The Hill News

Recently, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that the Department of Education would consider waivers if Congress is unable to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Despite the pressing need for reauthorization, such an action not only usurps congressional authority, but may also prove detrimental to countless low-income and minority students. 

Among the provisions that may be waived is the requirement that school districts spend a small portion of the money they receive from the federal government on free tutoring for low-income students stuck in failing schools. Over 650,000 students nationwide take advantage of these Supplementary Education Services (SES), and according to a study released by the Department in March, a large majority of those students are African American or Hispanic.

Read more...