Office for Civil Rights Releases New Civil Rights Data Collection Data
October 15, 2020
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today unveiled new data from the 2017–18 school year.
- Read the Press Release
- Restraint and Seclusion Issue Brief PDF (758K)
- Sexual Violence Issue Brief PDF (3.1M)
- Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) for the 2017-18 School Year
U.S. Department of Education Releases Religious Liberty and Free Inquiry Final Rule
September 9, 2020
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today released the Religious Liberty and Free Inquiry Final Rule (Final Rule). The new rule will ensure that public institutions of higher education uphold fundamental rights guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and that private institutions of higher education adhere to their own policies regarding freedom of speech, including academic freedom. The final rule also ensures the equal treatment and constitutional rights of religious student organizations at public institutions and provides clarity for faith-based institutions with respect to Title IX. Before issuing the Final Rule, the Department considered more than 17,000 public comments.
The Final Rule codifies, for the first time, factors that a faith-based institution may rely upon to demonstrate that it is “controlled by a religious organization” for purposes of Title IX. Before now, neither Title IX nor its implementing regulations have ever defined what it means to be “controlled by a religious organization.” By providing a non-exhaustive list of criteria that an educational institution may use to satisfy the definition of “controlled by a religious organization,” the Final Rule gives fair notice to stakeholders and the public of when a religious exemption under Title IX applies, and balances the Department’s interest in safeguarding religious freedom for educational institutions with its interest in ensuring vigorous enforcement of Title IX.
The Department has posted both the Final Rule and a Fact Sheet explaining the major provisions of the Final Rule.
U.S. Department of Education Releases Final Title IX Rule
May 6, 2020
The U.S. Department of Education today released its Final Rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. In addition to posting the unofficial version of the Final Rule, the Department is releasing a Fact Sheet, a Final Rule overview, a document detailing the major provisions of the Final Rules, and a document highlighting changes between the prior Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and the Final Rule. Additionally, the Office for Civil Rights has released a Webinar describing the Final Rule and many of its features.
The Final Rule is clear, predictable, and effective at ensuring schools have the tools they need to address incidents of sexual harassment in their programs and activities. Under the Final Rule, schools know the importance of responding to such incidents appropriately by supporting survivors, as well as by providing a fair, transparent process for investigating and adjudicating sexual harassment matters. The Final Rule will carry the force and effect of law as of August 14, 2020.
- Title IX Regulations Addressing Sexual Harassment (Unofficial Copy) PDF (6M)
- Title IX: Fact Sheet: Final Title IX Regulations PDF (209K)
- Title IX: U.S. Department of Education Title IX Final Rule Overview PDF (553K)
- Title IX: Summary of Major Provisions of the Department of Education’s Title IX Final Rule PDF (675K)
- Title IX: Summary of Major Provisions of the Department of Education’s Title IX Final Rule and Comparison to the NPRM PDF (706K)
- OCR Webinar: Title IX Regulations Addressing Sexual Harassment (Length: 01:11:29) 05/06/2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak
March 4, 2020
On Wednesday, March 4, 2020 the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education (Department) issued a Letter to Education Leaders on Preventing and Addressing potential discrimination associated with COVID-19 in light of the coronavirus and an increasing number of news reports concerning harassment or bullying of students perceived to be of Asian descent. The OCR letter is one of many resources the Department has made available on its COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel page, where the Department will post regular updates.
- Letter: PDF (170K)
- Visit the ED’s Information and Resources page: https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus?src=feature
Past Stories
| Date | Title of Document |
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January 2020 |
Religious Liberty and Free Inquiry Rulemaking |
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Today, the Department of Education announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to foster environments that promote open, intellectually engaging, and diverse debate, including through compliance with the First Amendment for public institutions and compliance with stated institutional policies regarding freedom of speech, including academic freedom, for private institutions. Part of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes to clarify how an educational institution may demonstrate that it is controlled by a religious organization for purposes of Title IX, 20 U.S.C. § 1681. The Department is issuing a brief factsheet regarding this aspect of the proposed regulations. The proposed regulations can be viewed here.
