Ranking Member Scott Demands ED Answer Questions Regarding Status of Students’ Civil Rights Investigations
WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) of the Committee of Education and Workforce demanded answers from Secretary McMahon of the Department of Education (ED or the Department) regarding recent reports that the Office for Civil Rights (OCR)’s recent mass layoffs resulted in pending cases being abandoned without adequate caseworkers.
As of January 2025, OCR reported a backlog of over 12,000 cases. Soon thereafter, the Department let go nearly half of OCR’s staff and closed seven out of twelve regional OCR offices that investigate discrimination. Now, students and families pursuing open cases with OCR have reported losing contact with the Office, leaving their cases in limbo.
“The recent reduction in force (RIF) that you implemented cut the investigative staff in the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) nearly in half and closed seven of the twelve regional offices OCR maintained around the country,” wrote Ranking Member Scott. “When this action occurred, I was concerned that OCR, an office already plagued with a large backlog of open cases, would be further stretched to live up to their statutory mandates to enforce education civil rights law.”
In their suit, the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates complain, “the gutting of OCR’s Case staff means that no complainant has a fair shot at accessing an OCR investigation. Anyone who files any claim is unlikely to secure relief from OCR.”
This letter follows attempted oversight actions by Committee Democrats to access key information from the Department of Education on the effect of a reduction in force on the enforcement of civil rights laws in schools. These attempts to gather information were blocked by Committee Republicans.
In accordance with the Committee’s oversight responsibilities, Ranking Member Scott demanded that Secretary McMahon answer questions on OCR’s current pending caseload and the impact of the mass layoffs on students’ civil rights.
Read the full letter here.
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