National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial today issued the following statement on the release of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights guidance on racial disparity in American schools:
"Today, the Department of Education provided clear and unambiguous guidance that underscores the importance of equitable access to and resources for learning for all children. Accordingly, we support its release with enthusiasm and hope that it helps bring us closer to realizing the promise birthed 60 years ago by the Brown v. Board of Education decision.
The National Urban League recognizes that the real promise of equity and opportunity in education unfortunately remains unfulfilled, despite even the most well-intended efforts of stakeholders, policy makers and academic institutions. In the 13 years since the Department of Education last released guidance on this topic, investment outside of our borders has skyrocketed while investment in education has dwindled -- adversely impacting the academic outcomes and readiness for college and career of far too many students of color and those from low-income families. Achieving true equity and excellence in education involves all aspects of a child’s education, from resources and teachers to consistent educational standards – including the Common Core State Standards, which we believe if equitably implemented will help close the achievement gap and ensure that more students leave high school ready to enter college or start a career.
We look forward to working with the Department of Education to ensure that this guidance is implemented and reinforced, as well as that all children -- regardless of their race, where they live or how much money their parents make -- receive the same access to high quality educational resources they need to help them compete and succeed in education and in life."
