Should we give schools grants to decrease academic gaps between racial and socioeconomic groups?

Strength in Diversity Act of 2020 (H.R. 2639)

This bill has Passed the House of Representatives

Bill Summary

This bill establishes the Strength in Diversity Program to give grants to programs that address racial isolation and improve the academic lives of students in racial or economic isolation. Grants will be allowed to be used to hire additional teachers, administrators, or supporting staff, create a transportation plan for students to move to and from covered schools, including public pre-kindergarten, elementary, and middle schools, and develop activities and plans designed to improve the relations between children of different racial and socioeconomic statuses. Success measures include: increasing high school graduation rates, decreasing the number of discipline incidents, decreasing achievement gaps between different groups, and increasing readiness for postsecondary education and for school instruction. A yearly report must be submitted by the grantee about their progress toward inclusivity. Sponsor: Rep Marcia Fudge (Democrat, Ohio, District 11)
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Opponents say

• “Access to opportunities, freedom to climb—these are the aspects of a student’s education that must be equal for all children nationwide. No one-size-fits-all structure can deliver on all of those essentials. Separate was never equal, but equality simply cannot mean uniformity. Equality is affirming that all children are fundamentally the same in dignity, importance, and worth, but also understanding that not all children’s needs are the same. Our Democrat colleagues’ good intentions have resulted in shortsighted legislation. H.R. 2574, the Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act, and H.R. 2639, the Strength in Diversity Act, make more political points than principled building upon past bipartisan, bicameral solutions. If we really want to work toward integration and equality, principles we all agree are critical to our children’s success, then amended legislation focusing on greater fairness for all students is required.” Source: Rep. Virginia Foxx (Republican, North Carolina, District 5)

Proponents say

• “Racial and economic isolation exists throughout the country, and Connecticut is no different. This hurts all students, but especially students of color or in low-income communities. Congress needs to step up and do what we can to make sure school districts have the necessary tools to increase diversity in schools, which we know will help close the achievement gap...We currently have a Department of Education – under the leadership of Secretary DeVos – that is actively undermining students’ civil rights protections. Increasing diversity in staff, resources, and student populations in our public schools should be a top priority. That is why I am pleased to once again be the House sponsor of the Strength in Diversity Act of 2018. The bill will help provide equitable access and resources for schools across the nation, work to address other inequities within our education system, and give every student the chance they deserve.” Source: Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (Democrat, Ohio, Eleventh District)
• “Far too often, for reasons of legacy or policy, students of color or in low-income communities are shut out of the opportunity to get a good education. As years of research have shown us, school integration benefits students and communities. Our bill will help in this effort by providing grants to school districts that want to increase diversity in schools.” Source: Senator Chris Murphy (Democrat, Connecticut)
• “This is an important bill, because it recognizes and addresses the reality that racial segregation in public schools is growing. This has profound consequences for those students whose needs are inadequately addressed and for the nation as a whole, which misses out on the educational benefits of diversity. This bill will enhance crucial efforts to increase diversity in education, which is a local need and should be a national priority.” Source: Elaine Gross (President of ERASE Racism)

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