White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans

Published date22 October 2021
Citation86 FR 58551
Record Number2021-23224
SectionPresidential Documents
CourtExecutive Office Of The President
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 202 (Friday, October 22, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 202 (Friday, October 22, 2021)]
                [Presidential Documents]
                [Pages 58551-58557]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2021-23224] Presidential Documents
                Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 202 / Friday, October 22, 2021 /
                Presidential Documents
                ___________________________________________________________________
                Title 3--
                The President
                [[Page 58551]]
                 Executive Order 14050 of October 19, 2021
                
                White House Initiative on Advancing Educational
                 Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black
                 Americans
                 By the authority vested in me as President by the
                 Constitution and the laws of the United States of
                 America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
                 Section 1. Policy. Educational opportunity is a
                 fundamental element of the American promise. The United
                 States Supreme Court recognized in 1954 in Brown v.
                 Board of Education that education ``is a right which
                 must be made available to all on equal terms.'' In the
                 decades since, our Nation has made progress in
                 advancing equality and fairness in our schools, and the
                 achievements, talents, and tenacity of Black students,
                 educators, families, and scholars make our Nation's
                 schools and communities stronger for all Americans.
                 Black students are thriving in schools across the
                 country, inside the classroom--as valedictorians and
                 award-winning scientists--and outside of it, including
                 in debate, athletics, student government, and national
                 spelling bees, among many other areas.
                 Over the course of America's history, Black Americans
                 have helped to build, strengthen, and lead our Nation
                 towards becoming a more perfect Union. Although for far
                 too long, Black Americans were denied even the most
                 basic access to education, the vital contributions of
                 Black Americans in the fields of science, academia,
                 business, and public service, among others, are a
                 testament to the resilience of Black Americans and the
                 steps our Nation has taken to expand access to
                 education and opportunity.
                 In spite of this progress, entrenched disparities
                 continue to plague America's education system, holding
                 far too many Black students back from achieving their
                 full potential. Because of persistent racial and
                 systemic injustices in our Nation, Black students
                 remain more likely to attend high-poverty and racially
                 segregated schools than White students. Black students
                 are inequitably disciplined and suspended from school
                 at disproportionately higher rates than White students
                 for similar offenses. In addition, Black students too
                 often face limited access to advanced and college-
                 preparatory courses. Systemic racial disparities in
                 education negatively impact learning outcomes for Black
                 students and many face persistent gaps in reading and
                 mathematics achievement. Studies show that school
                 districts with high concentrations of Black students
                 are much more likely to be underfunded than districts
                 where a majority of students are White, and face much
                 wider funding gaps, with an average deficit of more
                 than $5,000 per student. Black students are still below
                 the national average for educational attainment in high
                 school, and that gap is even higher for college
                 attainment rates, as 26 percent of Black Americans ages
                 25 and older have attained a bachelor's degree, while
                 the national average is 36 percent. Black students also
                 face unique challenges at the intersection of race and
                 gender. Barriers to equity in education can compound
                 for Black students who are also LGBTQ+ students,
                 English-language learners, Dreamers, or students with
                 disabilities.
                 These disparities result in long-standing college and
                 postsecondary educational attainment gaps that affect
                 life outcomes and access to opportunities. Although
                 student populations are becoming increasingly diverse,
                 Black teachers remain significantly underrepresented in
                 our Nation's classrooms. Educational inequities have
                 only widened throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as Black
                 students are more likely to experience remote learning
                 challenges and greater learning loss as compared to
                 their White peers. The persistent
                [[Page 58552]]
                 digital divide faced by some Black students has
                 contributed to this disparity. It is a priority of my
                 Administration to ensure an equitable recovery from
                 COVID-19, and to provide all students with a successful
                 return to the classroom.
                 In the face of these historic and present-day
                 inequities in our Nation's schools, Black students
                 continue to persevere. Black students and scholars
                 today are breaking the barriers confronted by
                 generations who came before. Our Nation's schools and
                 communities are irrefutably strengthened by the
                 success, scholarship, and tenacity of Black students of
                 all ages. But our Nation must go further to finally
                 root out systemic barriers in our schools.
                 Additionally, these barriers are present not just in
                 the classroom, but also in the workplace. Black
                 Americans face systemic obstacles to getting good jobs,
                 gaps in wages and promotion, and higher incidences of
                 reported workplace discrimination than White workers.
