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Jefferson Parish Sued for Racial Discrimination
In a shocking turn of events, the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) has been forced to agree to a comprehensive settlement, ensuring equal access and non-discrimination in schools for all students, regardless of their national origin or immigration status.
According to sources, the agreement was reached after a thorough investigation by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. The probe revealed that JPPSS had been excluding and discouraging students from enrolling based on their citizenship or immigration status.
The terms of the three-year voluntary agreement require JPPSS to revise its enrollment and registration materials and policies to ensure they do not exclude or discourage students from enrolling based on citizenship or immigration status. Additionally, the school district must ensure that parents and students are not asked to produce a social security number, social security card, state-issued identity document or other document that requires proof of citizenship or immigration status in order to enroll or graduate.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels praised the school district for its collaborative efforts in resolving the matter, stating, ‘This agreement will ensure that in Jefferson Parish, the doors to school and to opportunity will be open to all children, regardless of background.’
Assistant Secretary Catherine E. Lhamon added, ‘We applaud Jefferson Parish for ensuring that all students will have access to their public schools and that all parents, regardless of the language they speak, are equipped with the information necessary for their children to fully participate in and benefit from their educational programs.’
The agreement also requires JPPSS to implement a translation and interpretation policy to ensure that Limited English Proficiency (LEP) parents receive essential information in a language they understand. Furthermore, the school district must create a bilingual parent advisory committee to make recommendations regarding the educational program for English language learners, registration and enrollment policies, harassment and bullying, and communications with LEP parents.
The departments will closely monitor the implementation of the agreement to ensure timely and effective implementation and equal opportunity for all students to participate in JPPSS’ educational programs.
On May 8, 2014, the departments released newly-revised guidance documents reminding all school districts of their obligation under federal law to provide equal educational opportunities to all children residing in their districts, regardless of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status or the status of their parents or guardians.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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