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

Explainer

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 Civil Rights Groups To Feds: Your ESSA Rules Must Push Equity, Disruptive or Not
The backdrop for this is the tetchy debate over "supplement-not-supplant." That part of ESSA requires federal money not to be used to fill gaps left by state and local funding systems.
Andrew Ujifusa, April 28, 2016
2 min read
Gavin Grimm stands on the front porch of his home in Gloucester, Va., in 2015. The high school student, who was born female but identifies as male, says it's discriminatory to make him use the girls' room or a single-stall unisex restroom at school.
Gavin Grimm stands on the front porch of his home in Gloucester, Va., in 2015. The high school student, who was born female but identifies as male, says it's discriminatory to make him use the girls' room or a single-stall unisex restroom at school.
Steve Helber/AP
Law & Courts Schools Get Clarity on Transgender Student Restroom Access
A federal appeals court ruling that Title IX protects the rights of students to use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity could have far-reaching implications for schools.
Evie Blad, April 22, 2016
5 min read
School & District Management Civil Rights Museum on Wheels Rolls From New York to Tampa, Fla., District
The "Destination Diversity" tour, part of a digital civil rights course being taken by students in two districts hundreds of miles apart, is making stops in Washington, Greensboro, N.C., Atlanta, and Tampa.
Denisa R. Superville, April 7, 2016
6 min read
Equity & Diversity Lawsuit: N.C. Restrictions on Transgender Restroom Access Violate Federal Law
The suit, by Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of North Carolina, and Equality North Carolina, claims that the law violates the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Title IX.
Evie Blad, March 29, 2016
1 min read
Equity & Diversity Opinion Empowering Students to Become Agents of Social Change
A Boston school's study of the Ferguson, Missouri, police department engaged students in a real-world problem about social justice and encouraged them to see themselves as agents of social change.
Contributing Blogger, March 11, 2016
5 min read
Law & Courts S. D. Governor Vetoes Limits on Transgender Students' Restroom Access
Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard rejected a measure that would have created the first state-level restrictions on transgender students’ use of school restrooms and locker rooms.
Evie Blad, March 8, 2016
3 min read
Federal Civil Rights Groups to King: Don't Forget to Protect Disadvantaged Kids in ESSA
This may be the organizations' way of providing a kind of counterweight to another letter, from governors, state boards of education, teachers' unions and more calling for flexibility to be at the center of ESSA regulation.
Alyson Klein, March 4, 2016
1 min read
Equity & Diversity Opinion Thinking Deeply About Equity
The stories of Deeper Learning Equity Fellows show varied experiences and approaches to the problem of ensuring that all students have access to deeper learning.
Contributing Blogger, March 4, 2016
5 min read
Equity & Diversity Opinion Leaders as Learners: Exploring Equity
By immersing themselves in a real-world project, as students are expected to do, a group of education leaders learn deeply about equity.
Contributing Blogger, February 29, 2016
5 min read
Equity & Diversity Opinion What's the Matter with Detroit Schools? Pt III: Say Nice Things about Detroit
A young man I spoke with in Detroit said: We used to talk, all the time, about sustainability. But that's a 20th century concept. Now we talk about flexibility, the opportunity for constant growth, change and innovation. No one solution. Why say nice things about Detroit? Detroit matters to the health of the whole state of Michigan. In fact, Detroit matters to the entire nation. If we can't solve problems with flagship businesses like the auto industry, or the problem of educating kids in deep poverty, we're in trouble.
Nancy Flanagan, February 27, 2016
5 min read
Equity & Diversity Justice Department Eyes Accommodations on SAT, ACT
In some states, students with disabilities are required to take one of the college-entrance exams, but some can't get the testing accommodations they need.
Catherine Gewertz, February 24, 2016
1 min read
Thomas Lewis, an 18-year-old transgender student at Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, S.D., speaks out against legislation that advocacy groups have said would discriminate against transgender people during a news conference last month in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Thomas Lewis, an 18-year-old transgender student at Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, S.D., speaks out against legislation that advocacy groups have said would discriminate against transgender people during a news conference last month in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Joe Ahlquist/Argus Leader via AP
Law & Courts South Dakota Could Be First State to Restrict School Restrooms Used by Transgender Students
A bill awaiting action from the South Dakota governor would require transgender students to use the restrooms and locker rooms that match with their biological sex at birth.
Evie Blad, February 19, 2016
6 min read
Equity & Diversity Opinion Race, Housing, and Deeper Learning
A project at High Tech Middle North County on housing opened students' eyes to the persistence of social inequality.
Contributing Blogger, February 5, 2016
5 min read
Equity & Diversity Special Education Parents File Complaint Against New York City Charter Network
The Success Academies, a network that educates 11,000 children, is the subject of a complaint over its disciplinary practices, which some allege unfairly target students with disabilities.
Christina A. Samuels, January 28, 2016
3 min read