The U.S. Department of Education has scrapped decades-old regulations that allowed for legal accountability in cases where statistical data revealed discriminatory practices, even if intentional bias wasn’t proven. The move reverses long-standing policies that held institutions accountable for unintended but systemic disparities in access or treatment. Critics argue the change weakens protections for marginalized groups, while supporters claim it reduces burdensome legal risks for schools and lenders. The decision marks a significant shift in how discrimination claims are addressed under federal education law.


The U.S. Department of Education on Thursday eliminated regulations going back more than 60 years that recognized liability for disparate impact, such as when statistics demonstrate a discriminatory ...