Resource on Confronting Racial Discrimination in Student Discipline

From the Introduction:

“The U.S. Departments of Education and Justice (Departments) share with educators around the country the goal that all students attend schools where they are supported, safe, and able to access an excellent education. A school environment that is free from discrimination is essential to meeting that goal. Decades of enforcement activity by the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education and the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title IV), have demonstrated that discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in student discipline was, and continues to be, a significant concern. The examples of investigations of racial discrimination in student discipline in this Resource span the current and two most recent presidential administrations, reflecting the continuing urgency of assuring nondiscrimination in student discipline in our nation’s schools as well as continuity in the Departments’ enforcement practices over that time. The Departments are committed to supporting school communities to fulfill Congress’ nondiscrimination guarantee for students in schools. The Departments recognize and appreciate school administrators, teachers, and educational staff across the nation who work to administer student discipline fairly and provide a safe, positive, and nondiscriminatory educational environment for all students and a safe environment for educators.

We share the information in this Resource to support your schools’ efforts to confront the issue of race discrimination in student discipline effectively. The Departments are also available to provide technical assistance to support schools’ efforts to create welcoming, supportive, and safe educational environments for all students.”