My memory tells me that a 2000 Ford Escort has a Clutch Master and Slave cylinder. Should either of these be bad, when you push in the clutch pedal, the clutch will still be engaged. Check your owner’s manual for exact location of these parts, but often the Clutch Master Cylinder is next to the Brake Master Cylinder mounted on the firewall, and Slave cylinder is mounted under the car. See if there is fluid in the reservoir. If not, you can try and add some brake fluid and see if your pedal starts working, but highly unlikely. Normally the Clutch Master and Slave cylinders are replaced together, as if one is bad, likely the other is too, or near time to replace. Last time I did one of these, the Slave was about $110 and the Master was about $110. Figure about 2 hours labor. If you take it to a shop figure about $600 or more.