Education Department Civil Rights Data Underscore Need to Push for Equity in Education, Says CAP's Carmel Martin

Washington, D.C. — Educational inequities—from access to early learning opportunities and advanced courses to the use of school discipline—are persistent across U.S. schools, new data from the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education show. Carmel Martin, executive vice president for Policy at the Center for American Progress, released the following statement:

More than 50 years ago, civil rights laws enacted by President Lyndon Johnson, such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, laid the groundwork for the notion that the U.S. education system should serve as a critical tool in the war against poverty and inequality. That law, and other civil rights bills that followed in its footsteps—such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act—have helped move our education system in the direction of justice and equality for all. New data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights show that, while we have made significant progress, far more needs to be done to ensure that all students—regardless of their background, ZIP code, ability, or the color of their skin—have access to a high-quality education.

More often than not, it is our most vulnerable children—students of color, low-income students, English language learners, and students with disabilities—who bear the brunt of such inequality, including a lack of access to early learning opportunities and advanced courses. In K-12 settings, these children are also disproportionately the recipients of school disciplinary actions and suspensions. In early childhood settings, very young African American children see far higher rates of such actions.  Inequality has no place in our schools, and these stark statistics remind us of the need to continue the fight for real and tangible equity in education.

For more information, visit www.Amrivcanprogress.org.

Featured

  • Elevating Campus Maintenance: How Power Wash Drones are Transforming Educational Facilities

    As today’s campuses grow larger and more architecturally complex, keeping exteriors clean, safe, and inviting has never been tougher. Facilities leaders are under constant pressure to stretch budgets, meet safety standards, and support sustainability goals—all while tackling the stubborn challenge of exterior cleaning.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

  • The Role of Unified Communications in Hyflex Education

    Academic technology and pedagogy have evolved in ways few could have imagined a decade ago. Today, hybrid/flexible (or hyflex) learning environments — a mix of in-person and remote instruction — are the new normal. However, as promising as it sounds, making hyflex work smoothly is no small feat.

  • Spaces4Learning Announces Winners of 2025 Product Awards

    Spaces4Learning has just announced the winners of the 2025 Product Awards! The award program recognizes innovation and excellence in products that enhance learning environments in K–12 schools and institutions of higher education.

Digital Edition