K-12 education inequities to be discussed at law school forum |
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24 April 2006 ATTENTION: Education, legal affairs and higher education reporters |
Contact:
Abby Cohn, School of Law (Boalt Hall)
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WHAT
"Rethinking Rodriguez: Education as a Fundamental Right," a two-day symposium in which more than 80 experts from across the country will gather to discuss such topics as school funding inequities, the role of grassroots advocacy, and educational opportunity in U.S. public schools. The event is sponsored by the Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Race, Ethnicity and Diversity at UC Berkeley's School of Law (Boalt Hall).
WHEN
Thursday, April 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, April 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE
International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. near Bancroft Way and the UC Berkeley campus
WHO
Participants will include scholars of education, law and public administration; representatives from national public policy organizations; and representatives from educational advocacy groups.
DETAILS
The central focus of the conference is the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision in San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez, in which the court declared that education is not a fundamental right under the U.S. Constitution and that students from poorer school districts have no constitutional right to attend schools funded at the same level as neighboring wealthier school districts.
Panelists will examine what it means to establish education as an enforceable right under state and federal constitutions. A central topic of discussion will be the duty of courts, legislatures and policy makers to ensure equitable and adequate educational opportunity for all children. For more details on the event go to: http://rethinkingrodriguez.blogspot.com/