The U.S. Department of Education has scrapped decades-old rules that held institutions accountable for unintentional discrimination, even when statistical patterns suggested unequal treatment. The move reverses long-standing policies that addressed "disparate impact," a legal concept allowing claims based on discriminatory effects rather than explicit intent. Critics argue the change weakens protections for marginalized groups, while supporters say it reduces burdensome legal risks for schools and programs. The decision marks a significant shift in how federal agencies interpret civil rights enforcement in education.
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 ...
