Education
Fighting to protect the civil rights of all students in America — regardless of background or zip code
America should be a place where every child, no matter their unique circumstances, can grow up to be what they dream. And yet our nation continues to erect discriminatory barriers that unfairly limit or deny educational opportunity.
At The Leadership Conference, we work to transform public education so that all young people can attend safe, inclusive, and resourced schools that prepare them for successful futures. We also aim to transform education decision-making at the local, state, and federal levels so that diverse and intersectional voices drive reform.
Educational equity is a civil and human right. But in the past two years, the Trump administration has led the charge to roll back protections for students with disabilities, survivors of sexual assault on campuses, students of color, and other vulnerable communities. In response, our coalition is leading a coordinated effort to protect the rights and safety of students and ensure every child in America can forge the best path to their future.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela
Recent Webinars
Webinars presented by The Leadership Conference Education Fund in collaboration with member organizations of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Civil Rights Principles for the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act
In 2018, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, The Leadership Conference Education Fund, and 46 other civil rights and education groups put forth civil rights principles to be included in any reauthorization of the landmark Higher Education Act.
Read Our Civil Rights Principles ›
Know Your Rights: The Educational Rights of Immigrant Children
The Constitution and the Supreme Court guarantee all children in the United States the right to attend school regardless of their immigration status.
Conozca Sus Derechos: Los Derechos Educativos De Los Niños Inmigrantes
La Constitución y la Corte Suprema les garantizan a todos los niños en los Estados Unidos el derecho a la educación pública sin importar su estatus migratorio.
Latest News
Civil Rights Groups Urge Department of Education to Withdraw Title IX Proposed Rules
WASHINGTON –The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and 44 national and local education and civil rights groups sent a letter today to Assistant Secretary Ken Marcus and the Department of Education responding to the Department’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend rules implementing Title IX.
Civil Rights Groups Shame Department of Education for Reinstating ECA
WASHINGTON – Today, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and 12 national and local education and civil rights groups sent a letter to Secretary Betsy DeVos and the Department of Education regarding the reaccreditation of the Education Corporation of America (ECA), a for-profit academic institution that historically and disproportionately disenfranchises black and brown students.
Civil Rights Groups Demand Trump Administration Vigorously Protect Students from Discrimination
WASHINGTON – In the last days of 2018, the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice rescinded the joint Dear Colleague Letter on the Nondiscriminatory Administration of School Discipline.
Students Deserve Better
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has demonstrated she doesn’t care about students’ civil rights. Join the #StudentsDeserveBetter campaign to urge the Department of Education to protect the civil rights of all students in America.
Visit Students Deserve Better ›
Education Task Force
The Education Task Force works to ensure children in grades K-12 and students in higher education experience positive school climates, are safe in their academic environment, and have equitable access to high-quality educational services. Together, the members of the task force developed a comprehensive list of priority legislative initiatives that strive to protect and expand students’ civil rights, as well as remove barriers to education for historically marginalized students.
Advocating for Educational Equity & High Standards
Since 2010, states across the country have taken an important first step towards greater equity. More than 40 states have adopted new, high, and consistent standards to raise the bar for what each student should know and be able to do by the end of each grade so they can graduate college- and career-ready.
Since every child is being asked to meet higher standards, states and school districts have an obligation to provide every resource necessary to teachers, schools, and parents so that children meet those standards. Parents and local leaders must be at the forefront of advocating for equity and holding school systems accountable to ensuring every child graduates college- and career-ready. These toolkits were created to educate, equip, encourage and empower you to advocate for greater education equity in your local community.