It's been nearly 60 years since Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted, protecting people of color from discrimination or harassment by any federally funded activity or program. While it's terrible, even tragic, that these protections remain necessary even in 2023, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) does its best to ferret out and eradicate systemic racism and other types of discrimination. Its latest finding describes a culture of harassment that led to the horrific treatment of one Black middle-schooler in Ottumwa, IA.

The Story of Ottumwa

The OCR investigated the Ottumwa Community School District and found that harassment based on race was so prevalent, the school in question was deemed a “racially hostile environment.” The investigation stemmed from reports that over the course of two school years, one Black student, in particular, was subjected to repeated name-calling, racist “jokes,” and other harassment and abuse.

The OCR also found that school authorities had been made aware of the hostile environment, but had nevertheless shirked their duty to investigate and to make changes that would render the school environment civil and safe. Nor did the school district take any steps to protect the student in question or to send a message that might prevent future harassment from taking place.

School Should Be a Safe Zone

Parents often have a hard enough time, especially when their children are younger, letting them go out in the world or leaving them when it's time to go to work. This necessary separation is made somewhat easier when the child is enrolled in school—where parents think they can trust teachers and administrators to keep their young charges safe. Schools have a responsibility to do just that, and so it's doubly disappointing when parents put their trust in an educational facility only to learn later that their child has suffered as a direct result of being in school.

Of course, no teacher or other school employee can prevent every instance of name-calling, teasing, bullying, or other hurtful behavior on the part of their students. A little bit of friction is par for the course—and in a way, school helps kids prepare for the slings and arrows of adult life in that regard. All hands on deck at a school, however, should cultivate an environment of respect and civility, and should respond quickly when disrespectful behavior and language begin to take hold. Nor should they refrain from swift action when advised that such behavior might be taking place.

Recourse for Parents

When a school or school district fails to meet the duty it owes to keep children safe from egregious harm, parents have every reason to be upset. And although they might feel powerless, there is recourse that they can pursue. When a child has been the target of bullies—whether on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, or any other factor—and the school doesn't do anything, that school needs to be held accountable.

Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm are dedicated to supporting parents whose kids have been mistreated—both by the individuals that initially created a hostile environment and the authorities that allowed the environment to remain intact. Having represented numerous students who have experienced a variety of abuse and discrimination, Education Attorney Lento understands the unique concerns of their parents.

Call today at 1-888-535-3686 to explain your student's situation and to receive advice about the best next steps. You can also use this convenient contact form to share your story. Get in touch today, and get started on the road to recovery as a family.