Trump administration moves civil rights enforcement to DOJ
The Trump administration opens in a new windowannounced this week that it will move some responsibilities of the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Under the new Interagency Agreement (IAA), ED will retain statutory authority over civil rights enforcement of educational institutions, but will leverage DOJ for evaluation, investigation, resolution of complaints and enforcement actions.
Details on how the new IAA will be implemented regarding responsibilities and staffing are forthcoming. While ED emphasizes that this new partnership will not change the complaint process and resolution experience for students and families, the move may indicate a shift in OCR’s posture toward institutions. While ED’s OCR had a long history of focusing on remediation towards resolutions, DOJ’s investigatory units have historically had a more prosecutorial and punitive function. This development could signal a dramatic change in how civil rights are enforced on campuses.
In the same release, ED announced three additional ED IAAs. Under the Student Privacy Partnership, DOJ will take on a new role in enforcing ED’s responsibilities to protect student privacy currently undertaken by ED’s Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO). While ED will continue managing SPPO, as required by statute, DOJ will review complaints, conduct investigations and recommend solutions, including for issues falling under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
The final two IAAs move key functions of ED’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and DOJ.
ICMYI: Gateway to Careers Act reintroduced in the Senate
Last month, Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire), Todd Young (R-Indiana), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) reintroduced the opens in a new window Gateway to Careers Act.
Long endorsed by AACC, the legislation would create a new competitive grant program for state workforce agencies to build and scale career pathway programs. The bill requires grantee states to prioritize community colleges for subgrants and partnerships. Other priorities for career pathway partnerships include serving individuals with barriers to employment or postsecondary education and that incorporate evidence-based practices.
House schedules subcommittee hearing on apprenticeships
Next Wednesday, the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will host a hearing titled “ opens in a new windowWorkforce Rewired: Modern Apprenticeships for a Modern Economy.” Witnesses have not yet been announced. AACC will have more information on the hearing in next week’s update.
DOL/ED grant reminders
- The opens in a new window FY 26 Strengthening Institutions Program competition is open until June 23.
- FY 26 grant competitions for the opens in a new windowBasic Needs Grant Program, the opens in a new windowOpen Textbook Pilot Program, the opens in a new window Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success Program and the opens in a new windowRural Postsecondary and Economic Development Grant Program are open until June 23.
Upcoming AACC events
If you haven’t already, opens in a new window register for AACC’s annual Advocates in Action event in Washington, D.C., September 15-16. Space is limited.