U.S. Department of Education Initiates Investigation into Stanford for Allegedly Discriminating Against Students on the Basis of Race

Today, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened an investigation into Stanford University (Stanford) to determine whether Stanford violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) by discriminating on the basis of race in its operation of a school program.

Stanford's National Board Resource Center (NBRC) has a program that helps future teachers who "identify as a person of color" receive National Board Certifications. The California Teachers Association, a partner in the effort, boasts that the program at Stanford "work[s] to increase diversity among National Board Certified Teachers," citing that the "Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Cohort" provides "selected educators [with] full funding for all certification support services offered by Stanford NBRC."

"Instead of helping students achieve their goals through merit, Stanford appears to be conditioning access to National Board Certification programs based on skin color," said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. "It is unconscionable that an institution which claims to be a pinnacle of educational excellence would deny opportunities based on race. If the allegations are true, Stanford is engaged in discrimination - pure and simple. The Trump Administration will always fight against discrimination to protect Americans' rights under the law. All students, regardless of their skin color, should have an equal opportunity to succeed."

Background

Title VI and its implementing regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in educational programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.