News Summary

Broward County Public Schools will discontinue its Latinos in Action elective course for the spring semester due to a U.S. Department of Education ruling. The course, which served around 2,800 Latino students, was deemed discriminatory for only being available to Latino students. BCPS faces potential loss of $30 million in federal funding unless it complies with the ruling. Local officials have expressed mixed reactions, emphasizing both the need for Latino representation and adherence to civil rights laws.

Broward County, Florida – Cancellation of Latinos in Action Course Due to Federal Ruling

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) will discontinue its Latinos in Action elective course for the upcoming spring semester following a ruling by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE determined that the course violates federal civil rights law due to its exclusive focus on Latino students.

The Latinos in Action program serves approximately 2,800 students across 44 middle and high schools in the district. The elective was designed to empower Latino youth by promoting leadership and readiness for college and careers. However, the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights concluded that the program’s structure is discriminatory, as it is only available to Latino students and excludes Black, white, and Asian American students.

The DOE has issued a warning to BCPS, giving the district five days to comply with the ruling or face the possibility of losing $30 million in federal funding. According to the DOE’s official letter, the Latinos in Action course was explicitly organized around the concept of Latino ethnicity, which brings it into conflict with federal civil rights laws.

Impact on Students and Course Transition

The cancellation of the Latinos in Action course will significantly affect the educational experience of the 2,800 students currently enrolled. BCPS has confirmed that adjustments to the program’s curriculum will be implemented by the start of the spring semester. It remains unclear if related extracurricular club activities will be continued after the cancellation.

The Latinos in Action program is not unique to Broward County; it operates in 16 states across the United States, including various districts in Florida. The initiative has been a means of fostering community leadership among Latino youth through academic and career preparation. However, the federal ruling highlights concerns about similar programs that target specific ethnic groups.

Reactions from Local Officials

Local officials have expressed mixed reactions to the cancellation. Adam Cervera, the only Hispanic member of the BCPS School Board, acknowledged the importance of Latino representation while emphasizing the necessity to adhere to legal requirements. He affirmed the district’s commitment to operate within the guidelines of state and federal legislation.

Pembroke Pines city commissioner Maria Rodriguez criticized the federal government’s actions, viewing them as a targeted threat against Broward Schools. Rodriguez pointed out the demographic details of the county, where 33% of the population is Hispanic, thus indicating a significant need for such programs. On the other hand, School board member Dr. Allen Zeman termed the federal ruling as “extortion,” arguing that the federal funds at stake have no direct association with the Latinos in Action course.

Future Implications and Considerations

The DOE highlighted that the course had a quota system, making it a violation of federal civil rights statutes. This ruling raises broader questions regarding the future of educational programs aimed at specific ethnic groups. Another board member, Rebecca Thompson, has articulated concerns over the effect of this ruling on similar initiatives designed to support minority students.

As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how BCPS will adapt its programming while ensuring compliance with federal laws and meeting the educational needs of its diverse student body. Notably, Miami-Dade County Public Schools does not have an affiliation with Latinos in Action, although other districts across Florida do continue to offer the program.

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Broward County Cancels Latinos in Action Course