Save Your Six
The California Title VI Equity in Education Initiative (CA-T6EEI)
Codify Title VI Civil Rights Protections in CA Schools
Posted January 29, 2025
Background & Context
What is Title VI?
Title VI is part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and it prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs and activities that receive federal funding.
What is CA-T6EEI?
The California Title VI Equity in Education Initiative aims to strengthen and enhance protections against racial harassment and discrimination for students in California's schools. California has an opportunity to lead by setting a national standard for equity in education. Addressing racial disparities through enhanced state-level protections is essential to safeguarding students’ rights and promoting educational equity. With the state’s progressive policies and robust civil rights framework, CA-T6EEI will reinforce Title VI by advocating for state-level measures that uphold and expand upon these federal protections. The initiative will address the challenges of racial disparities and ensure California remains at the forefront of equity in education.
Immediate Problem
Where does California fall short on Title VI?
1. Systemic Racial Disparities: Many districts struggle with inequitable disciplinary practices, disproportionately suspending or expelling Black and Brown students.
2. Inequitable Access: Marginalized students are often underrepresented in gifted programs and overrepresented in lower-achieving tracks, with limited access to advanced courses and resources.
3. Complaint Process Issues: The Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) can be inconsistent and inaccessible, with delays, lack of transparency, and inadequate resolutions.
4. Insufficient Training: Many districts fail to provide adequate Title VI training for staff, leaving schools ill-equipped to recognize and address racial discrimination effectively.
5. Need for Oversight: Stronger accountability mechanisms and enhanced district support are essential to ensure compliance and protect students' civil rights statewide.
Work & Deliverables
-Assess Title VI legal compliance in California schools
-Provide legal counsel on Title VI protections and enforcement.
-Drafting and Reviewing the Legislation
-Organization's State and Federal Compliance
-Preemptive Defense
-Anticipating and Addressing Legal Challenges
Preparation Phase
- Familiarization with Title VI in Education
- Understand the Initiative, mission, goals, and strategies of CA-T6EEI
- Sign Agreement
- Familiarization with the California Department of Education Uniform Complaint Procedure
Collaboration Phase
- Meet with Save Your Six and other partners to align on the project's needs, legal strategies...
- Research and Documentation: Lawyers should review relevant legal precedents, regulations, and policy
- Help identify and engage legal and advocacy partners for collaborative efforts
- Regularly scheduled calls to check in
Wrap Up
- Confer with supervising attorney to confirm work is complete and to transfer files or information, a
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Save Your Six
Save Your Six was founded in 2017, sparked by the personal experiences of racial discrimination faced by the founders' children in the Sonoma County public school system. This highlighted a systemic failure to protect students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prompting a mission to advocate for the rights of students nationwide. Save Your Six conducts workshops, engages in advocacy, and partners with community groups to raise awareness and educate about the rights against racial discrimination in education. In 2023, Save Your Six was formally recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization, solidifying its foundation to further its mission. Through resilience and determination, Save Your Six aims to transform educational systems to ensure all students can learn in environments free from fear and discrimination.
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Save Your Six
Save Your Six was founded in 2017, sparked by the personal experiences of racial discrimination faced by the founders' children in the Sonoma County public school system. This highlighted a systemic failure to protect students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prompting a mission to advocate for the rights of students nationwide. Save Your Six conducts workshops, engages in advocacy, and partners with community groups to raise awareness and educate about the rights against racial discrimination in education. In 2023, Save Your Six was formally recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization, solidifying its foundation to further its mission. Through resilience and determination, Save Your Six aims to transform educational systems to ensure all students can learn in environments free from fear and discrimination.