MESSAGE FROM THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY
In fiscal year 1998, the Office for Civil Rights continued its civilrights enforcement program in a collaborative style. Our even-handedapproach is people-intensive. For example, we build relationships withschool districts, colleges and community groups to resolve casesamicably, and to ensure that remedies are fully implemented. Theseefforts require a highly trained staff who are both dedicated andmotivated.At the beginning of the civil rights movement of the 1960s andduring the early days of this agency, we focused on school districts andcolleges that were operating flagrantly discriminatory educationsystems. Contemporary equity issues are more complex and subtle. Inaddition to these complicated issues, we also must harmonizeenforcement with high standards in education. We must guaranteeequal access not only to basic, high-quality education but to programsfor gifted and talented students. We seek both parity and excellence: for without both, there can be no true equity.Our job is far from over. For example, too few black men areentering and graduating from college. The needs of many English-learning students are not being met. Women athletes are not receivingan equitable share of scholarships. The high-school drop-out rate forLatino students is higher than it ever has been. Disabled students aretoo often denied the most basic services they need to learn. In short,our workload is as heavy as ever.In fiscal year 1998, our work positively changed the lives of agreater number of students than we ever have done before. Ourcontinued goal is to serve more children and adult learners through ourpartnerships with educators, and parent and community groups.We ask you to join us in the commitment to guarantee equalaccess to high-standards education.Respectfully submitted,Norma V. Cantú
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