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January 2020 |
Students with Disabilities and the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in K-12 Public Schools |
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On January 17, 2019, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced an initiative to examine the possible inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion in our nation’s schools. As a part of this initiative, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has partnered with the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to support teachers, school leaders, parents, and stakeholders as they work to address the behavioral needs of children with disabilities. One primary component of the Department’s initiative has focused on providing technical assistance to support schools in understanding how Section 504, Title II, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) informs the development and implementation of policies governing the use of restraint and seclusion. To this end, OCR and OSERS are pleased to present the following webinar, Students with Disabilities and the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in K-12 Public Schools Webcast (Length: 00:46:09), as technical assistance to both support children with disabilities – and support the needs of those within school systems serving students. We hope that you will find this tool to be a helpful resource and valuable technical assistance on how federal laws apply to the use of restraint and seclusion. OCR and OSERS will continue to seek ways to support schools to improve outcomes for children with disabilities and ensure access to technical assistance and available resources. |
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September 2019 |
Secretary DeVos Levies Largest-Ever Clery Fine Against Michigan State University, Requires Major Corrective Action Following Systemic Failure to Address Sexual Abuse |
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The U.S. Department of Education announced it will fine Michigan State University (MSU) a record $4.5 million and require the University to make major changes to its Title IX procedures following its systemic failure to protect students from sexual abuse. The fine and required corrective action come after two separate investigations, one by the office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) and the other by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), as directed by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
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August 2019 |
U.S. Department of Education Continues Work to Improve Civil Rights Data Quality |
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U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today that the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) will work collaboratively to improve the information collected in the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC). The partnership between OCR and NCES will help to ensure that the CRDC data is valid, reliable and authenticated in a manner that provides a more accurate picture of key civil rights issues in education. "OCR has worked to continuously improve CRDC data quality—and has taken unprecedented steps to ensure school districts report accurate data to the Department," said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. "This agreement between OCR and NCES is one additional step to make sure that we are doing everything we can to help states and school districts provide correct CRDC data that can be relied on by the public, parents and families. |
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July 2019 |
New Data Show Secretary DeVos' Reforms to the Office for Civil Rights are Driving Better Results for Students |
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The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education released new data today that show students who file civil rights complaints under U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ leadership are served more efficiently and effectively than students who filed civil rights complaints during the previous administration. |
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June 2019 |
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Issues Statement on Title IX Anniversary |
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U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos released the following statement for tomorrow’s 47th anniversary of the enactment of Title IX: “Title IX makes clear that no student shall, on the basis of sex, be subject to discrimination. This important law ensures that institutions that receive federal taxpayer funds will follow the law and grant equal access to all students, regardless of sex, in activities and programs inside and outside the classroom. We take the responsibility of protecting students seriously. The Department’s Office for Civil Rights vigorously enforces Title IX so that every student can pursue a quality education free from discrimination.” |
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February 2019 |
U.S. Department of Education Announces One Day Reopening of Comment Period for Proposed Title IX Rule |
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The U.S. Department of Education today submitted for publication in the Federal Register written notice of re-opening of the comment period for the Department's proposed regulations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance). On November 29, 2018, the Department published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the regulations under Title IX (Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance). During the 62-day comment period, which closed on January 30, 2019, the Department received more than 104,000 comments. To give the public an additional opportunity to comment—particularly anyone who may have experienced technical difficulties using the Federal eRulemaking Portal—the Department is reopening the comment period for one day on February 15, 2019. As to comments not previously submitted, commenters must submit comments: between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. EST on February 15, 2019 if submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal (www.regulations.gov); or between 9:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST on February 15, 2019 if hand delivered; or postmarked on February 15, 2019 if delivered by postal mail or commercial delivery. Comments submitted by postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery must be addressed to Brittany Bull, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Room 6E310, Washington, DC 20202. Please do not resubmit a comment that was previously submitted. The Department is continuously processing and posting all comments received from the public in a manner that ensures the Department is able to review and consider each comment. Once all comments have been processed, they will be posted and publicly available. |
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January 2019 |
U.S. Department of Education Submits to Federal Register Written Notice of Extension to Comment Period for Proposed Title IX Rule |
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The U.S. Department of Education today submitted for publication in the Federal Register written notice of an extension of the comment period for the Department's proposed regulations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance). On November 29, 2018, the Department published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register (83 FR 61462) to amend the Title IX regulations to provide appropriate standards for how recipients must respond to incidents of sexual harassment. The NPRM established a 60-day comment period through January 28, 2019; however, the Federal eRulemaking Portal was temporarily unavailable for a portion of January 16 and 17, 2019 due to technical issues. To ensure that the public will have had 60 days in total to submit comments on the Department's NPRM using the Federal eRulemaking Portal, the Department is extending the public comment period for an additional two days. Comments must now be submitted to the Department on or before January 30, 2019. Comments may continue to be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=ED_FRDOC_0001-0830, or by postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery addressed to: Brittany Bull, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Room 6E310, Washington, DC 20202.
