The U.S. Department of Education has scrapped decades-old regulations that held institutions accountable for unintentional discrimination, even when statistical patterns revealed unequal treatment. The move reverses long-standing policies that addressed "disparate impact," a legal concept allowing claims against practices that appear neutral but disproportionately harm protected groups. Critics argue the change weakens protections for marginalized students, while supporters say it reduces bureaucratic overreach in education. The decision marks a significant shift in how federal agencies interpret civil rights enforcement in schools and universities.
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 ...
