Rochester Public Schools is facing some tough questions after a federal civil rights complaint accused the district of excluding teachers from opportunities based on race.
Parents Defending Education (PDE), a national advocacy group, filed the complaint last week, claiming the district’s teacher programs violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
“PDE and its members oppose discrimination on the basis of race and political indoctrination in America’s schools. Rochester Public Schools has affinity group programming for some teachers, that is not open to all. The District allows only some teachers to participate in affinity group programming, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities and their participation is based on their race,” the complaint says.
The controversy centers on the district’s “Employees of Color Resource Group” and its “Grow Your Own” program. Both initiatives are designed to support and retain teachers of color, offering benefits like mentorship, scholarships, and career development.
Rochester Public Schools describes its “Grow Your Own” program as an “adult pathway program” reserved for “teachers/individuals of color.”
PDE argues that these programs, partially funded by $136,400 in grants, illegally exclude non-minority educators.
“[T]he additional benefits such as ‘scholarships,’ ‘paid mentorships,’ and pathway career opportunities too confer a benefit on the basis of race that is not offered to all teachers in Rochester Public Schools,” the complaint says.
District responds
Alpha News reached out to Rochester Public Schools to get its perspective on the complaint, asking how the district views the programs, whether any steps are being taken to address or review them, and for a general statement on its policies and compliance with federal law.
“Research has conclusively shown that when a student of color has a teacher of color, it has powerful benefits to their academic achievement and educational experience,” the district said. “We believe the benefits of the diversity of our staff apply to all other positions as well. As a result, our strategic plan seeks to develop and recruit staff from diverse backgrounds and support them once they are employed in our district. We’ve done so in a way consistent with the law and best practices in education and other fields.”
Parents Defending Education calls for federal investigation
PDE has asked the U.S. Department of Education to investigate RPS’s policies, claiming they don’t hold up to legal standards.
“We ask that the Department [of Education] promptly investigate the allegations in this complaint, act swiftly to remedy unlawful policies and practices and order appropriate relief,” the organization says in the complaint.
PDE pointed to a 2015 federal ruling against a race-restricted program in another state, arguing that RPS similarly failed to explore race-neutral alternatives.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
