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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.

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

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


The US Constitution requires that all children have equal access and to be provided with an equal education. This means that regardless of race, disability, wealth, sexual orientation, HIV status, pregnancy, gender, US citizen or non-citizen, age. People who are in the US illegally still have the right to attend public school. In Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court mandated that segregation could no longer occur in public schools.

EDUCATION INNOVATION 

Teaching

Our communities need culturally competent teachers:

  • 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