ELC works with civil rights partners to question Trump nominations
Dear Friends,

As you may know, the Senate has been holding confirmation hearings for many of President-elect Trump's Cabinet picks, including Senator Jeff Sessions as Attorney General and Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education. Both positions have great power and influence over civil rights and education decisions that will impact the lives of students for years to come.

In response to these nominations, the Education Law Center has joined with civil rights groups across the country to voice our concerns about the records of both Senator Sessions and Ms. DeVos. We question the strength of these nominees' commitment to our mission: ensuring equal access to a quality public education for all children in Pennsylvania.

As advocates for the most vulnerable students -- children living in poverty, children of color, children in the foster care and juvenile justice systems, LGBT youth, children with disabilities, English Language Learners, and children experiencing homelessness -- we are concerned that students' access to education could be significantly harmed by the policies espoused by these nominees.

For example, Ms. DeVos favors education vouchers. Education vouchers are stipends given to families that they can use for private or parochial schools. Not only are these schools allowed to discriminate in admitting students, but they can discriminate in disciplining students and are not required to abide by certain federal laws that protect students with disabilities. The money for vouchers comes from public funds, which means that they also rob public schools of much-needed resources. Ms. DeVos' history also raises concerns about whether she will protect schools as a safe learning environment for LGBT and other students. Ms. DeVos and her husband have financially supported anti-LGBT causes and harmful practices (e.g. conversion therapy).

Senator Sessions also raises alarm bells for families and advocates concerned about civil rights and the systemic inequities faced by our country's most vulnerable children. He has a history of opposing and restricting the civil rights of people of color, including stricter requirements on voting rights. We are concerned by his statements disparaging the laws protecting students with disabilities and his open hostility to LGBT students and parents. As a civil rights organization, we worry about giving the nation's top law enforcement job to someone who appears to support rights for some, but not all.

If confirmed, both Senator Sessions and Ms. DeVos will wield enormous power in determining the implementation of key civil rights protections and in controlling billions of dollars in federal education spending. Their policies and decisions will reach into every classroom in America and could fundamentally reshape public education in ways that harm the most educationally vulnerable students.

It is now more important than ever that we push for reforms and increased resources at the state and local levels to push back against nominations that threaten our progress and future.

The Education Law Center remains more committed than ever to fighting on behalf of the rights of all students - regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, or ZIP code - to receive a quality public education.

Thank you for continuing to stand with us in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,


Deborah Gordon Klehr
Executive Director
United Way Donor Choice Code: 1873 (Southeastern PA)

A copy of the Education Law Center's official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.  
Ensuring access to a quality public education for all children in Pennsylvania
 
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