Wood on Next Steps in Federal Lawsuit for Constitutional Right to Adequate Education

Wood on Next Steps in Federal Lawsuit for Constitutional Right to Adequate Education

RI Center for Justice Executive Director Jennifer Wood joined GoLocal News Editor on GoLocal LIVE where she spoke to the next steps after filing a federal class-action lawsuit this week on behalf of all Rhode Island public school students to establish the right, under the U.S. Constitution, to an adequate education to prepare young people for full civic education. 

“Our United States Supreme Court has recognized that the denial of adequate education denies children the ability to live within the structure of our civic institutions and even denies them the possibility to contribute to ‘the progress of our nation.’ However for a variety of reasons the Court has stopped short of finding that all children have a fundamental right to that education that enables them to participate and succeed in all aspects of civic life as adults.”  said Wood. “We are asking the federal court to affirm that all public school students have that right under the U.S. Constitution.”

“We’re proceeding two paths,” Wood said on Friday. “We field the case in federal court on Wednesday and we intend to proceed very vigorously in that litigation but we should wait until we have that answer. We intend to hold forums around the state asking Rhode Islanders what would you like to see improved about your public education system — do your kids know what they need to do to know to vote, to sit on a jury, exercise their right to free speech, to participate in government?”

“So we’re going to do that the over the next year and a half regardless of the outcome of this litigation — but in support if the litigation — because if we do prevail — and we expect that will will — then we’re ready to go.”