Federal Civil Rights Data Delayed by Education Department

Why it matters locally: The delay in releasing federal civil rights data from the Department of Education means that researchers and policymakers in Alabama will lack current information on bullying, harassment, and disability services in public schools across the state, potentially hindering efforts to identify and address critical issues.

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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.