The U.S. Department of Education has scrapped decades-old rules that held institutions accountable for discrimination when statistical patterns revealed unequal treatment, even without explicit intent. The move reverses long-standing policies that allowed federal agencies to challenge practices—such as admissions or hiring—where data showed disproportionate harm to protected groups. Critics argue the change weakens protections against systemic bias, while supporters claim it reduces burdensome legal risks for schools and employers. Legal experts warn the decision could reshape how discrimination cases are evaluated under civil rights 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 ...
