This is a call for your support.
For more than 60 years, Equity Assistance Centers (EACs) have closely partnered with schools,
districts, and state education agencies to strengthen civil rights practices, build local capacity,
and help create equal educational opportunity for all students. The Center for Education Equity (CEE)
at MAEC currently operates two of four regional EACs.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has proposed rescinding 34 CFR Part 270, the regulations
governing the EAC program. This proposal would dismantle the EAC program and fundamentally change
how schools and districts receive civil rights technical assistance. The proposal is open for public
comment until July 27, 2026.
Please submit a public comment about this proposed rule by July 27, 2026.
Why does this matter?
EACs do more than provide information or cookie-cutter technical assistance. They become true
partners to schools, districts, and SEAs, helping education leaders address civil rights challenges
and create environments where all students can thrive. This work depends on trust, sustained
partnerships, and a deep understanding of educational practice.
ED offers no assurance that the relationships, regional expertise, or capacity that have defined
the EAC program for more than six decades will be preserved. Without that infrastructure, schools
and districts could lose access to the support they need to meet their civil rights responsibilities.
The nation’s most vulnerable students will be at greater risk of experiencing discrimination,
unequal educational opportunities, and diminished access to the protections guaranteed under
federal civil rights law.
Why should I submit a comment?
Public comments do make a difference. Every substantive comment becomes part of the official
record and must be considered before the rule is finalized.
If you’ve worked with an EAC before, such as the Center for Education Equity’s Region I or
Region III centers, or any of the other EACs, your experience is especially valuable. Your personal testimony provides evidence that policymakers won’t get anywhere else.
How do I write a strong comment?
The strongest comments are specific and based on personal experience. You can use the outline
below to help organize your thoughts.
Introduce yourself.
Share a sentence or two about who you are. Examples include:
“I am writing as…”, “I am a…”, or “I work as…”
State why you are writing.
Briefly explain that you are writing in response to the proposed rescission of 34 CFR Part 270
and whether you support or oppose the proposal.
Share your perspective.
Choose one or more questions that are relevant to your experience.
If you have worked with an EAC:
- How has the EAC program supported your school, district, SEA, or organization?
- What did you gain from that partnership?
- How did the support help improve your policies, practices, or capacity?
If you have not worked directly with an EAC:
- What would schools, staff, families, or students lose if this support were no longer available?
- Why is specialized civil rights technical assistance still important today?
Close your comment.
Summarize your perspective in one or two sentences and restate your opinion about the proposed rescission.
How do I submit a comment?
Go to Regulations.gov and search for docket ED-2026-OESE-0958, “Proposed Rescission of the Equity Assistance Center Program Regulations.”
Click the blue Comment button.
Write your comment on the page. You can choose to comment as an individual, an organization,
or anonymously. If you choose to identify as Anonymous, your comment will not be displayed publicly.
That’s it!
All comments must be submitted by July 27, 2026.
