A Pennsylvania district has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education’s office for civil rights to provide more equitable educational opportunities for its English-language-learner population, after an investigation found that the district was failing to meet those students’ needs.
The OCR found that the Hazleton district was in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
Federal investigators found that the district was inadequately identifying students who might need English-language-development programs, which were already understaffed. Some ell students were inappropriately excused from programs, and the district did not provide the required instructional time for more than 240 elementary students.
