The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has concluded an investigation into the Fall River Joint Unified School District in California. The investigation focused on whether the district's discipline practices were discriminatory under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, specifically against Native American students compared to white students.
Concerns were raised during OCR's investigation that Native American students were disciplined more frequently and harshly than their white counterparts. This included transfers to alternative schools, which contributed to a persistent overrepresentation of Native American students in disciplinary actions from the school years 2013-14 through 2022-23.
In the school year 2022-23, data revealed that Native American students faced expulsion, transfer to alternative schools, and referrals to law enforcement at rates significantly higher than those for white students. These outcomes occurred even when discipline histories were similar or worse for white students involved in comparable incidents.
The statistics highlighted that while Native American students made up 12% of the district's enrollment in SY 2022-23, they accounted for 22.8% of out-of-school suspensions and over half (52.4%) of those receiving severe disciplinary actions such as expulsions and law enforcement referrals. In contrast, white students represented a larger portion of enrollment at 55.8%, yet only constituted 42.8% of suspensions and just under a quarter (23.8%) with severe consequences.
To address these issues, Fall River Joint Unified School District has agreed to several measures outlined in a resolution agreement with OCR:
1. Establishing a stakeholder equity committee involving Pit River Tribal members.
2. Appointing a director responsible for overseeing discipline practices.
3. Enhancing data collection on student discipline and regularly analyzing it.
4. Revising discipline policies to ensure fair treatment across all student groups.
5. Training staff on updated policies.
6. Conducting surveys to gauge community concerns about discipline.
7. Organizing information sessions for parents and students regarding disciplinary procedures.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon expressed support for the district’s efforts: "I applaud Fall River Joint Unified School District’s commitment today to ensure nondiscrimination in its discipline practices for Native American students."
Further details can be found in the letter of resolution available on the Office for Civil Rights website.
