Federal civil rights data holds schools accountable. Under Trump, it's 6 months late
The U.S. Education Department has delayed the release of its Civil Rights Data Collection, which tracks equity and student treatment in public schools. Advocates fear this delay, combined with the administration's plan to move the office to the Department of Justice, signals a shift in how civil rights are prioritized.
Why it matters
Transparency in school data is vital for identifying and addressing systemic inequities in the American education system.
Win McNamee/Getty Images For more than 50 years, the Education Department has revealed a host of realities about how students are being treated in every public school across America: which kids are being bullied, which ones are being harassed and which students can access the internet, among other things. The agency's Civil Rights Data Collection is intended to do just that — help keep schools accountable.
The article focuses on concerns from advocates regarding the current administration's policy shifts and potential downplaying of inequality.
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