The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched an investigation into Portland Public Schools (PPS) in Oregon regarding its Center for Black Student Excellence (CBSE). The inquiry concerns whether the program violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded education programs.
The investigation follows a complaint stating that a recent $1.2 billion bond measure includes funding for academic interventions, support services, and facilities intended exclusively for Black students. The complaint notes that other student groups within PPS face similar or even greater challenges but are not included in these targeted supports.
CBSE’s stated mission is to “center Blackness unapologetically” by providing year-round academic help in math and literacy, tutoring, food assistance, and transportation specifically for Black students. However, district data from 2021–2022 indicates low reading proficiency rates across several groups: only 17% of Black students met third-grade reading standards, while Native American and Pacific Islander students had similar outcomes at 17.6% and 16.7%, respectively. High school graduation rates also varied; 79.4% of Black students graduated compared to 61.5% of Native American students and 73.7% of Latinx students during the same period.
Despite these disparities among different racial groups, the PPS school board declined a proposal to allocate $40 million toward establishing a Native Student Success Center.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey commented on the matter: “Civil rights law—and basic fairness—demand that every student, regardless of race, has equal access to educational programs and support. Although students of many races are falling behind, PPS is reserving academic interventions and essential resources exclusively for Black students. Discrimination disguised as 'equity' is still discrimination,” said Richey. “OCR is committed to vigorously enforcing Title VI to ensure that excellence—not exclusion—defines schools so every child has an opportunity to succeed.”
Title VI remains a key federal statute ensuring all students have equal access to educational opportunities without discrimination.