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January 2019 |
U.S. Department of Education Announces Initiative to Address the Inappropriate Use of Restraint and Seclusion to Protect Children with Disabilities, Ensure Compliance with Federal Laws |
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U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced that the U.S. Department of Education is launching an initiative to address the possible inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion in our nation’s schools. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR), in partnership with the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), will oversee this proactive approach, which will protect students with disabilities by providing technical assistance and support to schools, districts, and state education agencies, and which will strengthen enforcement activities.
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November 2018 |
U.S. Department of Education Builds on Efforts to Improve Services for Students, Increase Effectiveness and Fairness of Office for Civil Rights Investigations |
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As part of its ongoing work to protect students' civil rights and effectively, efficiently and fairly investigate civil rights complaints, today the U.S. Department of Education announced additional improvements to the Office for Civil Rights' (OCR) Case Processing Manual (CPM). |
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November 2018 |
U.S. Department of Education Releases Proposed Title IX Rule |
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The U.S. Department of Education today released its proposed rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. This package includes the Department's press release, a one page fact sheet, a section-by-section summary of the proposed rule, and the proposed rule in its entirety. The Department's proposed rule will be open for public comment for 60 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.
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April 2018 |
Office for Civil Rights Releases New Civil Rights Data Collection Data |
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The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today unveiled new data from the 2015–16 school year.
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September 2017 |
Office for Civil Rights Withdraws Guidance on Sexual Violence and Issues Q&A on Campus Sexual Misconduct |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today issued a Dear Colleague Letter and Q&A on Campus Sexual Misconduct. The Dear Colleague Letter withdraws the statements of policy and guidance reflected in OCR’s Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence (April 4, 2011), and Questions and Answers on Title IX and Sexual Violence (April 29, 2014). The Q&A on Campus Sexual Misconduct provides information about how OCR will assess a school’s compliance with Title IX while it engages in rulemaking on this topic.
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March 2017 |
U.S. Education Department Reaches Agreement with Wittenberg University Concerning Title IX Violations |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced today that it has reached an agreement with Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, after finding that the university’s handling of complaints arising from reports of sexual assault violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. The Title IX probe was based on two complaints filed in July 2011 and April 2013, alleging that the university failed to respond promptly and equitably to reports that the students had been sexually assaulted. (Read More).
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March 2017 |
U.S. Education Department Reaches Agreement with Palo Alto Unified School District to Ensure Prompt, Equitable Responses to Reports of Violations of Title IX |
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The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has reached an agreement with the Palo Alto Unified School District in Palo Alto, California after finding that the district's handling of complaints violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. During OCR's June 2013 proactive investigation of the district's handling of Title IX complaints, OCR received a complaint in March 2014 alleging that the district failed to respond promptly and equitably to reports that students were subjected to sexual harassment. OCR's investigation included reviewing the policies and procedures utilized by the district, reviewing investigative and discipline files provided by the district, conducting on-site visits, and interviewing district staff (Read More).
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March 2017 |
U.S. Education Department Reaches Agreement with Wittenberg University Concerning Title IX Violations |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced today that it has reached an agreement with Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, after finding that the university’s handling of complaints arising from reports of sexual assault violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. The Title IX probe was based on two complaints filed in July 2011 and April 2013, alleging that the university failed to respond promptly and equitably to reports that the students had been sexually assaulted. (Read More).
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March 2017 |
U.S. Education Department Reaches Agreement with Palo Alto Unified School District to Ensure Prompt, Equitable Responses to Reports of Violations of Title IX |
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The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has reached an agreement with the Palo Alto Unified School District in Palo Alto, California after finding that the district's handling of complaints violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. During OCR's June 2013 proactive investigation of the district's handling of Title IX complaints, OCR received a complaint in March 2014 alleging that the district failed to respond promptly and equitably to reports that students were subjected to sexual harassment. OCR's investigation included reviewing the policies and procedures utilized by the district, reviewing investigative and discipline files provided by the district, conducting on-site visits, and interviewing district staff (Read More).
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January 2017 |
Office for Civil Rights Releases Resources for Educators on Title VI and Religion |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today released a package of documents to assist schools, colleges, universities, educators, and students understand how Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, enforced by OCR, protects students of any religion from discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, or national origin, including discrimination based on a student’s actual or perceived:
The package includes a Know Your Rights document on when discrimination involving students who are or are perceived to belong to a religious group may be discrimination that is prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act; a fact sheet on combatting discrimination against Jewish students; a fact sheet on combatting discrimination against AANHPI/MASSA students; and a Dear Colleague Letter on Title VI and Title IX and Religious Discrimination |
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December 2016 |
Office for Civil Rights Releases Guidance about the Rights of Students with Disabilities in Public Charter Schools |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) jointly issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) and separate question and answer guidance documents to help educators, parents, students, and other stakeholders better understand the rights of students with disabilities in public charter schools under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In addition, OCR and OSERS jointly issued a fact sheet that provides a brief overview of the guidance.
