U.S. Department of Education Asks for Public Comment on 2021-2022 Civil Rights Data Collection
This week, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) submitted a request for public comment on the Civil Rights Data Collection for the 2021-2022 school year. In this year’s collection, the Office of Civil Rights will introduce new data categories pertaining to students’ educational experiences during the pandemic and will continue collecting data on previously recorded categories such as school climate factors, student discipline, and more.
In addition to the new COVID-19 data categories, the collection will also include a revision to the restraint and seclusion definitions, the restoration and expansion of data about preschool students and teachers, and the expansion of gender identity options for student identification.
This is the first time ED will conduct a civil rights data collection in consecutive years, prompted by the need to examine to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify and address educational inequities. Those wishing to submit comments must do so within 60 days.