Posted by
Defend America on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 6:27:06 AM
Duncan will pressure schools to enforce civil rights laws
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 8, 2010
Education Secretary Arne Duncan
plans to announce Monday that his agency is ramping up enforcement of
civil rights laws in schools and colleges, a move that seeks to draw a
contrast with the policies of his Republican predecessors.
In a speech drafted for an appearance at a civil rights landmark in
Selma, Ala., Duncan said the department's Office for Civil Rights
expects to issue a series of guidance letters to educators to address
"issues of fairness and equity." He said the department will also
announce in coming weeks and months several enforcement actions to
ensure that students have equal access to a college-prep curriculum,
advanced courses, and classes in math and science.
"The truth is that, in the last decade, the Office for Civil Rights
has not been as vigilant as it should have been in combating gender and
racial discrimination and protecting the rights of individuals with
disabilities," Duncan said in the draft speech. "But that is about to change."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/07/AR2010030702285.html