                 Eliminating these inequities requires expanding access
                 to work-based learning and leadership opportunities,
                 including mentorships, sponsorships, internships, and
                 registered apprenticeships that provide not only career
                 guidance, but also the experience needed to navigate
                 and excel in successful careers. In order for our
                 Nation to equitably recover from the COVID-19 crisis,
                 and to ensure that every Black person in America has a
                 fair shot at the American dream, we must advance equity
                 and excellence in public education and access to
                 economic opportunities.
                 It is the policy of my Administration to advance
                 educational equity, excellence, and economic
                 opportunity for Black Americans and communities from
                 early childhood until their chosen career.
                 Sec. 2. White House Initiative on Advancing Educational
                 Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black
                 Americans. (a) To advance equity in our Nation's
                 schools and to promote the economic opportunity that
                 follows it, there is established in the Department of
                 Education (Department) the White House Initiative on
                 Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic
                 Opportunity for Black Americans (Initiative), of which
                 the Secretary of Education (Secretary) shall serve as
                 Chair. The Secretary shall designate an Executive
                 Director for the Initiative (Executive Director).
                 (b) The Initiative shall advance educational equity
                 and economic opportunity for Black students, families,
                 and communities by focusing on the following policy
                 goals:
                (i) increasing general understanding of systemic causes of educational
                challenges faced by many Black students, whether these students are in
                urban, suburban, rural, or migrant learning environments, and working
                across executive departments and agencies (agencies) to address these
                challenges;
                (ii) increasing Black children's and families' access to and participation
                in high-quality early childhood programs and services that promote
                children's healthy development and learning, prepare them for success in
                school, and affirm their cultural identity;
                (iii) addressing the inequitable treatment of Black children, such as
                eradicating discriminatory referrals to special education and excessive
                disciplinary actions;
                (iv) supporting and improving data collection related to Black students and
                the implementation of evidence-based strategies to increase the
                participation and success of Black students in all levels of education and
                prepare them for careers and civic engagement;
                (v) ensuring that all Black students have access to excellent teachers,
                school leaders, and other professionals, including by supporting efforts to
                improve the recruitment, preparation, development, and retention of
                qualified, diverse teachers and school leaders and other professionals who
                understand students' lived experiences and can effectively meet their
                learning, social, and emotional needs;
                [[Page 58553]]
                (vi) enhancing student support services and fostering positive engagement
                among schools, families, community leaders, and community-based
                organizations to increase the high school graduation and post-secondary
                attendance rates and decrease the high school dropout rate for Black
                students;
                (vii) promoting a positive school climate that supports equitable access to
                and participation in college-readiness, advanced placement courses, and
                internship opportunities, as well as innovative dropout prevention and
                recovery strategies that better engage Black youth in their learning, help
                them progress academically as needed, and provide those who have left the
                educational system with pathways to reentry;
                (viii) eliminating discriminatory enrollment, housing, transportation, and
                other policies that lead to racial and socioeconomic segregation among and
                within schools;
                (ix) ensuring equitable access to educational resources, professionals, and
                technology, including by addressing racial disparities in school funding
                and expenditures;
                (x) breaking down barriers that impede the access of higher education
                institutions that serve Black students, such as Predominantly Black
                Institutions (PBIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities
                (HBCUs), to Federal funding, and strengthening the capacity of those
                institutions to participate in Federal programs and partnerships;
                (xi) advancing racial equity and economic opportunity by connecting
                education to labor market needs through programs such as dual enrollment,
                career and technical education, registered apprenticeships, work-based
                learning, and career advancement, particularly in the fields of science,
                technology, engineering, and mathematics; and
                (xii) ensuring that Black communities have access to resources for economic
                success, such as in the areas of financial education, small business
                development, entrepreneurship, arts, science, technology, engineering, and
                mathematics.
                 (c) In working to fulfill its mission and
                 objectives, the Initiative shall, consistent with
                 applicable law:
                (i) identify and promote evidence-based best practices that can provide
                Black students with a rigorous and well-rounded education in safe and
                healthy environments, as well as access to support services, that will
                improve their educational, professional, economic, and civic opportunities;
                (ii) advance and coordinate efforts to ensure equitable opportunities for
                Black students in the re-opening process for schools across the country,
                and take steps to ensure that Black students, from early childhood to post-
                secondary education, can equitably recover from learning losses and other
                challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic;
                (iii) encourage and develop partnerships with a national network of early
                childhood and early intervention providers, schools, institutions of higher
                education, and other public, private, philanthropic, and nonprofit
                stakeholders to improve access to educational equity and economic
                opportunities for Black Americans;
                (iv) monitor and support the development, implementation, and coordination
                of Federal Government educational, workforce, research, and business
                development policies, programs, and technical assistance designed to
                improve outcomes for historically underserved communities, including Black
                Americans;
                (v) work closely with the Executive Office of the President on key
                Administration priorities related to education, equity, and economic
                opportunity for Black Americans; and
                (vi) advise the Secretary on issues of importance to Black Americans and
                policies relating to educational equity, excellence, and economic
                opportunity for Black Americans.