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December 2016 |
Office for Civil Rights Releases Guidance on the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Schools |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today issued legal guidance to school districts as to how the use of restraint or seclusion can result in discrimination against students with disabilities, in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In addition, the Department also released a “Fast Facts” document that provides a brief overview of the guidance.
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December 2016 |
Office for Civil Rights Releases a Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today issued a resource guide to help parents and the public elementary and secondary school community understand student rights and school district responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), a Federal civil rights law that prohibits disability discrimination.
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December 2016 |
Elmira College Reaches Agreement with U.S. Education Department to Address Title IX Violations Regarding Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence |
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The U.S. Department of Education announced today that the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has reached an agreement with Elmira College in Elmira, New York, after finding that the college violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 by failing to promptly and equitably respond to complaints of sexual harassment and sexual violence. “Elmira College has demonstrated a strong commitment to address and prevent sexual harassment and violence among students, staff and the college community,” said Catherine E. Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights. “I thank Elmira and its leadership for their commitment to work with OCR to implement this agreement, and to ensure student safety.”
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December 2016 |
Office for Civil Rights Releases Guidance on the Prevention of Racial Discrimination in Special Education |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today issued guidance addressing the interplay of the Title VI prohibition against discrimination on the basis of race/color/national origin in the administration of special education in public schools.
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December 2016 |
Civil Rights Reports Spotlight Eight Years of Accomplishments, Lingering Challenges |
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The U.S. Department of Education released two reports today that spotlight the challenges and achievements of the Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in protecting students’ civil rights during an event with U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr., former Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon.
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November 2016 |
Connecticut's East Hartford Public Schools' Enrollment, Registration Methods Found in Violation of Civil Rights |
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The U.S. Department of Education announced today that its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has reached an agreement with Connecticut’s East Hartford Public Schools after finding that the district violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by failing to provide adequate language services to limited English proficient (LEP) parents and guardians and by unlawfully imposing barriers to enrollment and applying additional registration and enrollment criteria to students based on national origin.
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November 2016 |
Yonkers (N.Y.) Public Schools Commit to Addressing Problems Serving Students with Disabilities |
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The U.S. Department of Education announced today that its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has entered into a resolution agreement with the Yonkers (N.Y.) Public Schools to address address problems concerning appropriate access to general education instruction for the district’s more than 4,000 students with disabilities.
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October 2016 |
CUNY, Hunter College Reach Agreement with U.S. Education Department to Address Title IX Violations on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence |
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The U.S. Department of Education announced today that the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has reached an agreement with the City University of New York (CUNY) and its Hunter College after finding that the college violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 by failing to promptly and equitably respond to complaints of sexual harassment and sexual violence.
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October 2016 |
Students Accused of Sexual Misconduct Had Title IX Rights Violated by Wesley College, Says U.S. Department of Education |
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The U.S. Department of Education announced today that its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has reached an agreement with Wesley College in Dover, Delaware after finding the college in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as it applies to sexual violence and sexual harassment. OCR determined that students accused of sexual misconduct had their Title IX rights violated by Wesley in the course of its investigation of the case.
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September 2016 |
Questions and Answers about the Supreme Court's 2016 ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin |
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This "Questions and Answers" entry provides information about the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2016 ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (Fisher II), and reiterates the continued support of the Departments of Education and Justice for the voluntary use of race and ethnicity to achieve diversity in education.
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August 2016 |
Maryland's Frostburg State University Found in Violation of Title IX, Reaches Agreement with U.S. Education Department to Address, Prevent Sexual Assault and Harassment |
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| The U.S. Department of Education announced today that its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has entered into an agreement with Frostburg State University of the University System of Maryland to ensure compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as it applies to sexual violence and sexual harassment. The action follows an OCR investigation which found Frostburg to be in violation of Title IX.
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August 2016 |
U.S. Education Department Reaches Settlement with Lodi Unified School District in California |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced today that the Lodi Unified School District in Lodi, California, has entered into a resolution agreement to end the racially discriminatory impact of the district’s discipline policies and address concerns that it disciplines African-American students more harshly than white students.
