[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 150 (Monday, September 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF THE COMBATING IMPLICIT BIAS IN EDUCATION ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 10, 2018

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the Combating Implicit 
Bias in Education Act. My bill would create a $25 million grant program 
for schools to train teachers, principals and other personnel on 
implicit bias, including with respect to actual or perceived race, 
religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), 
disability, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
  The Department of Education's Civil Rights Data Collection for the 
2015-2016 school year found that students of color, males and those 
with disabilities received far more severe and frequent punishment than 
white, female and non-disabled students. Despite the findings of this 
report, the Trump Administration and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy 
DeVos are considering eliminating the Obama Administration's guidance 
seeking to curb exclusionary discipline. Students experiencing implicit 
bias and even outright discrimination face far greater expulsion and 
suspension rates, fueling the school-to-prison pipeline and widening 
the student achievement gap.
  The bill aims to reduce the effect of implicit bias on school 
discipline, academic achievement and academic attainment through 
research-based training for education personnel. Providing teachers and 
school officials with training could help close the achievement gap and 
reduce suspensions and expulsions.
  Under my bill, the Institute of Education Sciences under the 
Department of Education is tasked with evaluating and reporting on the 
effectiveness of the training.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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