Show notes
In today’s Federal Flash, we pay tribute to the life of George Floyd and countless others whose killings show how much more must be done to address systemic racism in our country. We’ll also share new recommendations for prioritizing equity in the response to COVID-19 as well as several items from the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
Our Voices Must Be Heard
We at the Alliance for Excellent Education (All4Ed) are outraged by the horrific killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others. So much more must be done to end the ongoing fatal police shootings and other violence against Black people across the country. In a statement, Deb Delisle, president and CEO of All4Ed, said, “Candid, constructive conversations are long overdue; it is time for action. We at the Alliance for Excellent Education stand with those calling for justice and change in this country: our voices must be heard. We know students of color are disproportionately impacted by violence and trauma with a direct impact on students’ learning and well-being both in and out of school. I hope this unrest brings renewed attention to the differences between life’s realities for White people and people of color, along with the courage to create lasting change.”
All4Ed joined organizations nationwide to bring attention to the trauma this violence causes young people. All4Ed also joined more than 400 civil rights organizations, led by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, in calling for Congressional action to end police violence.
Recommendations for Prioritizing Equity During COVID-19
All4Ed and thirteen other education and civil rights organizations issued recommendations to states and districts for prioritizing equity in the ongoing response to COVID-19. The report, Coronavirus and the Classroom, covers six topics: (1) ensuring equity in fiscal policies; (2) meeting students’ basic needs; (3) expanding and improving remote learning; (4) easing the high school–to–college transition; (5) extending learning time; and (6) determining students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
In a statement, Janet Murguía, president and CEO of UnidosUS, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of students and families across the country, but it is among our most vulnerable students, including our nation’s 5 million English learners and low-income students, where the educational impact and barriers to learning have been far more acute. It is critical, then, that states and districts take steps that safeguard the academic success of all students during this time. These recommendations are a good foundation for states to build on and put students on a path to success in the upcoming school year.”
CARES Act Funding for Private Schools
Tensions also are running high in response to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy Devos’s interpretation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act as it relates to private schools. Secretary DeVos is calling on states to send millions of dollars from the CARES Act to private schools based on what many believe to be a flawed reading of the law.
As we described in a previous episode of the Federal Flash, DeVos issued guidance to states regarding a policy called “equitable services.” Under Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), children who are at-risk academically and who live in Title I school attendance areas, but enroll in private schools, are entitled to receive “equitable services” from their local public school district such as tutoring and expanded learning time programs.
To be clear, these services are provided to a narrow segment of students—those who are at-ri...
Our Voices Must Be Heard
We at the Alliance for Excellent Education (All4Ed) are outraged by the horrific killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others. So much more must be done to end the ongoing fatal police shootings and other violence against Black people across the country. In a statement, Deb Delisle, president and CEO of All4Ed, said, “Candid, constructive conversations are long overdue; it is time for action. We at the Alliance for Excellent Education stand with those calling for justice and change in this country: our voices must be heard. We know students of color are disproportionately impacted by violence and trauma with a direct impact on students’ learning and well-being both in and out of school. I hope this unrest brings renewed attention to the differences between life’s realities for White people and people of color, along with the courage to create lasting change.”
All4Ed joined organizations nationwide to bring attention to the trauma this violence causes young people. All4Ed also joined more than 400 civil rights organizations, led by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, in calling for Congressional action to end police violence.
Recommendations for Prioritizing Equity During COVID-19
All4Ed and thirteen other education and civil rights organizations issued recommendations to states and districts for prioritizing equity in the ongoing response to COVID-19. The report, Coronavirus and the Classroom, covers six topics: (1) ensuring equity in fiscal policies; (2) meeting students’ basic needs; (3) expanding and improving remote learning; (4) easing the high school–to–college transition; (5) extending learning time; and (6) determining students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
In a statement, Janet Murguía, president and CEO of UnidosUS, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of students and families across the country, but it is among our most vulnerable students, including our nation’s 5 million English learners and low-income students, where the educational impact and barriers to learning have been far more acute. It is critical, then, that states and districts take steps that safeguard the academic success of all students during this time. These recommendations are a good foundation for states to build on and put students on a path to success in the upcoming school year.”
CARES Act Funding for Private Schools
Tensions also are running high in response to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy Devos’s interpretation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act as it relates to private schools. Secretary DeVos is calling on states to send millions of dollars from the CARES Act to private schools based on what many believe to be a flawed reading of the law.
As we described in a previous episode of the Federal Flash, DeVos issued guidance to states regarding a policy called “equitable services.” Under Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), children who are at-risk academically and who live in Title I school attendance areas, but enroll in private schools, are entitled to receive “equitable services” from their local public school district such as tutoring and expanded learning time programs.
To be clear, these services are provided to a narrow segment of students—those who are at-ri...