President's 2011 Budget Represents Opportunity to Close Achievement Gap

Campaign for High School Equity Calls for Focus on High School Students of Color for Meaningful Outcomes

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Campaign for High School Equity (CHSE), a coalition of civil rights organizations focused on high school education reform, applauds President Obama's request for a $3-4 billion increase in education spending, which reflects an understanding that there can be no economic recovery without a better educated citizenry. The increase represents a real opportunity to address the achievement gap plaguing America's high schools and keeping many of our young people from excelling in college and careers.

CHSE is encouraged by the President's call for the reauthorization and funding of a strengthened Elementary and Secondary Education Act and his focus on college- and career-readiness for all students. Resources to extend the Race to the Top and Investing in Innovation Funds, increase School Turnaround Grants, and invest in the development and equitable distribution of strong teachers and school leaders also represent positive changes.

"As an organization fighting for the civil rights of students of color and Native students, CHSE finds much to like in the President's call for high academic standards, rigorous student and teacher assessments, and focus on the lowest-performing schools," said Michael Wotorson, CHSE's executive director. "At the same time, we question the lack of focus on English language learner and Native students, who represent some of our most disenfranchised youth, and look forward to learning the details of the President's proposed policy initiatives, including College Pathways and Accelerated Learning and 21st Century Community Learning Centers."

CHSE is a coalition of leading civil rights organizations representing communities of color that is focused on high school education reform. Members include the National Urban League, National Council of La Raza, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 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