Parent Advocates Sue Department of Education Over Civil Rights Cuts

This morning, two parents and a national disability advocacy organization, the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), sued the U.S. Department of Education to stop the termination of civil rights investigators and lawyers at the Office for Civil Rights. The lawsuit points to a lack of capacity to effectively process complaints, specifically from COPAA members who represent children with disabilities. The complaint states, “Without even minimally adequate staffing, OCR cannot fulfill its mandate and move complaint investigation and processing forward. OCR has abdicated its responsibility to enforce civil rights protections, leaving students who should be able to trust and rely on their government to protect and defend their rights to instead endure discriminatory and unsafe learning environments without recourse.”

To view the complaint, go here.