Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title VI states, in relevant part:
“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.”
Title VI covers public schools from pre-K through twelfth grade, as well as state educational agencies, charter schools, community colleges, universities, and more. Programs and activities include discipline, classroom assignment, athletic, academic programs, counseling, and more. Title VI requires, among other things, that districts:
- Provide English learner students with appropriate instruction;
- Appropriately address racial harassment;
- Provide language and translation services to limited English proficient parents;
- Discipline in a nondiscriminatory manner.
A collection of resources related to each specific focus area can be found in
OCR’s 2022 Back to School resource*. Title VI also prohibits districts from threatening or retaliating against someone for making a complaint. The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) helps enforce Title VI. OCR also provides policy guidance and other resources to districts and families.
More information about Title VI can be found by visiting the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights website*
*Links to external websites are subject to change.
Contact Information
School districts, public charter schools, education partners, and all other parties who have questions regarding Title VI in an Oregon K-12 public school or public charter school should contact
ODE.CivilRights@ode.oregon.gov or ODE Civil Rights and Title VI Specialist Taylar Lewis (she/her) at
taylar.lewis@ode.oregon.gov or 503-400-5653.