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August 2016 |
San Bernardino County, U.S. Education Department Agree to Ensure that Students with Disabilities in Alternative and Juvenile Court Schools Receive Free, Appropriate Education |
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The U.S. Department of Education announced today that its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has entered into a resolution agreement with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools in California to address compliance issues involving students with disabilities in alternative and juvenile court schools. An OCR investigation found that the county discriminated against students with disabilities in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Read more).
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July 2016 |
Office for Civil Rights Releases ADHD Guidance |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today issued guidance clarifying the obligation of schools to provide students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with equal educational opportunity under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504). The guidance—in the form of a Dear Colleague Letter and accompanying Resource Guide—provides a broad overview of Section 504 and school districts’ obligations to students with ADHD, including appropriately evaluating and providing services to such students, and ensuring due process. In addition, the Department also released a Know Your Rights document that provides a brief overview of the guidance.
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July 2016 |
OCR Web Updates on Religious Discrimination |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today unveiled a new webpage about religious discrimination and an updated online complaint form to make clearer when OCR can investigate complaints of discrimination involving religion. Both aim to ensure that students of all religious backgrounds receive the full protection of the Federal civil rights laws that OCR enforces. |
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July 2016 |
U.S. Education Department Settles Sexual Assault Case with Minot State University, N.D. |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced today that it has entered into a resolution agreement with Minot State University, North Dakota, after finding the university in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
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July 2016 |
Virginia's Hampton City Schools, U.S. Education Department Settle Case of Retaliation Against Mom Who Advocated for Daughter |
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The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced today that it has entered into a resolution agreement with the Hampton, Virginia, City Schools after finding the division in violation of the civil rights laws enforced by OCR that prohibit retaliation for opposing discriminatory practices or for participating in OCR's complaint resolution process.
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June 2016 |
Settlements Reached in Seven States, One Territory to Ensure Website Accessibility for People with Disabilities |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today announced that it has reached settlements with education organizations in seven states and one territory to ensure website accessibility for people with disabilities. |
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June 2016 |
Office for Civil Rights Reaches Settlement With Dorchester County School District Two in South Carolina Over Transgender Discrimination |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced today that it has entered into a voluntary resolution agreement with Dorchester County School District Two in South Carolina, after finding the district in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for discriminating against a transgender elementary school student. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects all students from sex-based discrimination.
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June 2016 |
Guidance on Gender Equity in Career and Technical Education |
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The Dear Colleague Letter from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education explains that all students, regardless of their sex, must have equal access to the full range of career and technical education (CTE) programs offered. The Dear Colleague Letter includes an overview of the legal requirements most relevant to ensuring gender equity in CTE programs and provides examples of ways schools can prevent or remedy inequity.
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June 2016 |
Occidental College, U.S. Education Department Reach Agreement to Ensure Prompt, Equitable Responses to Reports of Sexual Harassment, Violence |
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The U.S. Department of Education announced today that its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has reached an agreement with Occidental College in Los Angeles to resolve a sexual violence and sexual harassment complaint investigation.
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June 2016 |
Persistent Disparities Found Through Comprehensive Civil Rights Survey Underscore Need for Continued Focus on Equity, King Says |
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The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) todayunveiled new data from the 2013-2014 school year showing gaps that still remain too wide in key areas affecting educational equity and opportunity for students, including incidents of discipline, restraint and seclusion, access to courses and programs that lead to college and career readiness, teacher equity, rates of retention, and access to early learning. U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. said that, despite significant work from districts across the country, the persistent disparities shown in the Civil Rights Data Collection – which collected data from all public schools and school districts nationwide for the 2013-14 school year – highlight the need for a continued focus on educational equity, especially in the implementation of the new Every Student Succeeds Act.
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June 2016 |
U.S. Department of Education Release Joint Fact Sheet about Combating Discrimination against Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and Muslim, Arab, Sikh, and South Asian (MASSA) Students |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Educational Opportunities Section, and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders issued a fact sheet that includes examples of forms of discrimination that members of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and Muslim, Arab, Sikh, and South Asian (MASSA) communities commonly face.
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May 2016 |
U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Release Joint Guidance to Help Schools Ensure the Civil Rights of Transgender Students |
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The "Dear Colleague" Letter from the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice summarizes a school’s Title IX obligations regarding transgender students and explains how the Departments evaluate a school’s compliance with these obligations. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education issued a companion document, Examples of Policies and Emerging Practices for Supporting Transgender Students, which summarizes key components of policies on transgender students from school districts and state education agencies across the country. The "Dear Colleague" Letter and Emerging Practices are available on the Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Students Resources page. |
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May 2016 |
U.S. Department of Education Releases Report on Office for Civil Rights to Ensure Educational Equity for All Students |
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The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights today released its fiscal year 2015 annual report highlighting efforts during the last year to protect students’ civil rights and increase educational equity nationwide. The report, Delivering Justice, cites examples of OCR’s enforcement activities in 2015, including processing of a record 10,392 civil rights complaints, opening more than 3,000 investigations, and reaching more than 1,000 substantive resolutions with institutions that included remedies or changes designed to protect students’ civil rights.
