Department of Education Launches New Equity Commission

Brainchild of Congressmen Fattah and Honda to Examine Equity in Education Resources

WASHINGTON, July 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a speech to the Urban League today, Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the formation of the Equity and Excellence Commission. The Commission is the brainchild of Congressmen Chaka Fattah (D-PA) and Mike Honda (D-CA) who through their work on the House Appropriations Committee secured funding for the Department's Office of Civil Rights to establish the Commission.

"Today we are celebrating a significant milestone in the historic effort to close the achievement gap that has plagued our nation's schools. The Equity and Excellence Commission I worked with Congressman Honda to initiate and that has been established by Secretary Arne Duncan will begin to close the gap in resource distribution between rich and poor schools," said Congressman Fattah, of Philadelphia. "This new Commission means that every child can look forward to the day when he or she will have an opportunity to realize their full potential and compete in the global economy. Secretary Duncan is to be commended for his leadership in ensuring that all children have a meaningful prospect to learn."

"America's system of funding public education is inherently unequal," Secretary Duncan told the Urban League today "This bipartisan commission (will) expose the inequities in funding, gather public input and issue policy recommendations on finance reform."   

Congressman Honda, who represents Silicon Valley in Northern California, said, "It is time to recognize that parity and equity in education are not the same. Reexamining education finance is the best means we have to ensure equity for each child.  The Equity and Excellence Commission is built to do more than talk. It is built to act. Congressman Fattah and I intend to work hand-in-hand with the Department throughout the life of the Commission, and to use its recommendations as the basis for legislation that will bring true equity to all our children. Only an education system that ensures equity for each child will prove capable of training an American workforce that can compete in the 21st century global economy.  I applaud Secretary Duncan and Assistant Secretary Russlynn Ali for moving so swiftly to begin this work."

Members of the Commission will be selected from a bi-partisan group of the foremost experts on education finance.  The Commission will hold meetings throughout the country, ensuring that all stakeholders are provided an opportunity to contribute to the discussion in a meaningful and productive way.  

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah