GROUPS ASK CONGRESS TO STRENGTHEN EQUITY AND ENSURE A GENUINE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN IN ALL SCHOOLS

The Forum on Educational Accountability (FEA) today called on U.S. policymakers to address Opportunity to Learn concerns, such as directing federal funds to enhance school equity, in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. In a statement titled "All Children Deserve the Opportunity to Learn," the education, civil rights and other leaders also called on the new National Commission on Education Equity and Excellence, announced by Education Secretary Arne Duncan and beginning its deliberations today, to adopt FEA's recommendations.

The FEA statement urged Congress to take action to address six core areas: 

• address funding disparities and equity in education;
• support students with diverse learning needs, both in and out of school;
• take additional steps to ensure all children have access to highly effective teachers, leaders and other school personnel;
• provide increased access to opportunity through high quality preschool;
• work with states to ensure adequate school facilities, programs, and services; and
• promote school policies, including discipline, that ensure a climate conducive to learning.  

"Most people agree that all children deserve an opportunity to learn to their fullest potential," explained Molly Hunter, director of the Education Justice Project at the Education Law Center. "The FEA statement makes clear what they really need to succeed. These simple steps would help kids and our communities succeed, and would make our nation stronger."

Jan Resseger, Minister for Public Education and Witness at the United Church of Christ, added, "The members of FEA are deeply committed to remedying pervasive disparities in school conditions and resources. Our society must come to recognize that closing opportunity gaps is key to closing achievement gaps."

FEA seeks to advance the goals of the Joint Organizational Statement on NCLB, now signed by 153 national education, civil rights, religious, disability, parent, labor, and civic groups representing more than 50 million Americans. The OTL Statement and additional information about FEA's proposals for ESEA reauthorization are available at http://www.edaccountability.org.

The National Association for the Education of African American Children with Learning Disabilities (NAEAACLD) is a member of the Forum on Educational Accountability (FEA).