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May 2016 |
U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Reach Voluntary Settlement with Arizona Department of Education to Meet the Needs of English Language Learner Students |
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The U.S. Departments of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division entered into a voluntary settlement agreement late yesterday with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. |
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April 2016 |
Oklahoma City Public Schools, US Department of Education Reach Agreement to Resolve Nondiscrimination Investigation Regarding Disciplining Students |
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The U.S. Department of Education today reached a settlement agreement with the Oklahoma City Public Schools to address disproportionate discipline of black students. An investigation revealed black students were significantly overrepresented in disciplinary actions. |
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March 2016 |
Settlement Reached on Title IX Athletics Probe at Buffalo's Erie Community College |
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The U.S. Department of Education announced today that its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has reached a settlement with Erie Community College in Buffalo, New York, to resolve issues of women’s access to athletic opportunities at the institution.
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January 2016 |
Toledo Public Schools, U.S. Education Department Reach Agreement to Address Issues of African American Student Access to Resources |
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The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights and Toledo Public Schools announced today that the district has entered into a resolution agreement to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in providing equitable resources to African American students. |
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December 2015 |
Guidance on Voluntary Youth Service Organizations |
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The Dear Colleague Letter from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon explains the circumstances under which a school district lawfully may work with outside organizations that provide single-sex programming under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
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December 2015 |
Settlement Reached with Palatine, Ill., Township High School District 211 to Remedy Transgender Discrimination |
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The District voluntarily signed a resolution agreement to resolve a Title IX violation on December 3, 2015. On November 2, 2015, OCR issued a letter of finding stating that the district was in violation of Title IX for discriminating against a transgender high school student by denying her access to the girls' locker rooms for more than two years. The agreement requires the District ... (Read Entire Summary). |
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September 2015 |
U.S. Education Department Reaches Agreement with the University of Virginia to Address and Prevent Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment |
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the University of Virginia (UVA) announced today that UVA has entered into a resolution agreement to ensure that the university’s handling of sexual violence and sexual harassment complies with the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). |
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April 2015 |
Annual Report on Activities for Fiscal Year 2012-2014 |
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OCR has recently released an Annual Report on Activities for Fiscal Year 2012-2014. These reports summarize OCR's policy and enforcement activities, and are required to be presented to the President, the Secretary of Education, and Congress by Section 203(b) of the Department of Education Organization Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-88.
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April 2015 |
Guidance on Obligation of Schools to Designate a Title IX Coordinator |
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The Dear Colleague Letter is accompanied by a letter to Title IX coordinators that provides them with more information about their role and a Title IX resource guide that includes an overview of Title IX’s requirements with respect to several key issues. The Dear Colleague Letter, the letter to Title IX coordinators and the Title IX Resource Guide are available on the Title IX Coordinators page. |
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March 2015 |
Addressing the Risk of Measles in Schools while Protecting the Civil Rights of Students with Disabilities |
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OCR Fact Sheet entitled “Addressing the Risk of Measles in Schools while Protecting the Civil Rights of Students with Disabilities.” The Fact Sheet addresses how school officials can implement recommendations and resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) related to protecting children and their families from measles without discriminating on the basis of disability, particularly in the case of students who are medically unable to receive a vaccine because of a disability, and explains what school officials must do to ensure continuity of learning if a student is legitimately excluded from school. Other resources on measles can be found at rems.ed.gov/KeepSchoolsSafeFromDiseases.aspx.
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February 2015 |
Case Processing Manual |
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Notice – OCR is now posting its updated Case Processing Manual (CPM), which replaces the January 2010 version of the CPM. |
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January 7, 2015 |
Guidance to Ensure English Learner Students Have Equal Access to a High-Quality Education |
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“The U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Justice (DOJ) today released joint guidance: "Dear Colleague Letter: English Learner Students and Limited English Proficient Parents" reminding states, school districts and schools of their obligations under federal law to ensure that English learner students have equal access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential.” In addition to the guidance, the Departments also released additional tools and resources to help schools in serving English learner students and parents with limited English proficiency, including:
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December 16, 2014 |
OCR Fact Sheet entitled “Implementing CDC’s Ebola Guidance for Schools while Protecting the Civil Rights of Students and Others”. |
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The Fact Sheet addresses how school officials can implement Ebola guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability; explains what school officials must do to ensure a continuity of learning if a student is legitimately excluded from school; and reminds school officials of their responsibility to respond to bullying and harassment. Other resources on Ebola can be found at www.ed.gov/ebola-response.
