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 policies that had allowed federal oversight of practices—such as admissions or hiring—where data showed disproportionate effects on protected groups. Critics argue the change weakens safeguards against systemic bias, while supporters claim it reduces burdensome compliance requirements. The decision marks a significant shift in how civil rights protections are enforced under 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 ...
