Feds investigating Cobb Schools for alleged discrimination, Atlanta also on the list

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has initiated an investigation into the Cobb County School District for an alleged violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The investigation is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to address the rise in reports of antisemitism, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and other forms of discrimination and harassment in educational institutions since the Israel-Hamas war outbreak on Oct. 7.

The investigation focuses on alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Cobb County School District is one of 23 educational institutions under investigation.

The specific nature of the complaint is not yet disclosed, but the district denies allegations of antisemitism and emphasizes its commitment to a safe and inclusive environment for all students. 

A federal database of such investigations revealed that in addition to Cobb, Atlanta Public Schools is also being investigated for possible discrimination incidents. 

If the Cobb County School District is found to be in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) could take several steps to address the issue. The typical process involves the following stages:

Investigation: The OCR conducts an investigation to determine whether the school district has violated Title VI.

This investigation may include gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing relevant documents.

Compliance Plan: If the OCR finds that the school district is not in compliance with Title VI, it may ask the district to develop and implement a plan to address the violations. This plan would outline specific actions that the district must take to remedy the situation and come into compliance with the law.

Enforcement Action: If the school district fails to implement an effective compliance plan or if the OCR determines that more aggressive action is necessary, the federal government may take enforcement action. This could involve legal proceedings to compel the district to comply with Title VI.

The OCR or the Department of Justice may file a complaint against the district.

It is rare that the federal government has to take a complaint against an educational institution to the enforcement stage as efforts are made to resolve issues through cooperation and the implementation of corrective measures outlined in a compliance plan.

If these measures are not effective or if the violations persist, more stringent actions may be taken to ensure compliance with civil rights laws.