A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Equity in Education
A requirement of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 is that each applicant for Department funds must describe in its application the steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access to and equitable participation in the proposed project or activity to be conducted with the assistance. Congress enacted the proposal without debate as part of Improving America's Schools Act of 1994. The provision is titled Equity for students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries and is found at Section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA). The Equity Task Force is assisting in implementation by helping develop and provide orientation for staff Department-wide.

Appointment of a Special Assistant for Gender Equity
In May 1995 Deputy Secretary Kunin appointed a Special Assistant for Gender Equity in the Department of Education, a new position created as part of Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 that President Clinton signed into law. Pursuant to the legislation, the Special Assistant promotes, coordinates, and evaluates gender equity programs, including the dissemination of information, technical assistance, and coordination of research activities. The Special Assistant advises the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on all matters relating to gender equity.

Equity Task Force
Equity means equitable access to and participation in all management and program functions regardless of special characteristics including but not limited to gender, race, color, national origin, disability and age.

The US Department of Education Equity Task Force was founded in October, 1993. Deputy Secretary Kunin, was the founder and Chair. The purpose of the Equity Task Force is to advise the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary on all matter related to ensuring that equity is an integral part of all Departmental programs and management practices and decisions.

The Equity Task Force is charged with the responsibility of managing and coordinating policy and departmental management initiatives to promote equity practices throughout the Department. Committee members work on a variety of issues, including drafting legislation, establishing mechanisms for ongoing communications with employees and conducting other outreach activities (hosting conferences, meetings and luncheons with key representatives, and developing publications and related materials).

The Equity Task Force has concentrated on ensuring that equity is an integral part of program administration and increasing the awareness of equity issues in education within the Department and among the public.

All senior officers - The Undersecretary, the General Counsel, the Inspector General and all Assistant Secretaries - are members of the task force. Their designated representatives to the task force perform the day-to-day work.

National Education Initiatives, Post-Beijing
In September 1995, the United Nations held the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, China. The Deputy Secretary represented the United States at this conference as a member of Presidents Clinton's bipartisan US delegation. At that conference, a Platform for Action was developed. This platform is the long-term strategy for empowering women and girls and advancing their status worldwide.

To help fulfill the goals of the platform, the Department of Education pledged to take action on a range of issues to remove barriers facing girls and women of different backgrounds including girls and women with disabilities, those of low income, and those from ethnic and racial minorities.

To ensure all girls and all women equal access to, and full participation in, all aspects of education and training opportunities, the Department is implementing five National Education Initiatives. These priority initiatives are as follows:

1. To convene a national assembly on girls' and women's education and launch a public awareness campaign to change gender discriminatory policies and practices.
2. To convene a leadership forum dedicated to nurturing a new generation of women leaders.
3. To intensify efforts to raise the number of employers who encourage family involvement in learning.
4. To promote girls and women in science, mathematics, and technology.
5. To combat violence against girls and women.

Ten Years of Advancement: Women & Girls in Education.
This publication, distributed at the UN's World Conference on Women in Beijing, outlines initiatives within the Department that focus specifically on the education of women and girls.

Gender Equity in Education: Additional Resources
A selected list of resources and programs that embody some gender equity principles articulated during the U.S. Department of Education's July 16, 1996, Satellite Town Meeting.

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