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U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Education

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About EDOVERVIEW
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FOREWORD

2004 was a special year in America’s longstanding efforts to provide equal educational opportunity for all people. It marked the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in *Brown    v. Board of Education*, which declared racially segregated schools to be unconstitutional. 2004 also marked the 40th Anniversary of the *Civil    Rights Act of 1964*, which prohibits racial and national origin discrimination by recipients of federal financial assistance, including educational institutions, and the 30th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in *Lau    v. Nichols*, which affirmed the educational rights of language minority students. These historic milestones helped bring about extraordinary achievements in efforts to eradicate racial segregation, eliminate educational discrimination, and ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their full educational potential.

| “*The Civil Rights Act of 1964* gives all Americans another reason       to be proud of our country. The work of equality is not done because the       evil of bigotry is not finally defeated. Yet the laws of this nation and       the good heart of this nation are on the side of equality.” 
President         George W. Bush        Remarks Commemorating the 40th Anniversary    of the *Civil Rights Act of 1964*, July 1, 2004 |
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 This report, which covers the activities of the U.S. Department of Education's  Office for Civil Rights (OCR) from Oct. 1, 2003, to Sept. 30, 2004, demonstrates  how OCR's compliance program continues in the tradition of these civil rights  legacies. From investigating the misidentification of minority students in  special education, to ensuring accessibility of college campuses for students  with disabilities, to facilitating access of women to equal academic and athletic  opportunities, OCR has vigorously pursued its statutory civil rights enforcementresponsibilities. 

 These and other reported accomplishments also demonstrate how the fair, effective  and efficient enforcement of the civil rights laws can support the goals of  the *No Child Left Behind Act* by advancing both **excellence** and **equity**.  After long decades, the pernicious achievement gap is beginning to close. Reading  and math test scores are rising across the country, with disadvantaged andminority students leading the way. 

| “And while our schools are no longer segregated by law, they are       still not equal in opportunity and excellence. Justice requires more than       a place in a school. Justice requires that every school teach every child       in America.” 
President George W. Bush        Grand Opening, *Brown v. Board of Education*        National Historic Site, May 17, 2004 |
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 In safeguarding the rights of all students to equal access to high quality  education, we ensure their future and our nation's future. We need to staythe course. Our children deserve no less. 

Respectfully submitted,

James F. ManningDelegated the Authority of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

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