US Education Department opens civil rights probe into Portland Public Schools' Center for Black Student Excellence

Advocacy group alleges district discriminates by providing programs exclusively for Black students

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Education has opened a civil rights investigation into Portland Public Schools over allegations the district discriminates against students by providing programs and services exclusively to Black students and their families. The conservative advocacy group Defending Education filed a complaint in December alleging the district's Center for Black Student Excellence violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by allocating academic interventions and support only for Black students, despite other student groups facing similar challenges.

Why it matters

The investigation highlights ongoing debates around equity-focused initiatives in education and whether programs intended to support underserved students could violate civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination. Portland voters approved a $1.2 billion bond measure in 2020 that included funding for the Center for Black Student Excellence, which the district says aims to 'center Blackness' and ensure Black students have access to empowering resources.

The details

The Office for Civil Rights notified Defending Education that it will examine whether the district discriminates against students based on race by providing programs and services only to Black students and families, in violation of Title VI. The complaint alleges the center provides race-exclusive benefits including academic interventions, tutoring, mentorship, mental health resources, food assistance and transportation support specifically for Black students. However, district data shows students of other races face similar or greater academic challenges.

  • The U.S. Department of Education opened the civil rights investigation on February 18, 2026.
  • Defending Education filed the original complaint in December 2025.
  • Portland voters approved a $1.2 billion bond measure in November 2020 that included funding for the Center for Black Student Excellence.
  • The Portland Public Schools board voted to purchase a building for the center on December 2, 2025.

The players

Defending Education

A conservative advocacy group that filed the complaint alleging Portland Public Schools discriminates by providing programs exclusively for Black students.

Linda McMahon

The U.S. Secretary of Education who said "Discrimination disguised as 'equity' is discrimination" in a social media post about the investigation.

Kimberly Richey

The Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education, who stated that "civil rights law — and basic fairness — demand that every student, regardless of race, has equal access to educational programs and support."

Portland Public Schools

The school district in Portland, Oregon that is the subject of the civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Education.

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What they’re saying

“Discrimination disguised as 'equity' is still discrimination.”

— Kimberly Richey, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education (kgw.com)

“Discrimination disguised as 'equity' is discrimination. ED is investigating Portland Public Schools for allegedly allocating tens of millions in academic interventions and support exclusively for black students, despite other student groups face similar academic challenges.”

— Linda McMahon, U.S. Secretary of Education (kgw.com)

What’s next

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights will continue its investigation into whether Portland Public Schools' Center for Black Student Excellence violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by providing programs and services exclusively to Black students.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the ongoing debate around equity-focused initiatives in education and whether programs intended to support underserved students could inadvertently violate civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination. As school districts seek to address longstanding disparities, they must carefully navigate the complex legal and ethical considerations to ensure all students have equal access to educational resources and opportunities.