https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/civil-rights Civil Rights en-US 2021 (c) Education Week Fri, 11 Sep 2026 22:19:26 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/disciplined-for-charlie-kirk-posts-these-teachers-fought-back-and-won/2026/09 Several of them won settlements. But the legal line for punishing teachers over speech remains murky and contested. Fri, 11 Sep 2026 22:19:26 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/disciplined-for-charlie-kirk-posts-these-teachers-fought-back-and-won/2026/09 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/ed-dept-releases-data-on-schools-racial-disparities-months-late/2026/09 The data is supposed to highlight racial, ethnic, and disability-based disparities in schools. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 21:06:21 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/ed-dept-releases-data-on-schools-racial-disparities-months-late/2026/09 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/education-department-tells-schools-race-cant-factor-into-student-discipline/2026/08 A letter to educators follows up on last month's rescission of longstanding discrimination rules. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 22:00:52 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/education-department-tells-schools-race-cant-factor-into-student-discipline/2026/08 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/ed-dept-shifts-civil-rights-to-the-justice-dept-what-it-means-for-schools/2026/07 The office for civil rights has already changed dramatically. What more will change in the Justice Dept.? Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:22:08 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/ed-dept-shifts-civil-rights-to-the-justice-dept-what-it-means-for-schools/2026/07 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/education-department-scraps-longstanding-discrimination-rules/2026/07 Districts will no longer be liable for "disparate impact"—in discipline, course access, or CTE programs. Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:41:55 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/education-department-scraps-longstanding-discrimination-rules/2026/07 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/federal-equity-centers-protecting-students-civil-rights-fight-to-stay-open/2026/07 Four centers that support schools' efforts to expand student opportunity are fighting for their existence. Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:37:14 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/federal-equity-centers-protecting-students-civil-rights-fight-to-stay-open/2026/07 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/opinion-the-ed-dept-s-civil-rights-and-special-ed-offices-are-moving-heres-what-that-means/2026/06 Short-term changes are unlikely to be noticeable. Longer term, they may be consequential. Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:17:49 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/opinion-the-ed-dept-s-civil-rights-and-special-ed-offices-are-moving-heres-what-that-means/2026/06 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/opinion-none-of-this-is-abstract-the-real-harm-of-trumps-ed-dept-civil-rights-move/2026/06 Here’s why families will feel it when student civil rights enforcement moves to the Justice Dept. Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:03:50 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/opinion-none-of-this-is-abstract-the-real-harm-of-trumps-ed-dept-civil-rights-move/2026/06 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/trumps-justice-dept-investigates-dozens-of-districts-over-lgbtq-curricula/2026/06 The investigations target how schools discuss sexuality and gender identity and whether parents can opt their children out of lessons. Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:19:22 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/trumps-justice-dept-investigates-dozens-of-districts-over-lgbtq-curricula/2026/06 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/education-department-moves-special-ed-and-civil-rights-to-other-agencies/2026/06 Special education programs help schools serve more than seven million K-12 students with disabilities nationwide. Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:49:39 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/education-department-moves-special-ed-and-civil-rights-to-other-agencies/2026/06 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/lawmakers-grill-superintendents-on-transgender-student-policies/2026/06 The districts' policies around transgender students were repeatedly questioned. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 20:52:08 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/lawmakers-grill-superintendents-on-transgender-student-policies/2026/06 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/opinion-we-shouldnt-have-to-choose-between-federal-overreach-and-abandonment-in-k-12/2026/03 Why is federal power being used to occupy our cities but not protect our students’ civil rights? Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:20:09 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/opinion-we-shouldnt-have-to-choose-between-federal-overreach-and-abandonment-in-k-12/2026/03 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/investigation-finds-shocking-overuse-of-seclusion-and-restraint-in-this-district/2026/02 Restraint and seclusion should not be used in routine school discipline, the Justice Department says. Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:21:31 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/investigation-finds-shocking-overuse-of-seclusion-and-restraint-in-this-district/2026/02 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/ed-dept-paid-civil-rights-staffers-up-to-38-million-as-it-tried-to-lay-them-off/2026/02 A report from Congress' watchdog looks into the Trump Admin.'s efforts to downsize the Education Department. Tue, 03 Feb 2026 22:58:07 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/ed-dept-paid-civil-rights-staffers-up-to-38-million-as-it-tried-to-lay-them-off/2026/02 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/parents-should-continue-to-file-disability-rights-complaints-say-special-ed-advocates/2025/11 Continuing to file them puts pressure on the Ed. Dept. to enforce special ed. laws. Fri, 21 Nov 2025 21:45:49 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/parents-should-continue-to-file-disability-rights-complaints-say-special-ed-advocates/2025/11 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/trumps-ed-dept-slashed-civil-rights-enforcement-how-states-are-responding/2025/11 Could a shift in civil rights enforcement be the next example of "returning education to the states?" Fri, 07 Nov 2025 20:50:48 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/trumps-ed-dept-slashed-civil-rights-enforcement-how-states-are-responding/2025/11 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/ed-dept-tells-more-than-250-civil-rights-staff-theyve-been-laid-off/2025/10 The layoffs come just days after the agency began a new round of staff reductions during the shutdown. Tue, 14 Oct 2025 21:04:08 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/ed-dept-tells-more-than-250-civil-rights-staff-theyve-been-laid-off/2025/10 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/ed-dept-offices-will-be-virtually-wiped-out-in-latest-layoffs/2025/10 The U.S. Department of Education is losing about a fifth of its already diminished workforce. Mon, 13 Oct 2025 22:08:08 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/ed-dept-offices-will-be-virtually-wiped-out-in-latest-layoffs/2025/10 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/appeals-court-says-ed-dept-can-fire-civil-rights-staff/2025/09 Office for civil rights employees had already begun returning to work under a court order Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:48:01 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/appeals-court-says-ed-dept-can-fire-civil-rights-staff/2025/09 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/loan-forgiveness-for-teachers-of-color-is-discriminatory-trump-admin-says/2025/09 The U.S. Department of Justice says the program meant to boost the ranks of minority teachers discriminates against white educators. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 20:22:12 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/loan-forgiveness-for-teachers-of-color-is-discriminatory-trump-admin-says/2025/09 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/trump-canceled-millions-for-special-education-teacher-training-whats-next/2025/09 More than $30 million for teacher training and parent resources will no longer flow as scheduled. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:38:29 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/trump-canceled-millions-for-special-education-teacher-training-whats-next/2025/09 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/how-trump-is-changing-the-federal-governments-role-in-schools/2025/09 When Donald Trump waded into the fight over a high school mascot, it revealed a lot about his true education agenda. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 04:01:00 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/how-trump-is-changing-the-federal-governments-role-in-schools/2025/09 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/some-state-leaders-cheer-as-trumps-ed-dept-investigates-their-schools/2025/08 The use of the office for civil rights for political purposes has been dialed up in the second Trump administration, experts say. Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:57:35 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/some-state-leaders-cheer-as-trumps-ed-dept-investigates-their-schools/2025/08 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/trump-admin-quietly-rescinds-guidance-on-english-learners-rights/2025/08 The 2015 Dear Colleague letter detailed how schools and districts can comply with federal requirements in English-learner education. Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:47:15 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/trump-admin-quietly-rescinds-guidance-on-english-learners-rights/2025/08 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/laid-off-civil-rights-staff-will-return-to-work-next-month-ed-dept-says/2025/08 It’s the first time the agency—which has been under court orders to reinstate staff—has said it will actually bring laid-off employees back. Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:14:34 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/laid-off-civil-rights-staff-will-return-to-work-next-month-ed-dept-says/2025/08 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/ed-dept-hasnt-complied-with-order-to-restore-civil-rights-staff-judge-says/2025/08 The judge also said a high court ruling allowing layoffs at the Education Department shouldn't affect a separate case on agency cutbacks. Wed, 13 Aug 2025 21:25:44 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/ed-dept-hasnt-complied-with-order-to-restore-civil-rights-staff-judge-says/2025/08 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/trump-releases-1-4-billion-he-withheld-from-after-school-programs/2025/07 More than $5 billion for education remains frozen. Fri, 18 Jul 2025 17:19:20 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/trump-releases-1-4-billion-he-withheld-from-after-school-programs/2025/07 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/penny-schwinn-advances-for-full-senate-approval-for-ed-dept-s-no-2-job/2025/06 A U.S. Senate education committee advanced the nominations of Schwinn and Kimberly Richey for a full chamber vote. Fri, 27 Jun 2025 14:44:30 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/penny-schwinn-advances-for-full-senate-approval-for-ed-dept-s-no-2-job/2025/06 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/the-u-s-department-of-energy-is-trying-to-change-a-title-ix-rule-why/2025/06 Proposals from the U.S. Department of Energy show buy-in from across the administration for the president's view of gender identity. Thu, 19 Jun 2025 21:35:19 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/the-u-s-department-of-energy-is-trying-to-change-a-title-ix-rule-why/2025/06 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/court-again-tells-trump-admin-to-restore-laid-off-ed-dept-staffers/2025/06 The judge was ruling in a case that challenged staff cuts and office closures at the Education Department's office for civil rights Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:59:52 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/court-again-tells-trump-admin-to-restore-laid-off-ed-dept-staffers/2025/06