The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) this week released two collections of OCR resource materials, one for K-12 schools and one for post-secondary schools, regarding the responsibility of educational institutions to provide educational environments free from discrimination under the federal civil rights laws enforced by OCR. See Back to School: Supporting Educational Environments Free from Discrimination: A Resource Collection for Elementary and Secondary Schools and Back to School: Supporting Educational Environments Free from Discrimination: A Resource Collection for Postsecondary Institutions.

Intended as virtual “resource binders” for administrators, educators, and trustees, as well as for families, each of the above includes numerous hyperlinks to OCR resources and policy guidance, with highly detailed sections on race, color, and national origin discrimination, discrimination based on disability, and sex discrimination.  For K-12  schools, OCR also emphasizes the inclusion of sections on COVID-19-related harassment in schools; the implementation of Title IX regulations, “Confronting “Anti-LGBTQI+ Harassment in Schools,” and an example of an OCR Dear Colleague Letter regarding retaliation against individuals alleging discrimination.

Should you have questions about student discrimination issues or complaints, please contact Sara Leon & Associates, PLLC.

Author: John Janssen