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RPS Improves Language Policies for Families

Richmond Public Schools Agrees to Significant Improvements in Policies for Non-English-Speaking Families – Agreement with U.S. Department of Education Resolves Civil Rights Complaint Filed by the Legal Aid Justice Center

As the result of a complaint filed by the Legal Aid Justice Center with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, the Richmond Public School division has agreed to revise and improve its policies to ensure that parents and guardians whose primary language is not English are not discriminated against and have full access to the educational process

The complaint was filed on behalf of a Spanish-speaking parent whose middle school child faced expulsion from Richmond Public Schools (RPS). According to the complaint, although the mother spoke only Spanish, the school division conducted its expulsion process in English only, preventing the mother “from meaningfully participating in the disciplinary process and understanding her rights.”

Resources
Press Release (PDF)

Redacted Complaint (PDF)

Office of Civil Rights Resolution Letter (PDF)


News Coverage
Richmond Public Schools Settles Language-Barrier Complaint (Richmond Times-Dispatch, 8/13/14)

 

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