The State of the Union: Administration, Congress Must Pair Education Investment With Policy Change, Says Campaign for High School Equity

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Campaign for High School Equity (CHSE), a coalition of civil rights organizations focused on high school education reform, is encouraged by President Obama's call for investment in education and encourages swift action to maximize its effect.

During last night's State of the Union address, the President correctly equated education with economic recovery and noted that in America, income and zip code should not determine the quality of a child's education. According to CHSE, successful education reform depends on elevating academic standards, improving educational data, and bringing the most effective teachers into high school classrooms. However, to have a real impact on the achievement gap that plagues our high schools, investment must be coupled with policies that make high standards and graduation the norm.

CHSE notes that delivering on the promise of a world-class education for every American child is essential to facilitating long-term economic recovery. For instance, the Alliance for Excellent Education has found that halving the number of 2008 high school dropouts in the nation's largest cities and metropolitan areas would increase combined earnings by $4.1 billion, state and local tax revenues by up to $536 million, and the gross regional products of their areas by $5.3 billion every year.

"The President's proposal indicates a commitment to the success of every child," said Michael Wotorson, executive director of CHSE. "But to make lasting reform a reality and to truly impact the economy, now is the time for an intense effort on behalf of his administration to strengthen and reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Only then can we institutionalize the changes that will make a difference to every high school student nationwide, regardless of race or socioeconomic status."

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