The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education actively supports the mission of the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education: "to ensure equal access to a high quality education for all students through the vigorous enforcement of civil rights."

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is required by an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education to conduct onsite civil rights compliance reviews annually for at least eleven (11) local education agencies in Missouri that receive federal funds and that offer career and technical education programs. The selection of the local institutions to receive an onsite review is determined by a process approved by the U.S. Department of Education and based on criteria including demographic data relative to students enrolled in career and technical education programs, as well as the date of a previous review, if any. These onsite civil right compliance reviews consist of an on-site visit to the institution and interviews with the superintendent/president, principals, directors, guidance counselors, teachers and students, as well as classroom observation, review of records, policies, and tours of the physical plant and grounds to assess the institution's compliance with federal civil rights statutes.

In 1973, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare was sued for its failure to enforce Title VI in a number of education areas, including vocational education (Adams v. Califano). As a result of this litigation, the Department was directed to enforce civil rights requirements in career and technical education programs through compliance reviews. The Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, and Handicap were issued March 15, 1979. These guidelines explain how civil rights laws and regulations apply to career and technical education and the civil rights responsibilities of recipients of federal financial assistance offering or administering career and technical programs.

• Section 504 Additional Information

  • Any questions regarding Section 504 should be directed to:

    Kansas City Office
    Office for Civil Rights - U.S. Department of Education
    One Petticoat Lane
    1010 Walnut Street, 3rd floor, Suite 320
    Kansas City, MO 64106

    Telephone: 816-268-0550
    FAX: 816-268-0599; TDD: 800-877-8339
    Email: OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov

Applicable Federal Compliance Requirements

U.S. Department of Education regulations implementing:

• Vocational Education Programs Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex and Handicap (Guidelines), 34 CFR Part 100 Appendix B:  These guidelines explain the civil rights responsibilities of recipients of Federal funds offering or administering vocational education programs

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), 34 CFR Part 100:  The Civil rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination and denial of services on the basis of race, color, and national origin in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.  The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare issued regulations implementing Title VI in 1965.
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 34 CFR Part 106:  The Education amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex/gender  in education programs receiving or benefiting from federal financial assistance.  The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare issued regulations implementing Title IX in 1975.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), 34 CFR Part 104:  The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.  The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare issued regulations implementing Section 504 in 1977. 

U.S. Department of Justice regulations implementing:

• Americans with Disabilities Act   The Americans with Disabilities Act of 2010 (ADA) prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. It also mandates the establishment of TDD/telephone relay services.