Education

The right to an education isn’t just about obtaining good grades – students are learning lifelong skills that will help them to become tomorrow’s leading citizens.

It is important for black and minority students and families to know their rights. The United States Constitution has amendments, known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights ensures and assures that basic rights are provided for every US citizen. Some state and federal laws provide for additional rights as well.

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954) (USSC+)
Argued December 9, 1952
Reargued December 8, 1953
Decided May 17, 1954
APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS*

“Today, education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments. Compulsory school attendance laws and the great expenditures for education both demonstrate our recognition of the importance of education to our democratic society. It is required in the performance of our most basic public responsibilities, even service in the armed forces.

It is the very foundation of good citizenship. Today, it is a principal instrument in awakening the child to cultural values, in preparing him for later professional training, and in helping him to adjust normally to his environment. In these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education.

Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.”

“Equity – Each child has access to relevant and challenging academic experiences and educational resources necessary for success across race, gender, ethnicity, language, disability, family background and/or income….”

Equality is part of the importance of the Bill of Rights.

Every child has the right to an equal, public education.

The commitment to equality and equity in the strategic plan, as well as the noted disparities that exist, create the imperative for the creation of this task force to focus on improving educational outcomes for Ohio’s children who are Black.

EDUCATION INNOVATION

Teaching

Build a stronger, more diverse pipeline of teachers

Increase mentoring and coaching to allow teachers to amass more experience, which reduces turnover and improves the classroom practice experience

Support more teachers in acquiring advanced certification, expanding teachers' abilities to address a wider range of content

Racial Justice in Education

The NAACP uses strategies, partnerships and investments to create transformational change. Black children deserve to experience culturally relevant, student-centered learning — not extreme punishments or hallways staffed with police officers. We work to expand policies and interventions that equip families and communities to better support their kids’ needs in school.

Resources

The NAACP will advocate at every level to target funds towards kids who’ve been denied them:

Advocate for federal reforms that aim to make Title I (the largest federal aid program for public schools) more targeted, so federal dollars support students in communities with more low-income families

Work toward state reforms that target extra funds to low-wealth school districts

Target district reforms so schools serving the neediest students are targeted for increased funds based on individual students' needs

Addressing Discipline Policies Inside Of Schools

Reform policies that prevent student success and keep students inside of the classroom:

Advocate for reform issues of discipline in ESEA, the main federal law that addresses achievement gaps among students

Change state laws to remove zero tolerance policies from being a default or requirement for districts

Address power, privilege inequities

Advocate for policies that ensure students being disciplined get access to a challenging curriculum

College & Career Readiness

Create and build a postgraduate path to success for all students:

Create benchmarking systems for high school graduation that keep students on a path to college-ready, trade, or military post graduation

Create innovative whole-school reform models that can improve academic achievement at lowest performing schools

Help local districts and turnaround schools address issues of school climate, extended learning time, and connect students with social service and academic supports to graduate ready to begin college or work