                [[Page 58554]]
                 (d) There is established a Federal Interagency
                 Working Group, which shall be convened by the Executive
                 Director and shall support the efforts of the
                 Initiative. The Interagency Working Group shall
                 collaborate regarding resources and opportunities
                 available across the Federal Government to increase
                 educational and economic opportunities for Black
                 Americans.
                (i) The Interagency Working Group shall consist of senior officials
                (designated by the heads of their respective departments, agencies, and
                offices) from the following:
                 (A) the Department of State;
                 (B) the Department of the Treasury;
                 (C) the Department of Defense;
                 (D) the Department of Justice;
                 (E) the Department of the Interior;
                 (F) the Department of Agriculture;
                 (G) the Department of Commerce;
                 (H) the Department of Labor;
                 (I) the Department of Health and Human Services;
                 (J) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;
                 (K) the Department of Transportation;
                 (L) the Department of Energy;
                 (M) the Department of Education;
                 (N) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
                 (O) the Department of Homeland Security;
                 (P) the White House Office of Management and Budget;
                 (Q) the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy;
                 (R) the Small Business Administration;
                 (S) the White House Domestic Policy Council;
                 (T) the White House Gender Policy Council;
                 (U) the White House Office of Public Engagement;
                 (V) the National Science Foundation;
                 (W) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
                 (X) the United States Agency for International Development; and
                 (Y) such additional executive departments, agencies, and offices as the
                Secretary may designate.
                (ii) The Executive Director may establish subgroups of the Interagency
                Working Group to focus on different aspects of the educational system (such
                as PBIs and HBCUs, early childhood education, kindergarten through 12th
                grade education, children and adults with disabilities, teacher diversity,
                higher education, career and technical education, adult education, or
                correctional education and reengagement), economic opportunity (work-based
                learning, entrepreneurship, financial education, or mentorship), or
                educational challenges facing particular populations.
                 (e) Each agency designated to participate in the
                 Interagency Working Group shall prepare a plan (Agency
                 Plan) outlining measurable actions the agency will take
                 to advance educational equity and economic opportunity
                 for Black communities, including their plans to
                 implement the policy goals and directives outlined in
                 section 2(b) of this order and other relevant work.
                 These plans shall be submitted to the Chair of the
                 Initiative on a date established by the Chair.
                (i) As appropriate, each Agency Plan shall include:
                [[Page 58555]]
                 (A) a description of the applicable agency's efforts to ensure that
                Federal programs and initiatives administered by the Department and other
                agencies are meeting the educational needs of Black Americans, including
                efforts to incorporate best practices into appropriate discretionary
                programs where the agency sees fit and as permitted by law;
                 (B) a description of how the applicable agency has and will decrease
                barriers to participation of Black Americans in Federal employment and
                student engagement opportunities;
                 (C) a description of how the applicable agency can address challenges
                facing Black students and higher education institutions that serve Black
                students, such as PBIs and HBCUs, brought on by or exacerbated by the
                COVID-19 pandemic;
                 (D) a description of how the agency's Office of Civil Rights, if
                applicable, can address discriminatory policies and practices that limit
                educational and economic opportunity for Black Americans;
                 (E) any other information the applicable agency determines is relevant to
                promoting educational opportunities for Black Americans; and
                 (F) information addressing any additional criteria established by the
                Chair or the Initiative.
                (ii) Each agency shall assess and report to the Chair on their progress in
                implementing the Agency Plan on a regular basis as established by the
                Chair.
                (iii) The Initiative shall monitor and evaluate each agency's progress
                towards the goals established in its Agency Plan and shall coordinate with
                the agency to ensure that its Plan includes measurable and action-oriented
                goals.
                 (f) The Department shall provide funding and
                 administrative support for the Initiative and the
                 Interagency Working Group, to the extent permitted by
                 law and within existing appropriations. To the extent
                 permitted by law, including the Economy Act (31 U.S.C.
