Civil Rights Coalition Challenges Nation's School Boards to Lead Progress Toward Higher Academic Standards

Campaign for High School Equity Points to Potential to Improve Academic Achievement, Lower Dropout Rates as Immediate Benefit of Common Core State Standards Initiative

SAN FRANCISCO, April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- High quality academic standards hold tremendous potential for closing the achievement gap and preparing America's students for success in the global market place. As part of the National School Board Association's Annual Conference in San Francisco, the Campaign for High School Equity (CHSE) recently engaged school board members in a comprehensive dialogue on ways to ensure the Common State Standards Initiative is implemented effectively and with meaningful input from diverse communities.

"The nation's school boards have the power to equally equip every student for success in college and a career, regardless of zip code, income, race, or ethnicity," said CHSE's executive director Michael Wotorson. "So I would encourage these  elected officials to continue to work closely with communities of color to ensure that comprehensive policies are in place to provide those students, teachers, and schools that are disproportionately affected by low standards with the supports they need to reach higher standards."

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a voluntary, state-led effort to improve graduation rates and increase academic achievement. School board members who attended a two-part session hosted by CHSE represented many of the forty-three states that have adopted common core state standards since 2007.

The implementation of higher academic standards highlights the need for robust federal leadership in setting conditions to  maximize student success. Common standards and other state-level strategies to maximize student success must be supported by a comprehensive federal policy that encourages high academic achievement and reverses the downward spiral of our education system.

During their discussion with school board members, CHSE partners shared strategies for using common standards to address the unique needs of students of color and Native students, who are more likely to attend low-performing schools. Reducing the dropout rate among students of color by half would help graduates earn $7.6 billion, helping to create jobs and to strengthen the economy.

For more information about the benefits common core state standards can bring to high school students and students of color, visit http://www.highschoolequity.org/common-standards. Follow CHSE on Twitter @hsequity for the latest in high school education. Join the CHSE community on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hsequity.

CHSE is a coalition of leading civil rights organizations that focuses on high school education reform. Members include the National Urban League, National Council of LaRaza, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Leadership Conference Education Fund, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, League of United Latin American Citizens, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, Alliance for Excellent Education, National Indian Education Association, and Southeast Asia Resource Action Center.

CHSE is a special project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

SOURCE Campaign for High School Equity