of La Raza, National Education Association, National Indian Education Association, National Women’s Law Center, and People For the American Way

“It is disgraceful for leaders in Washington to consider slashing education funds that would create and save badly needed jobs as well as prepare the next generation for the work force, on the very same day we learned that nearly 600,000 more Americans became unemployed last month.

School districts, teachers, principals, families and students don’t have powerful lobbyists to look out for their interests.  Neither do the thousands of needy three- to- five year olds who attend Head Start programs across the nation.

Shovel ready school construction, the preservation of classroom jobs, equipping labs, and training teachers can all have both immediate economic impact and profound long term impact on the life – and earning potential – of the students in those schools.

We are calling on Senators to pass the economic recovery package without any amendments that would cut investments in education that are not only critical for our children but also create desperately needed jobs.”