LULAC Opposes Current Senate Version of ESEA Bill - Every Child Achieves Act of 2015
July 15, 2015
Washington, D.C. – LULAC National President, Roger Rocha, today released the following statement in anticipation of the U.S. Senate’s vote on the Every Child Achieves Act of 2015, the latest version of the Senate rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
“On Thursday, the Senate will vote on the Every Child Achieves Act of 2015, the latest rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
"For the past several months, LULAC, along with other civil rights partners, has worked to educate members of Congress on the importance of making critical fixes to this legislation.
At committee and floor consideration, LULAC stressed that without strong subgroup accountability, better data, resource equity and language strengthening the federal role, the ECAA would do a great disservice to our children and nation.
I am disappointed that all these critical issues were not addressed on the Senate floor. Several amendments aimed at improving subgroup accountability and resource equity issues in the bill were all rejected by the Senate.
In fact, the current bill fails Latino children by not including critical language that ensures our students have the support and resources they need to succeed.
Because of this, LULAC urges Senators to vote NO on final passage of the Every Child Achieves Act of 2015.
Latino students must get the support and resources they need when they fall behind in schools. LULAC will continue to weigh in with Senate and House offices to push for conference language that protects Latino students.
Absent conference adoption of critical language that addresses these issues, LULAC believes the Every Child Achieves of Act of 2015 should not become law and will urge President Obama to veto legislation the falls short.”
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org.