Education Department rescinds disparate impact rule, a key tool used to assess school discrimination

The U.S. Department of Education has rescinded a rule that allowed consideration of school policies disproportionately harming students based on race or national origin unless the discrimination was intentional. This change affects Title VI of the Civil Rights Act enforcement, particularly school discipline practices where Black students are more likely to face punitive measures. Civil rights groups criticized the move, arguing it weakens protections against systemic discrimination.