Re: Fwd: UN & Education as a Human Right

[Lourdes Perez <lperezwritestranslates@gmail.com>]

Mr. Neill, this s a confidential letter.

Thanks for sharing this info on Education as a Human Right. I am very
concerned about how testing companies do not get that minority kids are not
doing well at their tests not because they don't want to study,  not
 because they are not intellligent, not because they are inferior to white
students, but because their socioeconomic characteristics are somewhat like
an illness no test can cure. More so, testing companies assume a very
comfortable position that "all the students need to do or have are rigourous
courses and the states abide by the common standards to do well at their
tests."

Please push so these companies assume a more socially responsible attitude
and at least do something with their million$ to help minority kids DIRECTLy
not with just participating in big events, to get a better education.




On Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 10:33 AM, Monty Neill <monty@fairtest.org> wrote:

>
> The message below appeared in a discussion among folks organizing for a day
> of action on Oct 7 around schooling, focusing on the budget crises. The
> author, Bruce, raises I think some interesting points of relevance to the
> work of many of us and our groups. Monty
>
> From Bruce:
>
> Now that we're beginning to focus more intensely on our Fall actions,
> I'd like to raise again something from a while back. In November of this
> year, for the first time ever, the human rights record of the U.S. is
> scheduled for formal examination by the United Nations under what's
> known as the "Universal Periodic Review" (UPR). The UPR will review how
> well the U.S. lives up to a number of human rights declarations,
> covenants, conventions, and treaties. Education --- including both
> quality and equal access --- is one of the standards that America will
> be measured against.
>
> On both overall education quality and equal access regardless of income
> or race, the U.S. clearly fails to meet standards set by Article 26 of
> the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Convention against
> Discrimination in Education (CADE), and the International Convention on
> the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
>
> I know we have to focus on October 7, but we cannot limit ourselves to
> just that event horizon. To build momentum for an effective movement we
> need to tell those who participate in the October 7 actions what the
> next steps and actions are, what they can do NEXT. So I want to urge
> folk in the NorthEast to consider organizing a November action at the UN
> tied to the UPR hearing and the concept of "Education as a Human Right."
> The actual UPR hearings will be in Geneva, but the UN Headquarters in
> NYC provides a focus point for a multi-state, regional mass march or
> large rally.
>
> Historically, the U.S. power-structure has been EXTREMELY sensitive to
> any criticism or human rights charges at the UN. If you want to see
> Washington really freak out, call them to book on the world stage at the
> UN.
>
> I don't know what the situation is elsewhere in the country, but here in
> California our adversaries are trying to paint college students and
> teachers as just two more selfish "special interests" seeking tax-payer
> funds for their private benefit. Framing a quality education as a human
> right is one way we can counter their propaganda lies. A mass action at
> UN Headquarters in NYC in November can play an important role in doing so.
>
> Bruce
>
> For background information:
>
> United Nations "Universal Periodic Review" (UPR)
> http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRMain.aspx
>
> Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
> http://www.hrweb.org/legal/udhr.html
>
> Convention against Discrimination in Education (CADE)
> http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/p1cde.html
>
> International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
> Discrimination (CERD)
> http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cerd.htm
>
> See also:
>
> http://www.ushrnetwork.org/sites/default/files/Education_Joint_Report_USA.pdf
>
>
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>
>
>
> --
> Monty Neill, Ed.D.; Interim Executive Director, FairTest; 15 Court Sq.,
> Ste. 820; Boston, MA 02108; 857-350-8207 x 101; fax 857-350-8209;
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