News Summary
Broward County Public Schools will terminate the Latinos in Action elective course for the spring semester due to a ruling from the U.S. Department of Education. The course, which was exclusively for Latino students, violated federal civil rights laws, affecting approximately 2,800 students. The DOE warned the district of potential funding loss if they do not comply within five days. The decision has sparked mixed reactions among school board members and community leaders, raising concerns about representation and future programs aimed at specific ethnic groups.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) will discontinue its elective course Latinos in Action for the upcoming spring semester following a ruling from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) that the program violates federal civil rights law. This decision affects approximately 2,800 students enrolled in the course across 44 middle and high schools in the district.
The DOE’s Office for Civil Rights issued a letter indicating that the Latinos in Action course is “designed for and exclusive to Latino students,” rendering it unavailable to Black, white, or Asian American students. As a result, the DOE has warned BCPS to comply with federal civil rights laws within five days or risk losing $30 million in federal funding.
The ruling specifically highlighted that the program operates with criteria that could be interpreted as a quota system, thus violating federal civil rights laws. The Latinos in Action program aims to empower Latino youth and prepare them for college and career opportunities while fostering leadership and community engagement.
In light of this ruling, BCPS has stated that the transition away from the Latinos in Action curriculum will be implemented by the beginning of the spring semester. The district has not yet made a decision regarding the continuation of any related club activities that operate alongside the program.
School board members have expressed mixed reactions to the DOE’s ruling. Adam Cervera, the only Hispanic member of the BCPS School Board, acknowledged the need for proper representation but emphasized the importance of adhering to legal standards. Meanwhile, Dr. Allen Zeman, another school board member, described the federal action as “extortion,” questioning the link between the grant funding and the Latinos in Action program.
Pembroke Pines city commissioner Maria Rodriguez criticized the federal government’s intervention, asserting it represents a targeted approach against Broward Schools and highlighting the program’s importance in a community where 33% of residents identify as Hispanic. Another board member, Rebecca Thompson, raised concerns about how this ruling could affect similar programs designed for specific ethnic groups in the future.
The Latinos in Action program not only serves as an elective course but also operates in various forms as an extracurricular club in 16 states, including multiple districts in Florida. Despite this, Miami-Dade County Public Schools has no affiliation with the program, setting it apart from other districts that continue to endorse it.
The educational impact of canceling Latinos in Action will resonate significantly with the students who have benefited from its offerings. The program has been designed to encourage Latino youth to take active roles in their communities and build critical skills for higher education and professional pathways.
As the district prepares to dismantle this course, the implications of the federal ruling will likely spark further discussions on the balance between cultural representation in education and adherence to civil rights regulations. The BCPS is now faced with the challenge of maintaining community engagement and support while ensuring compliance with federal laws to avoid jeopardizing significant funding for educational initiatives.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Miami: Broward Schools Cancels Latinos in Action Course
- Wikipedia: Civil Rights
- Caribbean National Weekly: Broward Schools to Cancel Latinos in Action Course
- Google Search: Latinos in Action
- NBC Miami: Feds Say Popular School Program for Latinos Discriminates
- Google Scholar: Broward County Public Schools
- Margate Talk: Monarch Latinos in Action Tutors
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education Equity
- NBC Miami: Department of Education Calls Out Latinos in Action
- Google News: Broward Schools Education
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
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