The Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today issued guidance to charter schools regarding federal civil rights laws and regulations that apply equally to all public schools. Included in the Dear Colleague Letter is an overview of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, or national origin); Title IX of the Education Amendments of1972 (prohibiting discrimination based on sex); and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (prohibiting discrimination based on disability).
According to OCR, it is essential that charter school officials and staff be knowledgeable about these federal statutes. These laws extend to all operations of a charter school, including recruiting,admissions, academics, educational services and testing, school climate (including prevention of harassment), disciplinary measures (including suspensions and expulsions), athletics and othernonacademic and extracurricular services and activities, and accessible buildings and technology.
To read the full Dear Colleague Letter, click here: http://www2.ed.gov/about/
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