The U.S. Department of Education has scrapped decades-old rules that held institutions accountable for unintentional discrimination, even when statistical patterns suggested bias. The move reverses long-standing policies that addressed cases where practices—like admissions or hiring criteria—disproportionately affected certain groups, regardless of intent. Critics argue the change weakens protections under civil rights law, while supporters claim it reduces burdensome legal risks for schools and employers. The decision marks a significant shift in how discrimination claims are evaluated under federal education oversight.
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 ...
