The Educational Opportunities Project strives to guarantee that all students receive equal educational opportunities in public schools and institutions of higher learning. Working with private law firms and community leaders, the Educational Opportunities Project has been particularly successful in challenging:
- School Integration
- The No Child Left Behind Act
- Parent Involvement
- Discriminatory Discipline and Classroom Assignment Practices
- Finance Adequacy
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Connecticut Judge Dismissed the State's Lawsuit Challenging the No Child Left Behind Act
The Lawyers' Committee is pleased to announce that its clients, the Connecticut NAACP, won another victory on April 28, 2008. The US District Court of Connecticut ruled that the US Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings did not act contrary to the law when she rejected the Connecticut's proposed plan amendments for not applying the same academic standards to all students.
In January 2006, the Lawyers' Committee sought to intervene on behalf the NAACP in the lawsuit, contending it threatened minority and poor schoolchildren. In October 2006, the judge dismissed the three of the four counts in this case due to lack of jurisdiction. Therefore, the State cannot sue in federal court claiming NCLB is an unfunded mandate.
NAACP Press Release
Judgment in Connecticut v. Spellings
Memorandum of Decision |
US Court of Appeals Issues Decision "Unfunded Mandates" in No Child Left Behind Case
Cincinnati, Ohio-On January 7, 2008, the US Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed and remanded the lower court's dismissal of the case Pontiac v. Spellings. The Court of Appeals ruled that Secretary Spellings is violating the Spending Clause of the US Constitution by requiring states and school districts to spend their own funds to comply with the law. This decision currently does not impact the outcome or our clients in the case Connecticut v. Spellings.
For the Sixth Circuit decision in Pontiac v. Spellings, click here
Lawyers' Committee Submits Amicus Brief in Connecticut Education Adequacy Case
On February 15, 2008, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law submitted an amicus brief to the Connecticut Supreme Court on behalf of the Connecticut State Conference NAACP and the Center for Children's Advocacy in the case of CCJEF v. Rell. The Connecticut Supreme Court is asked on appeal to consider whether the ‘fundamental right to an education' under the Connecticut State Constitution also includes the right to suitable, meaning adequate, educational opportunities. The trial court struck three of the plaintiffs' claims alleging that the Connecticut Constitution must provide a right to suitable educational opportunities. The Lawyers' Committeee's brief highlights the detrimental impact of low quality education on the future life outcomes of poor and minority students.
Download in PDF: Brief - A27 l
A28 - A39 l
A40 - A52 l
A53 - A77
A78 - A89 l
A90 - A102 l
A103 - A127 l
A128 - A152 l
A153 - A178
Lawyers' Committee Statement on Supreme Court Decision in K-12 School Diversity Cases
Lawyers’ Committee Both Hopeful and Disappointed by Court Opinion
By a narrow 5-4 split decision, the Court declared integration programs in Seattle and Louisville to be unconstitutional. However, in a positive sign for the future, a majority of the Justices, including Justice Anthony Kennedy, acknowledged that racial diversity serves a compelling governmental interest that public institutions may pursue through careful race-conscious efforts.
The Lawyers’ Committee is pleased that a majority of the Court recognized the vital need for integrated schools. Justice Kennedy’s opinion embraces the importance of local communities establishing and maintaining schools that reflect our nation’s rich diversity and highest call for equal educational opportunities. The Lawyers’ Committeewill continue to move forward and assist school districts and communities in pursuit of quality education for all children in the spirit of Brown v. Board of Education.
For Press Release, click here
For more information on the Seattle case, click here.
For brochure, click here
Moving Forward After the Supreme Court Decision: How Schools Can Still Achieve Racial Diversity.
For Power point, click here
For Amicus Brief submitted by the Lawyers’ Committee, click here
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Education Advocacy
Parents must serve as effective advocates and partners with schools to ensure quality educational opportunities for their children and communities. Therefore, we work to empower parents on how to navigate the public school system with knowledge on the federal No Child Left Behind Act, state and local school policies, and other education and civil rights law.
Click here for brochure
En Español
Program Materials and Presentations:
How to Make Sure Your Child is Not Left Behind
Winter 2008, Washington, DC--The Lawyers' Committee conducted a Parental Empowerment workshop at the Parent Teacher Association National Legislative Conference. The presentation included an overview of how parent and community organizations can train parents to advocate for school improvement and educational opportunities.
Click here for Parental Empowerment Power Point
Spring 2007, Connecticut—The Lawyers’ Committee, in partnership with the NAACP Connecticut State Conference, Connecticut Appleseed, and Connecticut for Achievement Now (ConnCAN), kicked off a series of four workshops in throughout the state of Connecticut (Bridgeport, Waterbury, Hartford, and New Haven/Hamden) to train parents on their rights and responsibilities to involvement in closing achievement gaps in Connecticut schools.
For Workshop Power Point Presentation, click here .
For Press Release, Click here.
For one-page overview of workshop, Click here.
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Parental Handbooks:
One Child at a Time: A Parents Guide to Advocating for Equal Educational Opportunities
Upcoming Presentation:
- Richmond County, North Carolina—September 22, 2007
- Charlotte, North Carolina – September 24, 2007
Parental Training Presentations:
As part of the parental empowerment program, the Lawyers' Committee conducts training forums to educate parents on how to effectively advocate for their children's rights in school. The trainings include a point presentation and in-depth review of each topic area, guidance/tips for parental action, and a question and answer period. Following presentations, the Lawyers Committee will help organizers develop an action list and assist with some specific advocacy needs. Our presentations require extensive local logistical support by parent and community organizers.
Past Presentations:
• Hartford, Connecticut: Town Hall Meeting on No Child Left Behind, NAACP State Convention – October 28, 2006
The Connecticut NAACP State Conference invited the Lawyers Committee to host a Town Hall Meeting on No Child Left Behind. Over 100 parents, students, educators, and community leaders attended to learn about the Lawyers Committee’s Parental Empowerment Program and how parents can take control of their children’s education and close the achievement gap under No Child Left Behind.
 
• Fayetteville, Georgia - September 15, 2006
The Public Policy Development of the Southeast Region, Inc. invited the Lawyers Committee to present a workshop at their 2006 Annual Education Symposium for parents and school faculty from six Georgia counties.
• Columbia County, Georgia - July 31, 2006
The Concerned Parents of Columbia County and the Community Action Coalition hosted the event; and over two hundred parents, children, teachers, school board members, and other members of local communities attended.
Press Release
Event Flyer
Power point Presentation:
Columbia County, Georgia Guidebook
Pictures
For Press Coverage: Augusta, NBC News Video
- 6:00;
- 11:00
Review by the Concerned Parents of Columbia County
Review by the Community Action Coalition
Georgia Resources
• Gainesville, GA - March 5, 2005
Attendees included MALDEF, LLCRUL, Teachers, Parents, and local community advocates.
• Phoenix, AZ - March 31, 2005
Attendees included Phoenix Community College administrators, Chicanos Por La Causa, NAACP, LCCRUL, Teachers, Parents and local community advocates.
Arizona Power Point Presentation:
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