|
The majority of poor persons are children. Despite this fact, no legal aid program in Michigan other then LSEM has a specialty in education. Those programs in the nation that do education work deal most often with disciplinary issues or special education issues. This leaves the majority of children without the assistance needed within the area. At LSEM, advocates work with parents groups to improve and provide education in the public schools that serve the poor. This work involves enforcing the Perkins Act, Title One, and other employment and training laws and programs. Adult education is included within this realm. It is only through improving the education opportunities of poor children that we can provide a road out of poverty.
Title One cases are important in ensuring that poor children have the same access to education as other children. The Perkins Act provides for vocational education, and LSEM's responsibility becomes to ensure that it affords all children the same opportunities. Equal access to vocational education also becomes important when seen in the light of the Workfare portion of the new welfare legislation.
|
|
