US tells schools not to alter discipline policies to reduce racial disparities
The department says schools cannot use race to balance discipline outcomes and launched Title VI probes into Milwaukee Public Schools and another district.
- On Tuesday, the U.S. Education Department issued guidance urging schools to stop "racial balancing" in student discipline policies, restricting civil rights investigations to intentional discrimination rather than disparate impact.
- This guidance follows the department's decision last month to eliminate regulations dating back more than 60 years that allowed investigations based on statistical outcomes; the Trump administration described prior guidance as "hamstrung by erroneous interpretations."
- Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey stated that neither Title VI nor the Constitution requires race-conscious discipline, arguing that schools evaluating racial outcomes in their policies constitutes discrimination by the school itself.
- Critics including EdTrust P-12 policy director Eric Duncan warned the policy ignores racial disparities; Advancement Project director Adaku Onyeka-Crawford called the guidance "poorly argued" and relying on "misrepresentations of legal precedent."
- While the Dear Colleague letter lacks the force of law, it signals the administration's enforcement priorities; Manhattan Institute fellow Carolyn Gorman praised it as "VERY welcome common sense" for student discipline.
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Helena Independent Record
Schools told not to alter policies to reduce racial disparities
Federal civil rights data shows Black students are disciplined at disproportionately high rates. The Trump administration says "racial balancing" is discrimination.
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ussanews.comDepartment Of Education To No Longer Require School Discipline Policies That Discriminate On The Basis Of Race
By TYLER O’NEIL, The Daily Signal | August 18, 2026 The Department of Education issued guidance Tuesday urging schools to neither favor nor disfavor students based on race when it comes to discipline, reversing Obama-era guidelines. The department also announced new civil rights investigations into two school districts that allegedly used race-based disciplinary policies.“For too long, the Left’s pursuit of ‘equity’ has perversely required schoo…
US education department tells schools to stop ‘racial balancing’ in student discipline policies
US News: The US Education Department warns schools against changing disciplinary policies to avoid racial disparities, resulting in a heated debate about discrimination and school discipline practices. Black students face significantly harsher punishment compared to their white peers, raising concerns about equity in education.
Leaders react to federal investigation into whether MPS considers race when disciplining students
Local leaders and educators are seeking clarity on the U.S. Department of Education’s investigation into whether Milwaukee Public Schools considers race when disciplining students. The Tuesday announcement of the investigation into MPS and another school district in Fayetteville, Arkansas, coincided with the department issuing new guidance to educational institutions that explains how the administration interprets existing laws. It details how…
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