Representative Malinowski Votes for Legislation to Address School Segregation

Statement

This week, the House of Representatives passed two important pieces of legislation to address inequality in our nation's education system. The bills are the first to address school segregation in roughly three decades. Representative Malinowski is a cosponsor of the Strength in Diversity Act, and voted in favor of both bills.

The Strength in Diversity Act would provide support to local communities in their efforts to desegregate public schools by providing federal funding to districts that are developing, implementing, or expanding school diversity initiatives. The Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act would implement steps to hold federally funded programs, including schools, accountable for their responsibility to provide all students with equal opportunity for a quality education.

"Every child in America deserves equal access to quality education," said Representative Malinowski. "Congress has made a significant step by addressing generations of inequity in schools by passing these two pieces of legislation. We must continue to work together to close the widening achievement gaps in our country and ensure equal opportunity for all."

Additionally, the Strength in Diversity Act, and the Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act would provide for the following:

-An established grant program that provides federal funding to support voluntary local efforts to increase diversity in schools including establishing public school choice zones, revising school boundaries, and creating innovative school programs that can attract students from outside the local area;
-The development and maintenance of best practices for grantees and experts in the field of school diversity;
-Restoration of the private right of action for students and parents to bring disparate impact claims under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act; and
-Creation of Title VI monitors to ensure that every school district and institution of higher education has at least one employee to specifically responsible for investigating any complaints of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.

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