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December 8, 2014 |
Guidance on Protecting Civil Rights in Juvenile Justice Residential Facilities |
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"Dear Colleague" letter from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon and Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Vanita Gupta, U.S. Department of Justice, concerning the applicability of Federal civil rights laws to juvenile justice residential facilities. The letter provides a reminder that juvenile justice residential facilities receiving Federal funds are subject to the same Federal civil rights obligations as all other public schools, and highlights some of the legal requirements related to access to academic coursework and career and vocational training, students with disabilities, English language learners, and the administration of discipline.
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December 1, 2014 |
Questions and Answers on Title IX and Single-Sex Elementary and Secondary Classes and Extracurricular Activities |
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These questions and answers clarify the legal requirements under the Department's Title IX regulations governing single-sex elementary and secondary classes and extracurricular activities.
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November 12, 2014 |
Guidance on effective communication for students with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities in public elementary and secondary schools |
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“Dear Colleague” letter PDF (159K) and accompanying Frequently Asked Questions document (FAQ) PDF (418K) and Parent Fact Sheet PDF (103K) from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon, Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Michael K. Yudin, and Vanita Gupta, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Justice, concerning effective communication for students with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities in public elementary and secondary schools. |
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October 21, 2014 |
Guidance on Bullying of Students with Disabilities |
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Dear Colleague letter PDF (363K) from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon, concerning the obligation of elementary and secondary schools to respond to the bullying of students with disabilities, including those students who are not eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act but are entitled to services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The guidance discusses the actions schools must take when bullying interferes with the education of a student with a disability who is bullied on any basis, and provides insight into how OCR analyzes complaints involving bullying of students with disabilities. |
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October 1, 2014 |
Guidance to Ensure All Students Have Equal Access to Educational Resources |
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Dear Colleague Letter: Resource Comparability from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon about ensuring students have equal access to educational resources without regard to race, color, or national origin. The guidance, fact sheet, and resources for technical assistance are also available on the Resource Comparability Materials homepage.
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May 14, 2014 |
Guidance on Charter Schools |
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The new guidance highlights critical subjects that have arisen in charter schools, including the schools’ obligations to avoid discrimination in admissions practices and the administration of discipline; to provide a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities; and to take affirmative steps to assist English learners. The guidance also points to other OCR publications regarding additional civil rights principles that are equally applicable to charter schools.
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May 8, 2014 |
Guidance for School Districts to Ensure Equal Access for All Children to Public Schools Regardless of Immigration Status |
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Important updates to the joint 2011 guidance regarding school responsibilities under Plyer v. Doe, including examples of permissible enrollment practices, as well as examples of the types of information that may not be used as a basis for denying a student entrance to school.
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May 6, 2014 |
Letter on Supreme Court ruling in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action |
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Dear Colleague Letter concerning the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action. The letter provides information about the Schuette decision and reiterates the Departments’ support for the voluntary use of race and ethnicity to achieve diversity in education.
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April 29, 2014 |
Update as of 09/22/2017. The original guidance issued below has been withdrawn. |
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These questions and answers further clarify the legal requirements under Title IX articulated in the April 4, 2011 Dear Colleague letter on Sexual Violence and the January 19, 2001 Revised Sexual Harassment Guidance and provide recommendations for addressing allegations of sexual violence. |
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January 8, 2014 |
Guidance Package to Enhance School Climate and Improve School Discipline Policies/Practices |
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The guidance package will assist states, districts and schools in developing practices and strategies to enhance school climate, and ensure those policies and practices comply with federal law in light of the difficulty of creating and maintaining safe, positive environments. Included within the guidance package is the "Dear Colleague letter: Racial Disparities In The Administration Of School Discipline" from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon, U.S. Department of Education, and Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels, U.S. Department of Justice.
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December 23, 2013 |
State and national estimations for the 2009-10 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) |
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December 23, 2013: Posting of state and national estimations for the 2009-10 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) on the CRDC website at http://ocrdata.ed.gov. On December 23, 2013 the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) posted files containing state and national estimations based on the 2009-10 school year CRDC data from a sample of our nation’s public schools on OCR’s website for the CRDC. |
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September 27, 2013 |
Guidance on the Voluntary Use of Race to Achieve Diversity in Higher Education after Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin |
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This “Dear Colleague” letter and Questions and Answers document provides colleges and universities with information about the ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, and reiterates the Departments of Justice and the Department of Education’s position on the voluntary use of race to achieve diversity in higher education.
