109th Congress
2nd Session
Senator Uth (D-AR)
A Bill
Providing low-income minority students quality education and an equal
opportunity in every school in America.
Be it enacted by the Senate of the United States of America in a simulation
assembled,
Short Title
This Act may be cited as the “Equality in Quality of Education Act”.
Section 1: Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to provide a program intended to decrease the
education gap that exists among low-income minority students and middle to
upper income Anglo students.
Section 2: Definitions
In this part:
1. Minority Students- The term minority students mean those students
in K-12 and higher education that are of Latino or African
American decent.
2. Low-Income: The term low-income is considered an income of a
family of four that is twice that of the national poverty level
roughly $37,000.
3. Low-Income District: Citing the definition from No Child Left
Behind, schools where at least 40 percent of the children in the
school attendance area are from low-income families or at least 40
percent of the student enrollment are from low-income families
will constitute low-income districts.
Section 3: Findings
a) Congress makes the following findings:
a. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there
exists a substantial difference in scores among whites, African
Americans and Hispanics in all three areas tested: reading, math
b.
c.
d.
e.
and science. White students consistently score a substantial
amount higher.
Low-Income school districts are receiving almost $1,000 less
per student than higher income school districts.
On average, 10 percent more whites are enrolled in college as
compared to minority students.
According to NGA Clearinghouse, students from high-income
families who complete high school are considerably more likely
to go to college immediately after high school (77%) than their
peers from low-income families (46%).
13% of students K – 12 speak a language other than English.
Section 4: Goals
1. Lower the education and learning gap among low-income,
minority students.
2. Provide school districts in low-income or heavy minority areas
with 50% more allocated funds than those districts in that state
considered high-income majority white districts.
3. Begin a professional development program for teachers that will
increase learning in special areas and consider needs to lowincome, minority students.
a. If a teacher chooses to participate in this program and teach
in low-income, minority district then the loans incurred
during college and higher education will be forgiven.
4. Require bilingual education programs in every district with a
substantial minority population.
Section 5: Effective Date
This Act, and amendments made to this act, shall become effective as of
October 11, 2005.
News From Senator Lindsay Uth
Arkansas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2005
Contact: Office of Senator Uth
918-289-1184
Equality in Quality Education Act: Providing Equal Opportunities and
a Better Educational Experience
Washington D.C. - - Senator Lindsay Uth will introduce her legislation Equality in
Quality of Education Act this Tuesday, October 11, 2005. The legislation finally provides
an opportunity for low-income minority students to receive a quality education and an
equal learning environment in every school district in the United States.
Senator Uth has been an advocate for education during her last two terms in office. She
worked closely with President Bush and the Department of Education in developing No
Child Left Behind. However, Senator Uth felt that the act was missing something, an
opportunity for low-income minority students to become an integral part of the legislation
and have opportunities provided for them within the legislation.
This bill provides such opportunities. Its primary focus is to provide bilingual education
programs, increase funds to low-income districts, and provide professional development
programs for teachers.
“It is time for the United States education system to stop ignoring the fact that we have a
learning gap,” states Senator Uth. “This legislation provides an opportunity for schools
to begin education on equal grounds and gives minority students a chance for success.
This legislation is our message, we are showing we care about all students and want to
give all students an equal chance to succeed.”
SENATOR LINDSAY UTH
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT
Room 415
Harvill
1103 E 2 ST
Tucson, Arizona 85719
(918)289-1184
February 16, 2016
Dear Colleagues,
I would like to take this opportunity to discuss an opportunity we
all have as United States Senators. We have a chance to make a real
difference in the United States educational system. The recent
legislation, The No Child Left Behind, forgot about an important group
of students, minorities and low-income. Minority students and lowincome students continue to be forced to the back and forgotten
about in almost every important piece of education legislation passed.
The statistics do not lie. According to the National Center for
Education Statistics, there still exists a substantial difference in scores
among white, African American, and Hispanic students. White students
continue to score higher than African Americans and Hispanics in the
areas of math, science, and reading. In addition, there is a substantial
lack of funding for low-income school districts. Some districts are
receiving almost $1,000 less per student than higher income areas. A
direct correlation to lack of funding and low-test scores is college
attendance. According to the NGA Clearinghouse, students from highincome families are 77% more likely to attend high school than their
lower income and less privileged peers.
The legislation I plan to introduce is called the Equality in Quality of
Education Act. This legislation will begin a program that is intended to
directly decrease the education gap that exists in this country. The
legislation provides for bilingual programs, professional teacher development,
and proper, equal funding for all schools in every district.
It is time that we stop ignoring our low-income students. It is
time that we stop ignoring the education gap that exist among races in
this country. It is time that we come together and stop debating over
education, our students deserve bipartisan support. This bill provides the
opportunities your state and your students deserve. I am asking for your
support and your vote to make Equality in Quality of Education Act a
must and well deserved chance for the children of America.
Thank you.
Senator Uth