Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights Launches Civil Rights Compliance Center

Last week, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the launch of the Outreach, Prevention, Education and Non-discrimination (OPEN) Center within the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

The OPEN Center will “focus on proactive compliance with federal civil rights laws and will provide assistance and support to schools, educators, families, and students to ensure better awareness of the requirements and protections of federal non-discrimination laws.” The mission of OCR is “to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.”

The Secretary also announced that the OPEN Center will be staffed by OCR civil rights attorneys under the leadership of Acting Director, Christian Corrigan. OPEN Center inquiries can be sent to OPEN@ed.gov.

Read the announcement here.