_edited.png)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: December 18, 2018
CONTACT: Amy Dowell | amy@dfer.org
DFER CT Responds to Roll-Back of Federal Civil Rights Protections
Connecticut – Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has made the decision to rescind Obama era guidelines aimed at reducing discriminatory school discipline policies, as part of the Trump administration’s School Safety Commission. Today, Amy Dowell, CT State Director of Democrats for Education Reform, made the following statement in response:
“We are deeply disappointed that the Trump administration is opting to roll back critical student protections. Here in Connecticut, we saw a similar effort in the legislature earlier this year, with a bill that that was overreaching and would have impacted our most vulnerable students disproportionately. Thankfully, the bill was ultimately vetoed by Governor Malloy, and DFER CT strongly advocated to prevent that veto from being overturned in the General Assembly.
“We must continue to pursue policies that both keep classrooms safe and maintain conditions of fairness for all students, particularly for students of color and students with disabilities.”
DFER’s National President, Shavar Jeffries, also released a statement in opposition to the decision of the federal School Safety Commission.
###
About DFER CT:
DFER CT is an organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates who are champions of public education. As education progressives, we’re building a pipeline of Democratic leaders who will improve our education system so that it better serves students and families. Together, we advance policies and practices based on democratic values–with a goal of increasing equity, protecting civil rights and the social safety net, and promoting great educational opportunities for all–as part of realizing the American Dream. DFER CT is the state chapter of a national political organization.