The U.S. Department of Education has scrapped decades-old rules that allowed for legal accountability in cases where statistical patterns reveal discriminatory practices, even if intentional bias could not be proven. The move reverses long-standing policies that held institutions accountable for unintended but unequal outcomes in areas like admissions or hiring. Critics argue the change weakens protections against systemic discrimination, while supporters claim it reduces burdensome legal risks for schools and employers. The decision marks a significant shift in how federal agencies interpret civil rights enforcement 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 ...
