Input from Communities of Color Critical to ESEA Waiver Process

***Interview Alert***

Today, the Obama Administration issued guidance for states on the process of requesting waivers from several specific provisions of ESEA. Before requesting waivers for meeting federal accountability standards, however, states must fully engage communities of color and Native communities to ensure that they are adequately meeting the needs of those students most at-risk of being denied their high school diploma.

WHO: CHSE's Executive Director, Michael Wotorson, will be available for interviews along with CHSE partner organizations, including the National Urban League, National Council of La Raza, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

WHAT: Now that waivers for ESEA are moving forward communities of color and Native communities must be fully engaged in the accountability process at the state level to ensure their needs are served so they can graduate from high school on time, prepared for college and career.

WHY: Students of color and those coming from under-served communities are shown to be most at-risk of being denied their high school diploma. With a national graduation rate of 72 percent and just over half of African American, Latino, Southeast Asian, and Native American students graduating on-time, the Department of Education must work to strengthen the nation's high schools.

WHEN: Interviews are available upon request. To request an interview, please contact Gary Ritterstein at [phone] or [e-mail]. In addition to Michael Wotorson, CHSE will be able to assist with interview requests for coalition partner organizations.

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, The Leadership Conference 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.

CONTACT: Gary Ritterstein
[phone]
[e-mail]

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Sept. 23, 2011/

SOURCE Campaign for High School Equity