LULAC Responds to the Release of the Senate Bipartisan Agreement on the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
April 9, 2015
Washington, D.C. - Today, LULAC National Executive Director Brent Wilkes released the following statement following Tuesday's unveiling of bipartisan legislation to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The bill was introduced by Senate Education Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA).
"There is no doubt that ESEA needs to be reauthorized and LULAC is encouraged by the ongoing bipartisan work of Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray.”
“However, we are concerned that the proposed legislation does not include critical subgroup accountability measures that ensure Latino students and other underserved minorities do not fall through the cracks. Ensuring the success of underserved students with subgroup accountability measures should be a central part of ESEA, which at its core is a civil rights bill.”
"In addition, although much progress has been made to improve graduation and college enrollment rates among Latino students, the bill does not require intervention for schools with high dropout rates. The lack of strong language requiring action could substantially undermine the progress we have made over the years.”
"While the bill still needs much review, LULAC is encouraged by the language that attempts to strike a balance on assessments. LULAC looks forward to continue working with the Senate HELP committee to address these critical needs.”
###
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.