Federal reforms to strengthen antidiscrimination protection: amend Title VI, fund enforcement, and issue clarifying guidance¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 review), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The report recommends a set of federal actions to strengthen protection from racial discrimination in education: "Amend Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit disparate impact discrimination and provide a private right of action to enforce it," increase funding to OCR and the Justice Department's Educational Opportunities Section, increase technical assistance and grants to states and districts, and issue OCR guidance clarifying the disparate impact legal standard. These measures target enforcement gaps the report documents in federal law.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Federal legislative and administrative action to amend Title VI and increase enforcement funding

Constraints¶

• The report notes robust nondiscrimination laws alone would not safeguard a civil right to education aimed at protecting capabilities conducive to social participation and well-being

Target Learners¶

• U.S. public schoolchildren, particularly students of color affected by racial discrimination

Target Learning Goals¶

• Nondiscrimination in education
• Equitable educational opportunities

Claims¶

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is limited in ensuring nondiscrimination in public schools for three stated reasons [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• A federal right to education should include three essential protections: foundational opportunities, equitable provision, and a federal forum
• State reforms: comprehensive discrimination prohibitions, constitutional entrenchment, enforcement capacity, and strengthened state rights to education

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Robinson, K. J. (2021). Protecting education as a civil right: Remedying racial discrimination and ensuring a high-quality education. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/407.455