Enforce Vital Nondiscrimination Rights in School Discipline

On behalf of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 230 national organizations to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States, and the 39 undersigned organizations, we strongly urge you to update and publish school discipline guidance under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to clarify all students’ right to be free from racial discrimination. While we are truly grateful for the release earlier this year of guidance clarifying schools’ obligations not to discriminate in school discipline on the basis of disability consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), for students of color with and without disabilities, the Title VI guidance is a critical missing piece of their civil rights protections.1 Leadership and action from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) can — and must — enforce civil rights laws, meaningfully respond to racial discrimination in school discipline, and advance policies that create real safety for communities. Every child deserves a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment where they have the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.