LULAC Responds to the Strengthening America’s Schools Act of 2013

June 5, 2013

Contact: Paloma Zuleta, 202-833-6130, PZuleta (at) LULAC . org

Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Margaret Moran, National President of the League of the United Latin American Citizens released the following statement regarding the introduction of Strengthening America’s Schools Act of 2013 by Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). The bill will reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) commonly known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

“LULAC appreciates Senator Harkin for introducing legislation that is paramount in addressing the many education challenges that underserved student populations face. We join other civil rights organizations in expressing the need to move beyond the current ESEA waivers system. Of particular importance to LULAC is ensuring that strong accountability provisions are included in the bill which will ensure that Latino students receive proper attention and instruction in our schools. We look forward to working with Senator Harkin as the process continues and urge our membership to keep a watchful eye on the legislation as it moves through the Senate.

“According to some estimates, Latino students today make up 11 million of the country’s public education system and compose over 20% of the students enrolled in pre-K through twelfth grade. Today, Latino students are achieving at higher rates but continue to face challenges that can only be addressed by working collaboratively with education advocates and political leaders.”

The ESEA was previously introduced in 2010. LULAC, the Hispanic Education Coalition, co-chaired by LULAC, and the Campaign for High School Equity, submitted recommendations to the Senate HELP Committee regarding the reauthorization of ESEA. Unfortunately, that bill failed to move out of the Senate.

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About LULAC
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 900 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