I've made my way through Secretary Duncan's civil rights speech, and there's much in it to admire (final version now available here).
It's certainly moving; in vivid language it pays tribute to those who suffered on "Bloody Sunday," including Congressman John Lewis.
It's well constructed, weaving together Brown v. Board, the events of 45 years ago, Dr. King's work, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and efforts to close the achievement gap.
It's also literate, with allusions to W.E.B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, and Presidents Johnson and Bush (I)
Finally, it brings the data, offering statistics on expulsions, teacher quality, and college attendance.
In terms of new or renewed federal activities, it only provides broad strokes. The Department will conduct compliance reviews relating to college-prep curriculum, advanced courses, STEM classes, and student discipline. ??The Department will also expand its??technical assistance and outreach so schools know their responsibilities and families know their rights.
The speech didn't address any of the questions I raised earlier today (related to charters, compliance v. innovation, or racial composition v. student achievement). And there is no sense of how this new effort will work hand-and-hand, if at all, with a reauthorized ESEA.
Overall, it was fitting kick-off speech for a broad civil rights initiative. But it was not a definitive departmental??statement on how its view on civil rights will inform or influence a wide array of pressing current policy decisions.
--Andy Smarick