The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) released a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) on Race and School Programming to help schools better navigate lawful programs that promote racially inclusive school communities. The resource “aims to assist our nation’s schools to fulfill Congress’ longstanding promise that no student experience discrimination based on race.” It also includes examples to help schools assess legal obligations concerning curricula and programming. 

An accompanying press release states, “the resource shares with school communities practical guidance about whether and when federal civil rights laws permit – and in some cases require – schools to take actions related to race, as well as whether and when these same laws may require that schools not act based on race.”