Statement from Chancellor Betty A. Rosa and Commissioner MaryEllen Elia on Trump Administration’s Repeal of Obama-Era Guidance for Schools

“The Board of Regents and State Education Department abhor the Trump administration’s assault on policies that support positive environments for all children. We live in a multi-cultural country and multi-cultural classrooms provide valuable experiences for all students. 

“Study after study has shown that diversity in the classroom and on campus benefits students of all races and ethnicities. The Board of Regents and the State Education Department’s number one priority is to bring equity in education for all children regardless of the color of their skin, zip code or economic status. Through implementation of our Every Student Succeeds Act plan and our My Brother’s Keeper program, we are working hard to realize equity for all children. But we cannot do it alone. States, local school districts and colleges need support and guidance from the federal government to follow policies to achieve true equity across the nation.

“In New York state, we must not let the federal government’s reprehensible action deter us in our work to integrate our classrooms.

“It is time for our representatives in Washington to stop the president’s hurtful policies that intend to harm all students, particularly our underrepresented and economically disadvantaged populations. We ask our partners in education to join with us in condemning the administration’s latest heartless attack on our nation’s civil rights.”