What are the stats?
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is intended to prevent racial discrimination in educational settings. However, recent data shows that racial harassment and disparities continue to affect students across the United States. Here’s a look at some critical statistics on Title VI violations.
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Stats on
Racial Harassment in Schools
In the 2020-21 school year
29%
of all students reported harassment or bullying incidents in public schools were based on race
Black students make up
15%
of the K-12 student population but represented 37% of students reporting racial harassment.
Students of two or more races make up
4%
yet these students accounted for 10% of racial harassment reports.
Stats on
Discipline Disparities & Discrimination
Black students were only
15%
of the student population.
they made up
19%
of all students who were secluded
they made up
21%
of all students who were physically restrained
they made up
42%
of all students who were mechanically restrained
Stats on
Access to Advanced Courses & Resources
Highschools with over
75%
Black and Latino enrollment had fewer advanced courses compared to schools with less than 25% Black and Latino students.
In schools,
35%
of high-minority schools offered calculus versus 54% in low-minority schools.
What about CS?
40%
of high-minority schools offered computer science, compared to 54% in low-minority schools.
Protecting Students,
Empowering Schools:
Title VI Advocacy in Action
We can make equity in education a reality for all students by raising awareness, compiling resources, and inciting action to secure their Title VI right, whether we are students, caregivers, or educators. All students should feel safe and welcome in school.
TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964
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Title VI says...
"No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
As soon as they are aware of racial harassment or discrimination a school must...
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act quickly if they know or should know about discrimination or harassment.
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make sure the harassment doesn’t continue and must fix any harmful environment.
Schools cannot retaliate or punish anyone for reporting discrimination or helping with an investigation.
Advocating for Fair Treatment in Schools
Training for Schools:
We work directly with schools to create fairer, more inclusive environments through training on anti-discrimination policies and equity practices.
Pushing for Accountability:
We monitor schools’ policies on discipline and equity, ensuring fair treatment and transparency.
Increasing Access to Educational Opportunities
Resource Equity:
We advocate for access to advanced classes and technology in underserved schools, so every student has the tools they need to succeed.
Community Engagement:
By working with community groups, we raise awareness on Title VI issues, encouraging everyone to stand up for educational fairness.
Empowering Students & Families with Knowledge
Understand Your Rights:
We provide simple, clear information on your rights under Title VI so you know what protections you have.
Help with Reporting Discrimination:
Our team can guide you through filing a complaint, ensuring your concerns are addressed by the school or the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
How Save Your Six Will Help
Save Your Six is a campaign to raise awareness of students’ Title VI rights. The people behind Save Your Six are a group of primarily mothers of color in Northern California who have personal experience with discrimination in their children’s schools and with the Title VI grievance process.
Save Your Six is dedicated to supporting students and families facing discrimination in schools. Here’s how we can make a difference for you:
YOUR TOOLKIT FOR COMBATING RACIAL
HARASSMENT AT SCHOOL
Experiencing racial harassment or discrimination can be a difficult for students and their families. Learn your rights and how to take action.
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Adequately addressing racial harassment and discrimination is crucial for creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. Learn best practices and strategies for your school.
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Protecting students from racial harassment and discrimination is essential. Find resources and advice to support the students in your community.
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AT SCHOOL: WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Discrimination against students that violates their Title VI rights can come in many forms. Regardless of what forms it takes, discrimination has measurable negative effects on students’ education and life outcomes.
Harassment Is Not Your Fault
You have a protected right to feel safe at school. It is the right of all students to be free from discrimination from others—other kids or adults—at school. If you are harassed at school, or if you see someone being harassed, there are steps you can take.
Learn More
What is Harassment?
Under Title VI, harassment is defined as conduct that is 1) severe OR 2) pervasive OR 3) persistent.
Conduct can include more than one or all three of these things. It's illegal under federal law to allow racial harassment at school.
It is important to note several things about Title VI violations
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Discrimination can come from other students, but also teachers, administration, staff, or school resource officers (SROs).
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A school violates a student’s Title VI rights when it fails to appropriately remedy a hostile climate or inequity in treatment due to race, color, or national origin.
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You neither need to be the victim, nor their parent or legal guardian in order to file a Title VI complaint with the Office for Civil Rights on their behalf.
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Students can be discriminated against at any age.
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Discrimination against students based on their religion can be considered a Title VI violation when their religion relates to their ethnic heritage.
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BULLYING
2
Aggressive behavior that is repeated and involves a power imbalance favoring the bully
HARASSMENT
3
The CRDC has found racial disparities in school including
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Seclusion and restraint
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Suspension and expulsion
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References to law enforcement
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Unequal disciplinary actions for similar infractions
DISCIPLINE
4
Repeated and/or unwanted negative acts including:
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Verbal acts and name calling
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Graphic & written statements
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Any physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating conduct
RESOURCES
5
A U.S. GAO study found that Black and Latinx students:
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Continue to experience poverty levels 2-3 times higher than white students
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Attend schools that are racially and economically segregated
OPPORTUNITIES
6
The combination of other forms of discrimination:
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Students of color at an automatic disadvantage from pre-school onwards
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Opportunity gaps continue to increase
NOT BEING AWARE OF TITLE VI | NOT HAVING TITLE VI POLICIES IN PLACE | NOT HAVING A DESIGNATED TITLE VI COORDINATOR
1
INDIVIDUAL INCIDENTS
SYSTEMIC ISSUES
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Federal Oversight &
the Office for Civil Rights
As many of us know, school administration, school district leadership, and even the state can fail to adequately address racial or ethnic harassment, even according to its own policies. When all else fails, students’ Title VI rights in schools are enforced by the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The OCR has 12 branches in Washington D.C., Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. Click below to file a Title VI complaint with the OCR.
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Title VI Investigations:
Search your School.
If you believe your school or school district is violating students’ Title VI rights, the most important thing you can do is document every interaction with the school in writing and make copies. Use these steps. Click below to see if your school is under investigation by the Office for Civil Rights for alleged Title VI violations.
