Feds investigate Memphis school district over migrant bias
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – The Department of Education says the largest public school district in Tennessee is under a federal civil rights investigation into bias allegations surrounding district officials’ treatment of migrant children from Central America and their parents.
The department’s Office for Civil Rights launched the investigation into “issues affecting English learners” as well as communications from Shelby County Schools officials with the children’s parents.
The investigation comes after a complaint was filed with the department in February alleging that migrant youth fleeing violence in Central America were blocked from going to Memphis high schools.
Attorneys said at least a dozen youth were routed to a now-defunct English program at an adult school because officials contended the teens lacked transcripts or were too old to graduate on time.
Shelby County Schools spokeswoman Natalia Powers declined to comment.
