Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education, will participate in a panel discussion Thursday in Detroit, entitled, “Education as a Civil and Human Right: Public Policy and Michigan Schools.” Educators, legislators and community leaders have been invited to the event sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. Appearing with Ali will be Sharif M. Shakrani, co-director of the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University. Amber Arellano of The Detroit News will be the moderator.