WASHINGTON, DC –Members of the Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Taskforce on Education this week met with top congressional leaders and officials from the U.S. Department of Education as Congress considers reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

The task force is comprised of 12 Latino elected officials from 12 states who work together to ensure that the needs of the nation’s Latino students are addressed in the ESEA law. It is imperative that Latinos be at the table to help develop solutions that ensure opportunities for all students. These solutions will be fundamental in developing bold strategies that promote high
school graduation, college and career readiness and a greater number of Latinos entering and completing college.

“The Latino community urgently calls for educational reforms to better serve every child in America,” said taskforce co-chair Mónica García, president of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. “We met with leaders in Washington to urge actions in support of Latino students and English-language learners. We support increased investment, accountability
at all levels and a commitment to put effective teachers in each classroom.”

The national, bipartisan group of Latino education policymakers together promotes and advocates for policies at the federal level that will help ensure Latino student success. It is a group of experienced Latino policymakers, including school board members, state superintendents, higher education system governing members and state legislators representing a
broad cross section of the Latino education community.

The taskforce is comprised of members of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO).