Parents Sue California’s Education Department, Claiming Black And Brown Students Are Neglected And Mistreated

In California, parents of Black and Brown students have filed a lawsuit against California education officials, claiming the district’s disciplinary practices disproportionately harm their children.

An advocacy group filed a lawsuit against the state of California for allegedly failing to acknowledge and correct school district policies that allegedly directly target Black and Brown students. The suit claims the district often transfers students to alternative or lower-rank programs. It goes on to say that students of color are punished more harshly, as they represent the largest group of students who are often suspended or sentenced to expulsion.

The group also claims the state is negligent in acknowledging how students of color are mistreated, highlighting how Black and Brown children are not often offered advanced placement or college prep courses.

The group named California’s state superintendent of public instruction, Tony Thurmond, and the California Department of Education as defendants, KTLA reports. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.