Dear Colleague Letter: Charter Schools

On May 14, 2014, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released new guidance confirming that the same federal civil rights laws that apply to other public schools apply equally to public charter schools.

The new guidance highlights critical subjects that have arisen in charter schools, including the schools’ obligations to avoid discrimination in admissions practices and the administration of discipline; to provide a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities; and to take affirmative steps to assist English learners. The guidance also points to other OCR publications regarding additional civil rights principles that are equally applicable to charter schools.

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201405-charter.pdf