I. Policy Guidance
Overview
Below is a list of current policy guidance issued by the Office for Civil Rights. These guidance documents lack the force and effect of law, unless expressly authorized by law or as incorporated into a contract. OCR may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance document that is not posted below, except to establish historical facts. See Executive Order #13891 for more information.
- Office for Civil Rights Issues New Resource to Help Education Institutions Implement the Title IX Final Rule
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a new technical assistance document entitled Questions and Answers Regarding the Department’s Final Title IX Rule. This resource was issued in response to inquiries received by OCR’s Center for Outreach, Prevention, Education, and Nondiscrimination (OPEN Center) and to help institutions understand and meet their obligations under the Final Rule. - OCR’s Enforcement of Title IX in Light of Bostock v. Clayton County, Ga.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a letter of notification and a revised letter of impending enforcement action which, together, illustrate the Department’s approach to Title IX enforcement in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Ga. OCR issued a Revised Letter of Impending Enforcement Action in OCR’s cases against the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC), Glastonbury Public Schools, and five other Connecticut school districts. OCR issued a letter of notification in its case involving Shelby County Schools notifying the parties that OCR will be opening an investigation into the complaint allegations. - Office for Civil Rights Issues New Resource on Schools’ Obligations to Protect the Civil Rights of Students During COVID-19
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a technical assistance document entitled Questions and Answers for Postsecondary Institutions Regarding the COVID-19 National Emergency. This resource was issued in response to inquiries received by the Department and to assist postsecondary institutions with meeting their obligations under Federal civil rights laws—including Title VI, Title IX, Title II, and Section 504—during the COVID-19 outbreak.- Questions & Answers PDF (212.08K) [OCR-000118]
- Office for Civil Rights Publishes New Resource on Accessibility and Distance Learning Options Urging States to Continue Educating Students with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) jointly issued a Supplemental Fact Sheet on Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities. This new resource clarifies that federal law should not be used to prevent schools from offering distance learning opportunities to all students, including students with disabilities and explains that as a school district takes necessary steps to address the health, safety, and well-being of all its students and staff, educators can use distance learning opportunities to serve all students..- Read the Press Release
- Fact Sheet PDF (297K) [OCR-000116]
- Office for Civil Rights Releases New Resource for Postsecondary Institutions on Protecting the Civil Rights of Students During COVID-19
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a Fact Sheet on Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students. This new resource reminds schools to be mindful of the requirements of Section 504, Title II, and Title VI as they respond to evolving conditions related to the coronavirus. The Fact Sheet addresses how schools can implement recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) while ensuring that all students are able to study and learn in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination.- Fact Sheet PDF (385K) [OCR-000115]
- OCR and OCTAE Program Memorandum, Career and Technical Education and Methods of Administration
- Program Memorandum PDF (807K) [OCR-000114]
Updates to Department of Education and Department of Justice Guidance on Title VI
- Updates to Department of Education and Department of Justice Guidance on Title VIThe U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Justice (DOJ) withdraw guidance documents that advocate specific policies and procedures beyond what the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution or Title IV or Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 require. The Dear Colleague Letter reiterates ED’s commitment to the vigorous enforcement of civil rights laws on behalf of all students.
- “Dear Colleague” letter PDF (335K) [OCR-000111]
- Office for Civil Rights Withdraws Title IX Guidance on Transgender Students
- “Dear Colleague” Letter PDF (386.47K) [OCR-00108]
- Office for Civil Rights Releases Resources for Educators on Title VI and Religion
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today released a package of documents to assist schools, colleges, universities, educators, and students understand how Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, enforced by OCR, protects students of any religion from discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, or national origin, including discrimination based on a student’s actual or perceived:- shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, or
- citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity.
The package includes a Know Your Rights document on when discrimination involving students who are or are perceived to belong to a religious group may be discrimination that is prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act; a fact sheet on combatting discrimination against Jewish students; a fact sheet on combatting discrimination against AANHPI/MASSA students; and a Dear Colleague Letter on Title VI and Title IX and Religious Discrimination.
II. How to File a Complaint
How to File a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights
III. Harassment Prevention Resources
