News Summary
Broward County Public Schools has announced the cancellation of its ‘Latinos in Action’ elective course following a federal ruling that deemed the program unlawful under civil rights law. The U.S. Department of Education’s decision affects around 2,800 students and mandates the course’s cessation due to its exclusivity, which denies access to students of other ethnicities. The district faces the challenge of ensuring compliance while promoting diversity and inclusion in educational offerings.
Broward County, Florida, Announces Cancellation of ‘Latinos in Action’ Course Following Federal Civil Rights Ruling
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) has announced that it will cancel its elective course, Latinos in Action, for the upcoming spring semester after a decision by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) declaring the program unlawful under federal civil rights law. This development impacts approximately 2,800 students enrolled across 44 middle and high schools within the district.
Details of the Ruling and Its Implications
The DOE’s Office for Civil Rights issued a formal letter stating that the Latinos in Action program violates federal civil rights laws by being “explicitly organized around the concept of Latino ethnicity”. According to the department, the course is designed solely for Latino students, thereby excluding students of other racial or ethnic backgrounds such as Black, White, or Asian American students. This exclusivity is viewed as discriminatory under federal law.
The department has mandated that BCPS must cease offering the course within five days of receiving the letter to avoid losing a significant federal funding amounting to approximately $30 million. Failure to comply could jeopardize financial support critical to the district’s educational programs.
Program Goals and District Response
The Latinos in Action program is an elective designed to empower Latino youth, helping them develop leadership skills and prepare for college and career pathways. It operates both as a class and an extracurricular activity, serving students across multiple states, with Florida being among those districts participating.
In response to the federal ruling, BCPS has stated that the program’s curriculum will be phased out and replaced before the start of the spring semester. The district has not confirmed whether related extracurricular activities and clubs will continue after the course’s cancellation.
Reactions and Public Commentary
Reactions to the federal government’s decision have been mixed. Some local officials and community leaders criticized the move. A Pembroke Pines city commissioner highlighted concerns that the federal action was a targeted threat, emphasizing the significance of the program in a county where about 33% of the population is Hispanic.
On the other hand, some school board members expressed concerns about legal compliance. A member of the BCPS School Board who is of Hispanic heritage supported the need for representation but stressed the importance of adhering to all relevant laws. This board member indicated that any program related to specific ethnic groups must be implemented within the bounds of federal and state legislation.
Another school board member described the federal intervention as “extortion” and argued that the $30 million federal grant mentioned has no direct connection to the Latinos in Action curriculum. The district’s chairperson voiced surprise upon receiving the federal notice, noting that they had not been contacted by the DOE beforehand.
Legal and Educational Context
The DOE’s Office for Civil Rights specified that the Latinos in Action program’s structure and quota system constitute a violation of civil rights law by favoring one ethnic group over others. The department warned that such programs must be open to all students regardless of ethnicity to comply with federal regulations.
As a result of the ruling, the district faces the challenge of balancing cultural representation with legal obligations. Officials are working to develop new programs that promote diversity and inclusion in accordance with legal standards.
Broader Educational Impact
The decision impacts only Broward County Public Schools; other Florida districts, such as Miami-Dade County Public Schools, do not have formal partnerships with the Latinos in Action organization. The case highlights ongoing debates regarding how best to foster cultural pride and representation in educational settings while complying with federal nondiscrimination laws.
The federal ruling underscores the need for school districts to design programs that promote ethnic and cultural understanding without restricting participation based on ethnicity, ensuring equitable opportunities for all students.
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HERE Resources
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
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RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
