Federal Civil Rights Data Delayed by Education Department

Why it matters locally: The delay in federal civil rights data means that Michigan educators, policymakers, and advocacy groups may lack timely information to assess equity and compliance in public schools across the state, potentially hindering efforts to address issues like bullying or disparities in disability services.

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WASHINGTON – The Department of Education has not released its most recent collection of civil rights data, delaying information on various aspects of public schooling. This data, which details issues including bullying, harassment, and disability services, has typically been made public by the agency. The department collects this information from educational institutions nationwide. Researchers, civil rights advocates, and policymakers commonly use these datasets to identify trends and assess compliance with civil rights laws in schools. Historically, the Education Department has published this data. As of now, the latest collection is six months overdue for public release.