Culturally and linguistically diverse families present schools with unique challenges related to eligibility and programming for special education. There has been a dearth in the literature for this population, especially from a legal standpoint. Existing literature has offered scarce information to address the legal rights and responsibilities of…

In FY 2016, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) promoted equity and excellence in education through conducting investigations and monitoring schools under resolution agreements, promoting greater understanding of how OCR interprets and enforces civil rights laws through the release of policy guidance, providing technical assistance and outreach to…

For decades, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has enforced civil rights in our nation's preschool through 12th grade (P-12) and post-secondary schools, which now serve almost 80 million students annually. In Fiscal Year 2015, the OCR promoted excellence in education through conducting investigations and monitoring schools under resolution…

The Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) does the following: (1) Clarifies the relationship between bullying and discriminatory harassment under the civil rights laws enforced by the Department of Education's (ED) Office for Civil Rights (OCR); (2) Explains how student misconduct that falls under an anti-bullying policy also may trigger responsibilities…

In recent years, many state departments of education and local school districts have taken steps to reduce bullying in schools. The U.S. Department of Education (Department) fully supports these efforts. Bullying fosters a climate of fear and disrespect that can seriously impair the physical and psychological health of its victims and create…

This legislative amendment affects Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It provides that any program within an organization receiving federal financial assistance brings the entire organization or institution…

Studies state library agency job application forms from the 50 state libraries to determine whether these agencies comply with state and federal laws regarding fair employment practices. Findings revealed that some states violate EEOC guidelines, especially concerning job application flow data. (CDD)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination by any recipient of federal assistance on the basis of a person's handicap. Discussion centers on claiming protection under Section 504, a court case illustrating affirmative duty, and private right of action and standards for scrutinizing unequal treatment. (AF)

Provides a broad survey of employment discrimination lawsuits brought against libraries under various federal and state statutes. Practical pointers for librarians are drawn from these cases for their use in hiring, firing, and disciplining employees. (EM)

When Congress passed the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, it included Section 504 which forbade discrimination against persons with disabilities by programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, which included virtually every institution of higher education, except the U.S. military academies and a few small religious schools. This was…