Welcome to the Office for Civil Rights
OCR’s mission is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence through vigorous enforcement of civil rights in our nation’s schools.
OCR enforces Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal funds from ED.
The ability of individuals to oppose discriminatory practices is critical to ensuring equal educational opportunities.
Learn more about where to file at civil rights complaint and our process once the complaint is filed.
Find data on key education and civil rights issues in our schools.
As a public service, OCR publishes this list of elementary-secondary and post-secondary institutions that are currently under investigation.
View resolution documents covering all aspects of the laws OCR enforces.
Below are Frequently Asked Questions on OCR's work, including information related to our areas of enforcement and the Civil Rights Data Collection.
From questions about our complaint process to an index of select topics start your search for answers about civil rights and education here.
Below please find answers to FAQ about OCR's complaint process. For more information please visit our Case Processing Manual.
Below are Frequently Asked Questions on Race, Color, or National Origin Discrimination.
Below are Frequently Asked Questions on Disability Discrimination.
Below are Frequently Asked Questions on Age Discrimination.
Learn what disability-related Federal laws OCR enforces.
Below are Frequently Asked Questions on Sex Discrimination.
Documents posted in this reading room were published in the Federal Register or were otherwise made available to the public.
Policy and legal interpretations announced in these materials may have been superseded or modified by federal court decisions or by later interpretations of the legal requirements involved. Placement of the document in the reading room does not reflect its importance relative to other OCR documents or to court decisions. The list of OCR documents currently available is not all-inclusive.
The News page is home to new or revised publications released by OCR, as well as any recent items of interest, such as press releases and fact sheets.
Documents posted in this reading room were published in the Federal Register or were otherwise made available to the public.
Read our blog for updates and new information about the work OCR does to protect students.
Find reports that summarize OCR's policies and enforcement activities as well as information about how the office accomplishes our objectives.
See recent publications, case resolutions, and technical assistance provided by OCR
Learn more about how OCR spends the funding requested for our operation.
These reports summarize OCR’s policy and enforcement activities for the applicable fiscal years.
See reports of correspondence and testimony received by OCR.
Correspondence on a variety of topics important to OCR including students at risk for self-harm and Title IX.
View testimony before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and other related boards.
Read correspondence between federal entities about topics related to civil rights and civil rights violations.
View interactions between OCR staff members and member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Find out who to contact at OCR.
OCR has office throughout the U.S. Find the office closest to you.
Read recent updates to policies and regulations.
OCR regularly issues guidance materials to assist schools in complying with federal civil rights laws.
These reports summarize OCR’s policy and enforcement activities for the applicable fiscal years.
Our Locations
The OCR National Headquarters is located at:
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Telephone: 800-421-3481
FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR@ed.gov
To locate the enforcement office serving your area select the state or territory where you live visit https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr.
