Success: Rights of All American Students Affirmed

Target: Miguel Cardona, Secretary for U.S. Department o f Education

Goal: Support educational reforms that target fraud, discrimination, and sexual violence.

People seeking to better their lives should not be preyed upon, but too often individuals pursuing higher education aspirations fall victim to predators of both a physical and a financial nature. This ForceChange petition,  this petition,and this petition called attention to the plight of students facing such abuses and urged reform. Government leaders are now granting vital protections to the victims rather than the victimizers.

The previous administration created controversy by implementing a large number of rule changes that undermined victims of alleged fraud, discrimination, or sexual harassment and violence on campus. Some of the changes made it more difficult to seek compensation from for-profit colleges accused of scamming students, while others created roadblocks for reported victims of harassment or assault. Proposed Title IX changes would make it easier to discriminate in the education sector based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

With new leadership comes a new and better approach.  President Biden signed an executive order. This order states that “all students should be guaranteed an educational environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, including discrimination in the form of sexual harassment, which encompasses sexual violence, and including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.” The order also commissioned a comprehensive review of all education department policies “inconsistent” with this assertion. The civil rights division of the education department has since begun this important process. Significant strides are also being made in helping defrauded students regain their swindled finances.

Sign the petition below to encourage and welcome essential progress in ensuring educational equity.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Secretary Cardona,

So many students lost their faith and trust in the education system over the past few years. Victims of fraud, harassment, discrimination, and so much more predatory behavior in particular felt they lost their voices. The recent executive order issued by President Biden and the subsequent comprehensive policy review implemented by you is a crucial first step in restoring integrity to America’s learning experience.

Thank you for listening, and please continue making sure the policies of this department reflect the values that have innovated and sustained American education for centuries.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Germanna CC