The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched an investigation into the Green Bay Area Public School District in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
This investigation focuses on a complaint filed by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), alleging that the district discriminated against an elementary school student with dyslexia based on both race and disability.
The complaint accuses the district of prioritizing special education services for students based on racial “priority groups,” which reportedly led to the student being denied appropriate support because he is white.
Investigation Background
The complaint claims that the Green Bay Area Public School District has a policy that assigns racial “priority groups” when distributing educational resources.
According to the complaint, the district prioritizes extra support for First Nations, Black, and Hispanic students.
However, the student with dyslexia, being white, allegedly did not fall into these priority groups. This decision reportedly resulted in the student being denied timely and sufficient reading intervention for his condition.
The student’s mother had raised concerns over several months, requesting that her son be provided the necessary educational support.
However, the principal allegedly responded that the school had to prioritize racial groups that were historically underperforming. He also reportedly mentioned a color-coded spreadsheet being used to track and allocate resources based on race.
Legal Framework
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in any program or activity receiving federal funds, including education programs, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 also protect individuals from discrimination based on disability.
The OCR’s investigation aims to determine whether the Green Bay Area Public School District violated these laws by not offering the necessary educational services based on the student’s needs, rather than racial or disability-related factors.
Response from the U.S. Department of Education
Craig Trainor, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education, expressed strong condemnation of any policy that judges students based on race. He emphasized that educational resources should be allocated based on need, not race.
The investigation, which was welcomed by WILL, aims to ensure the Green Bay Area Public School District upholds equal opportunity laws and does not engage in discrimination against any student, regardless of race or disability.
Cory Brewer, Education Counsel at the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, called the alleged actions by the school “heartbreaking” and contrary to American values.
He also stressed that the organization is committed to ensuring that schools follow anti-discrimination laws and provide equal opportunities for all students.
The ongoing investigation into the Green Bay Area Public School District reflects a growing concern about racial and disability-based discrimination in educational settings.
The issue raised by this case highlights the need for educational institutions to focus on the specific needs of students, rather than making decisions based on race or other discriminatory factors.
As the investigation progresses, it will be crucial to see whether any changes are made to ensure that all students receive the support and resources they need to succeed, regardless of their race or disability status.
