States Grapple with Enforcement Gap Following Civil Rights Enforcement Changes 

The Trump administration’s decision to close seven of the twelve regional Office for Civil Rights branches under the Education Department as part of a larger effort to decentralize ED’s responsibilities has left many states without the capacity to adequately handle civil rights issues in schools. While some states, such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, Colorado, and Georgia, are attempting to expand enforcement capacity, others continue to direct families to the federal government despite its diminished role. Politico reports that the changes could create uneven protections depending on where students live, while supporters of the efforts argue that states are better positioned to oversee enforcement.