SCHOOL INTEGRATION LAWSUIT
After stumbling upon the NJ school statistics and trends provided by Rutger's The Inclusion Project, on May 17, 2018 (the 64th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education), a coalition of civil rights groups and students filed a lawsuit to force the State of New Jersey to take steps to end segregation.
The lawsuit is known as Latino Action Network, et al. v. State of New Jersey. Latino Action Network calls on the court to take a series of initial steps to address segregation and claims that segregation by race and poverty in the state’s public schools and charter schools violates New Jersey’s constitution.
With the support of the Fund for NJ, the Latino Action Network Foundation along with the Salvation and Social Justice (SandSJ) partner together on program planning, outreach, and organizing of program activities to collectively address the integration needs of the African American and Latino communities through co-joint grassroots organizing efforts. The partnership will expand the network of outreach and ensure that outreach efforts are tailored to each community’s cultural and language needs.
Our Educational Policy Goals include:
1. To work to ensure that Latino children are provided equal educational opportunity in New Jersey as required under the NJ and US Constitutions. LANF works to guarantee Latino children have equal access to all programs, services, or resources, available to any other child.
2. To support greater parental involvement and empowerment by parents in the education system. Informed parents guiding and shaping educational policy is a foundation for creating good students and citizens. LANF will focus on opportunities for parents to learn how to support their children in school, participate in the educational process. Programs will be developed to tech parents how various boards of education are structured, to understand the impacts the BoE have on their children’s quality of education, and how to properly petition the BoE for better policies.
LATINX EXPERIENCE IN SCHOOLS
The Latino Action Network's report on the Latinx experience in New Jersey schools highlights significant disparities in educational access and outcomes for Latinx students. Despite being one of the state's fastest-growing demographic groups, Latinx students face challenges such as higher dropout rates and underrepresentation in advanced courses.
The report underscores the need for systemic change in policy and educational practices to better support this community. It provides a comprehensive overview of current trends and calls for focused action to ensure equitable opportunities for Latinx students.
LANF Voices
Dive into powerful statements from our staff, illuminating the educational landscape in New Jersey.
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