For Immediate Release From USDE!
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today announced that it has dismissed 11 complaints related to so-called “book bans.” The complaints alleged that local school districts’ removal of age-inappropriate, s*xually explicit, or obscene materials from their school libraries created a hostile environment for students – a meritless claim premised upon a dubious legal theory. Effective Jan. 24, 2025, OCR has rescinded all department guidance issued under the theory that a school district’s removal of age-inappropriate books from its libraries may violate civil rights laws. OCR is also dismissing six additional pending allegations of book banning and will no longer employ a “book ban coordinator” to investigate local school districts and parents working to protect students from obscene content.
“By dismissing these complaints and eliminating the position and authorities of a so-called ‘book ban coordinator,’ the department is beginning the process of restoring the fundamental rights of parents to direct their children’s education,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. “The department adheres to the deeply rooted American principle that local control over public education best allows parents and teachers alike to assess the educational needs of their children and communities. Parents and school boards have broad discretion to fulfill that important responsibility. These decisions will no longer be second-guessed by the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education.”
On Jan. 20, 2025, incoming OCR leadership initiated a review of alleged “book banning” cases pending at the department. Attorneys quickly confirmed that books are not being “banned,” but that school districts, in consultation with parents and community stakeholders, have established commonsense processes by which to evaluate and remove age-inappropriate materials. Because this is a question of parental and community judgment, not civil rights, OCR has no role in these matters.
Background
In June 2023, then-President Biden announced that he would appoint a “book ban coordinator” within OCR. The coordinator’s responsibilities included developing guidance and training to deter schools from limiting student access to s*xually graphic or racially divisive books by claiming that these efforts may contribute to a hostile environment that may violate students’ civil rights.
Because the prior Administration amplified this false narrative, OCR received 17 complaints alleging that school districts engaged in book banning.
Additionally, incoming Trump Administration OCR attorneys discovered that the first complaint to advance the book ban hoax was filed with OCR on Feb. 23, 2022, against Forsyth County School District in Georgia. The complainant alleged that the district violated Title IX and Title VI by removing eight books from the school library because they contained s*xually explicit content. OCR’s regional Atlanta office sought to dismiss the complaint in full, concluding that the complainant’s allegations failed to state a violation of Title IX or Title VI.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-releas... ********
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Education has taken action to eliminate harmful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including references to them in public-facing communication channels and its associated workforce. These actions are in line with President Trump’s ongoing commitment to end illegal discrimination and wasteful spending across the federal government. They are the first step in reorienting the agency toward prioritizing meaningful learning ahead of divisive ideology in our schools.
Following President Trump’s recent Executive Orders and initial guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Department removed or archived hundreds of guidance documents, reports, and training materials that include mentions of DEI from its outward facing communication channels. The Department also put employees charged with leading DEI initiatives on paid administrative leave. These review efforts will continue as the Department works to end discrimination based on race and the use of harmful race stereotypes, both within the agency and throughout America’s education system.
Notable actions the Department has taken include:
Dissolution of the Department’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, effective immediately;
Background:The Diversity & Inclusion Council was established following Executive Order 13583 under then - President Obama. President Trump has rescinded the Executive Orders that guide the Council and issued a new Executive Order, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” that terminates groups like the Diversity & Inclusion Council. DEI documents issued and related actions taken by the Council have been withdrawn.
Dissolution of the Employee Engagement Diversity Equity Inclusion Accessibility Council (EEDIAC) within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), effective immediately and pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI
Programs and Preferencing”;
Cancellation of ongoing DEI training and service contracts which total over $2.6 million;
Withdrawal of the Department’s Equity Action Plan;
Placement of career Department staff tasked with implementing the previous administration’s DEI initiatives on paid administrative leave; and
Identification for removal of over 200 web pages from the Department’s website that housed DEI resources and encouraged schools and institutions of higher education to promote or endorse harmful ideological programs.
Pursuant to OPM guidance, the Department will continue its comprehensive review of all agency programs and services to identify additional initiatives and working groups that may be advancing a divisive DEI agenda, including programs using coded or imprecise language to disguise their activity. Careful review of all public sites and media channels for DEI language and resources will also continue.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-releas... ********
As communities across southern California face catastrophic wildfires, ED has compiled resources - including those from other federal agencies - for restoring teaching and learning environments:
https://www.ed.gov/ Birth to Grade 12 Education
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https://www.ed.gov/birth-to-grade-12-educa... Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
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https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individ... Comprehensive IDEA Website
ED's Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website brings together IDEA information and resources from the Department and our grantees:
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ State Contacts: Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) / Monitoring & State Improvement Planning Division (MSIP) State Lead, IDEA Part B and Part C:
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View information about the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant competition:
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Posted By: agnes levine
Friday, January 24th 2025 at 5:37PM
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