                 1535), other agencies and offices represented on the
                 Interagency Working Group may detail personnel to the
                 Initiative, to assist the Department in meeting the
                 objectives of this order.
                 (g) To advance shared priorities and policies that
                 advance equity and economic opportunity for underserved
                 communities, the Initiative shall collaborate and
                 coordinate with other White House Initiatives related
                 to equity and opportunity.
                 (h) On an annual basis, the Chair shall report to
                 the President on the Initiative's progress in carrying
                 out its mission and function under this order.
                 Sec. 3. Presidential Advisory Commission. (a) There is
                 established in the Department a Presidential Advisory
                 Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence,
                 and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans
                 (Commission).
                 (b) The Commission shall provide advice to the
                 President through the Secretary on matters pertaining
                 to educational equity and economic opportunity for the
                 Black community, including:
                (i) what is needed for the development, implementation, and coordination of
                educational programs and initiatives at the Department and other agencies
                to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for Black Americans;
                (ii) how to promote career pathways for in-demand jobs for Black students,
                including registered apprenticeships, internships, fellowships,
                mentorships, and work-based learning initiatives;
                (iii) how to increase public awareness of and generate solutions for the
                educational and training challenges and equity disparities that Black
                Americans face and the causes of these challenges; and
                [[Page 58556]]
                (iv) approaches to establish local and national partnerships with public,
                private, philanthropic, and nonprofit stakeholders to advance the mission
                and objectives of this order, consistent with applicable law.
                 (c) The Commission shall periodically report to the
                 President, through the Secretary and after consulting
                 with the Executive Director, on progress in addressing
                 the mission of the Commission.
                 (d) The Commission shall consist of not more than
                 21 members appointed by the President. The Commission
                 may include individuals with relevant experience or
                 subject matter expertise, as well as individuals who
                 may serve as representatives from a variety of sectors,
                 including education (early childhood education,
                 elementary and secondary education, higher education,
                 career and technical education, and adult education),
                 labor organizations, research institutions, public and
                 private philanthropic organizations, private sector,
                 nonprofit, and community-based organizations at the
                 national, State, Tribal, regional, or local levels.
                 Commission members should be able to provide specific
                 insight into the lived experiences of those served by
                 the Initiative, including young adults, and have
                 diversity across the Black diaspora and the geography
                 of the country.
                (i) The President shall designate one member of the Commission to serve as
                its Chair. The Chair, in consultation with the Executive Director, shall
                convene regular meetings of the Commission, determine the Commission
                meeting agenda, and support the work of the Commission, consistent with
                this order.
                (ii) The Commission shall meet on a regular basis, and at least twice a
                year.
                 (e) The Department shall provide funding and
                 administrative support for the Commission, to the
                 extent permitted by law and within existing
                 appropriations. Members of the Commission shall serve
                 without compensation but shall be allowed travel
                 expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as
                 authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in
                 the Government service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707). Insofar as
                 the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5
                 U.S.C. App.), may apply to the administration of the
                 Commission, any functions of the President under that
                 Act, except that of reporting to the Congress, shall be
                 performed by the Secretary, in accordance with
                 guidelines issued by the Administrator of General
                 Services.
                 (f) The Commission shall terminate 2 years from the
                 date of this order, unless extended by the President.
                 Sec. 4. Administrative Provisions. (a) This order
                 supersedes Executive Order 13621 of July 26, 2012
                 (White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for
                 African Americans), which is hereby revoked. To the
                 extent that there are other Executive Orders that may
                 conflict with or overlap with the provisions in this
                 order, the provisions in this order supersede those
                 other Executive Orders on these subjects.
                 (b) The heads of agencies shall assist and provide
                 information to the Initiative and the Commission
                 established in this order, consistent with applicable
                 law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of
                 the Initiative and the Commission.
                 (c) Each agency shall bear its own expenses of
                 participating in the Initiative established in this
                 order.
                 Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order
                 shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
                (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or
                the head thereof; or
                (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
                relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
                 (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with
                 applicable law and subject to the availability of
                 appropriations.
                [[Page 58557]]
                 (c) This order is not intended to, and does not,
                 create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
                 enforceable at law or in equity by any party against
                 the United States, its departments, agencies, or
                 entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any
                 other person.
                
                
                 (Presidential Sig.)
                 THE WHITE HOUSE,
                 October 19, 2021.
                [FR Doc. 2021-23224
                Filed 10-21-21; 8:45 am]
                Billing code 3395-F2-P
                

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