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June 25, 2013 |
Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX: |
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“Dear Colleague” Letter and Pamphlet: Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 from Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Seth Galanter. This pamphlet clarifies the specific requirements of Title IX applicable to pregnant and parenting students. The pamphlet contains a FAQ section that explains the Title IX requirements and provides examples to ensure that schools understand their obligations and pregnant and parenting students understand their rights under Title IX. The pamphlet also provides information on strategies that educators may use and programs schools can develop to address the educational needs of students who become pregnant or have children. It also provides examples of promising practices designed to support pregnant and parenting students that schools may choose to implement.
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June 12, 2013 |
Guidance to Health-Related Schools Regarding Hepatitis B Discrimination |
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Joint OCR/DOJ/HHS "Dear Colleague" Letter, addressing the rights of students with hepatitis B in postsecondary medical, dental, nursing, and other health-related programs. The letter discusses the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the participation of students with hepatitis B in health-related schools, and how the CDC recommendations relate to the federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, color, and national origin. |
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April 24, 2013 |
"Dear Colleague" letter from Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Seth Galanter, concerning the prohibition against retaliation under Federal civil rights laws. |
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The letter clarifies the basic principles of retaliation law and describes OCR’s methods of enforcement.
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January 25, 2013 |
Guidance on Schools' Obligation to Provide Equal Opportunity to Students with Disabilities to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics |
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"Dear Colleague" letter from Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Seth Galanter, addressing equal access to extracurricular athletics for students with disabilities. The Dear Colleague letter provides an overview of the obligations of public elementary and secondary schools under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), and the Department’s Section 504 regulations; cautions against making decisions based on presumptions and stereotypes; details the specific Section 504 regulations that require students with disabilities to have an equal opportunity for participation in nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities; and discusses the provision of separate or different athletic opportunities.
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March 14, 2012 |
Notice of Interpretation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 |
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The Department of Education has published in the Federal Register a Notice of Interpretation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for new construction and alterations in light of recent revisions, by the Department of Justice, of regulations implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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March 6, 2012 |
New Data from U.S. Department of Education Highlights Educational Inequities Around Teacher Experience, Discipline and High School Rigor: |
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With the Part 2 release of data from the 2009-2010 Civil Rights Data Collection, OCR shows, among other things, that minority students across America face harsher discipline, have less access to rigorous high school curricula, and are more often taught by lower-paid and less experienced teachers. |
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January 19, 2012 |
Department of Education Issues ADA Amendments Act Dear Colleague Letter to Provide Guidance Under Amended Legal Standards |
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Effective Jan. 1, 2009, the Amendments Act alters the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act, such that the meaning of disability is broadened and, in most cases, the focus is shifted away from the question of whether a student has a disability and toward the school districts' actions and obligations to ensure equal education opportunities. OCR’s “Dear Colleague” letter and FAQ sheet elaborate on the effects of the Act. |
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December 2, 2011 |
Guidance on Voluntary Use of Race to Achieve Diversity or Avoid Racial Isolation |
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Joint OCR/DOJ "Dear Colleague" Letter and guidance documents addressing the voluntary use of race to achieve diversity or avoid racial isolation in elementary and secondary schools, and the voluntary use of race to achieve diversity in postsecondary institutions. |
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June 30, 2011 |
New Data from the U.S. Department of Education 2009-10 Civil Rights Data Collection Show Continuing Disparities in Educational Opportunities and Resources |
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With this first installment of a two-part biennial survey, the U.S. Department of Education provides data that not only calls attention to disparities in education resources and opportunities, but also enables policymakers, educators and parents by giving them critical information to help in identifying inequities and closing the educational achievement gap. |
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May 6, 2011 |
“Both the United States Department of Justice and the United States Department of Education (Departments) write to remind you of the Federal obligation to provide equal educational opportunities to all children residing within your district and to offer our assistance in ensuring that you comply with the law.” |
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The above excerpt is from a joint Departments of Education and Justice “Dear Colleague” letter regarding schools’ enrollment procedures.
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April 4, 2011 |
Update as of 09/22/2017. The original guidance issued below has been withdrawn. |
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Through the release of a “Dear Colleague” letter, Vice President Biden and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have introduced comprehensive guidance to help schools, colleges and university better understand their responsibility to prevent the problem of campus sexual assault.
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For news stories prior to January 31, 2011, please visit our additional News page.