Resources

Girl with Mask Coloring

CLE Statement on Texas Ruling on School Mask Mandates

CLE applauds Federal District Court Judge Yeakel’s ruling striking down Texas’ Executive Order prohibiting mask mandates in schools. We are thrilled that these Texas students will now be able to safely access their education, and we hope this court decision is a wake-up call to the other states that have implemented similar discriminatory prohibitions.

CLE’s Statement on the Build Back Better Act

As Congress and the White House work to finalize the Build Back Better Act, CLE applauds them for considering the needs of students with disabilities. We strongly them to maintain language in the bill to ensure that the civil rights of these students are protected.

Teacher with a mask on working at a table with young students.

State Leaders Should Reverse State Level Prohibitions Against Local School District Mask Policies Due to Their Impact on Students with Disabilities

In response to state mandates prohibiting local school districts from implementing mask requirements in public K-12 schools, The Center for Learner Equity calls upon state leaders to reverse those decisions and allow districts and local authorities to implement policies that will afford safer, equal access to school for all students, including those with disabilities.

Student in Classroom

CLE’s Statement Supporting Civil Rights Data Collection

The Center for Learner Equity (CLE) is thrilled with Secretary Cardona’s announcement today that the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will collect data via the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) from all public school districts and their schools, two years in a row, for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years.

Several Young Students Running

A Call to Action: With No Updates to OCR Discipline Guidance Since 2014, the Opportunity to Address Inequities for Students with Disabilities is Now

In 2016, the federal government rescinded a 2014 disciplinary guidance package that had served as a much-needed resource to schools and districts across the country, a decision that CLE opposed.

It is now time for the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to issue new comprehensive guidance that advances equity for all students, especially those with disabilities. Guidance should ensure districts and schools stop using harmful exclusionary practices, including suspensions, expulsions, and seclusions, in lieu of individualized supports and services that address and ameliorate the behavioral needs of students with disabilities.