The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced today that the Rapid City Area Schools district in South Dakota has entered into a resolution agreement to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 regarding school discipline and advanced learning programs.
OCR's investigation highlighted concerns that Native American students were treated differently compared to white students at various stages of the district's discipline process and in access to advanced learning programs. The review found evidence indicating that Native American students faced more frequent and harsher disciplinary actions than similarly situated white students. Additionally, it revealed discrimination against Native American students in terms of access, referral, identification, and selection for advanced learning programs, including honors courses and Advanced Placement courses.
To address these issues, the district has committed to several actions:
- Examining the root causes of possible discrimination in its discipline and advanced learning programs and implementing corrective action plans.
- Employing a discipline equity supervisor with expertise in nondiscriminatory practices to help implement the corrective action plan.
- Hiring an advanced learning coordinator to address the underrepresentation of Native American students in advanced learning programs.
- Establishing a standing committee primarily consisting of Native American community members to inform implementation plans.
- Revising its discipline and truancy policies, including those involving law enforcement.
- Updating its advanced learning policies and procedures.
- Regularly analyzing student discipline, truancy data, and advanced learning data to identify potential areas of discrimination.
- Providing staff training on revised policies and practices.
- Reporting disaggregated discipline and advanced learning data.
“Through this agreement, Rapid City Area School district has committed to take actions to ensure nondiscrimination for Native American students,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon. “OCR looks forward to working with the Rapid City Area School district to improve equal learning opportunities for all its students.”
The letter to Rapid City Area Schools district and resolution agreement are available on the OCR website.
