|
A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download
and PRINTING. |
|
ACTION REQUIRED DATE: October 1, 2008 TO: THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED SUBJECT: Notice of Required Annual Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U. S. Department of Education requires that local education agencies (LEA) provide vocational (otherwise known and referred to as career and technical education, or CTE) programs, services, and activities in accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Requirements for the notice are found in the document, Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, and Handicap in Vocational Education Programs, a link to the full text of which can be found at the Program Monitoring and Interventions (PMI) Division website at: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/pmi/ctemon/ . The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has regulatory responsibilities for CTE programs in Texas public secondary schools and is required to adopt a civil rights compliance program to identify, remedy, and/or prevent discrimination in the CTE programs operated by LEAs. One important requirement of the OCR Guidelines, found in Section IV - O under Public Notification, is that, prior to the beginning of each school year, every LEA providing CTE programs must advise students, parents, employees, and the general public that all career and technical education opportunities will be offered without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. Local newspapers or other media that reach the general public must be utilized to disseminate the required notification. Due to the recent crisis declaration related to hurricane activities in the state, the deadline for public notification for the 2008-2009 school year has been extended to October 31, 2008. A copy of Section IV – O of the OCR Guidelines, along with English and Spanish versions of sample public notification forms that include all required elements for complying with civil rights laws as they relate to CTE programs, may be downloaded at the website address noted above. Please note, however, that the guidelines state that if the LEA “contains a community of national minority persons with limited English language skills, public notification materials must be disseminated to that community in its language and must state that recipients will take steps to assure that the lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in vocational education programs.” If your LEA contains communities of persons who speak languages other than English or Spanish, it also will be necessary for the LEA to prepare and disseminate the required notice in those languages. TEA staff will provide support to LEAs in complying with the requirement to eliminate discrimination in CTE programs. If additional information is needed, please contact Jan Clay or Ted Kerr in the Division of Program Monitoring and Interventions, Texas Education Agency, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701-1494, or call (512) 463-5226. Sincerely, Laura Taylor  |
