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 Higher Education
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 for higher education.
Read Our Civil Rights Principles for Higher Education ›
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
Strong Civil Rights Data Collection Needed for Best Educational Outcomes
WASHINGTON - In response to the Department of Education’s proposal to limit the scope of the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and 56 other civil rights and education groups submitted joint comments stating serious concerns that such a move would “certainly hamper the ability of the department to fulfill its legal obligations and would undermine our shared interest in the best education for every child.”
Civil Rights Groups: For-Profit Colleges Exploit Black and Latino Students
WASHINGTON – The Leadership Conference Education Fund released its policy brief, “Gainful Employment: A Civil Rights Perspective,” today describing the exploitation of Black and Latino students by for-profit colleges and urging the Department of Education to enforce the Higher Education Act and protect students. Twenty-one civil rights, consumer lending, and education groups signed onto the brief, demanding Secretary DeVos propose a new rule to advance equity and protect students’ civil rights.
Federal Court Confirms Race-Conscious Admissions in Harvard Affirmative Action Case
WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the Massachusetts District Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard:
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.
How You Can Ensure ESSA Implementation Helps to Build More Equitable Schools
In 2015, the Every Students Succeeds Act became law. It is the most recent update to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act. This law describes what schools, districts, and states must do to receive federal funding to support their elementary and secondary schools.
There are opportunities in the implementation of the law to ensure that community voices are heard and that schools reflect the values and priorities of those communities. This guide for advocates describes: what the law requires of schools, districts, and states; what major levers for equity exist in the law and its implementation; and how advocates can shape the implementation of the law and have a voice in decision-making.