Civil Rights
Read more about civil rights and schools, enforcement by the Education Department's office for civil rights, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, and more
How a Federal Office Investigates and Resolves Discrimination Complaints Against Schools
What is OCR, how do you file a complaint, and what relief can it offer for students or staff whose civil rights may have been violated?
Every Student Succeeds Act
Hearing Puts Civil Rights, Special Education Nominees on Hot Seat
The Trump administration's picks to head up two key positions in the Department of Education face tough questions from Democrats on Capitol Hill.
Special Education
Civil Rights Commission Takes on Issue of Minorities in Special Education
The federal panel discussed the complex topic of minority students and whether they are placed in special education, disciplined more severely, or sent to restrictive settings more often than their peers.
Equity & Diversity
DeVos' Team Hears Criticisms of Obama-Era Guidance on Student Discipline
Civil rights groups and their advocates in Congress worry the meeting could serve as a prelude to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos ultimately revoking the guidance.
Federal
Betsy DeVos Urged to Reject Florida's ESSA Plan by Civil Rights Groups
Florida's ESSA plan would give state tests only in English, and it would also leave English-language proficiency out of the state accountability system. Civil rights activists have a problem with those approaches.
Federal
Trump Moves to Fill Key Civil Rights Post
The Trump administration has picked the leader of a group that advocates for the civil rights of the Jewish community to hold the top civil rights post under U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
Federal
DeVos Scraps More 'Out-of-Date' Federal Directives to Schools
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has made a point of rolling back directives from previous administration in the name of making schools' work less costly and more efficient.
Equity & Diversity
Trump Administration Re-Ups Presidential Advisory Groups for Black, Latino, and Asian Students
Commission members haven't heard from the White House since the Trump administration took office in January. The panels have helped shape policy for both Democratic and Republican presidents.
Education
Florida Folds Waiver Requests Into ESSA Plan, Infuriating Civil Rights Activists
The plan, which violates ESSA in several areas, has infuriated the state's civil rights community which said in a widely-circulated petition that the plan will harm the state's large ELL population.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
What It Takes for Families to Support Public Education
When it comes to education, we've certainly allowed all kinds of predators and vandals to chip away at America's best idea: a completely free, high-quality public education for every child. No matter what they bring to the table.
College & Workforce Readiness
Unease Over Justice Dept. Stance on Admissions
There are mixed reactions to a report that the Justice Department is recruiting lawyers to investigate and potentially sue colleges and universities over racial preferences.
Federal
Democrats Blast Betsy DeVos for Her Department's 'Hostility' to Civil Rights
DeVos' approach to civil rights has become one of the most controversial parts of her work during her first six months on the job.
Education
Civil Rights Groups Mobilize to Block Florida's ESSA Waiver Request
Advocates fear that, if Florida's waiver request is approved, other states will attempt to break free from the law's intended efforts to close the nation's stagnant achievement gap.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
The White Journey to Racial Awareness: A Stage Theory
In this blog, Jal Mehta reflects on stages of white understandings of race, with implications for education.
Law & Courts
Q&A
Trump Stance on Civil Rights Is 'Distressing and Dangerous,' Obama Official Says
Catherine Lhamon, the civil rights chief in Obama's Education Department, says she's worried about how the Trump administration approaches investigations and enforcement in some areas.