“After Betsy DeVos’ harmful agenda of discrimination and exclusion, the country is in desperate need of a secretary who is not just committed to the mission of the U.S. Department of Education, but also has a demonstrated commitment to protecting students from discrimination, advancing racial, gender, and disability justice, working with historically marginalized students and families, and ensuring the nation’s students have equitable access to quality public educational opportunities. These are non-negotiable, foundational qualifications for leading the department.
“There are deep educational injustices in this country, which have been further compounded by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Students face too many barriers based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, and pregnancy and related medical conditions), first language, family income, and immigration status. The next secretary must have a track record of ensuring schools and campuses are safe, welcoming, and support the nurturing, growth, and development of all students. Educational equity is the right of every student, is critical to our nation’s future, and must be the top priority of the Secretary of Education.”
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Education Task Force Co-Chair
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., Education Task Force Co-Chair
National Women’s Law Center, Education Task Force Co-Chair
See recommendations for the Biden-Harris administration from across all of The Leadership Conference Task Forces regarding many consequential Executive Branch positions.
The Leadership Conference Education Task Force is a working group of the larger coalition that is dedicated to ensuring that all students are fully included in welcoming and responsive schools from early childhood through postsecondary education that prepare them for college, careers, life, and the full exercise of their civil and human rights.
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.
