Federal Investigations into Discrimination in Schools

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the Rhode Island Department of Education and Providence Public Schools for potential discriminatory practices against white teachers through a student loan repayment program exclusive to non-white teachers, potentially violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is probing several Fulton County, Georgia, schools for alleged antisemitism, a concern heightened by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict since October 2023, and a related civil rights complaint filed by Jewish advocacy groups. In Washington state, the Lake Washington School District faces a federal investigation over claims of antisemitism, initiated by the nonprofit StandWithUs, citing ignored reports of harassment and antisemitic behavior. These investigations underscore the federal government’s commitment to ensuring compliance with civil rights laws across educational institutions.