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The American education system is built on the principle of equal educational opportunity. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) established the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) to monitor and address disparities that stand in the way of this principle.
Since 1968, the CRDC has gathered crucial data on education and civil rights issues, providing a long-term perspective on ensuring fair access to learning for all students. The ED’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) administers this important data collection effort.
Who Must Report to the CRDC?
Participation in the CRDC is mandatory for educational institutions that receive federal funding from the Department of Education, including:
- All public school districts across the 50 states
- The District of Columbia
- The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
This requirement extends to every public school within these participating districts, ensuring data is collected directly from institutions serving students.
Types of Schools Required to Report
Beyond traditional public schools, these specific institutions must also report:
Charter Schools
Publicly funded schools operating with autonomy under a charter must report to the CRDC. Their inclusion ensures civil rights data is captured from this growing educational sector.
Long-term Secure Justice Facilities
Educational programs in juvenile justice facilities must report, recognizing that equal educational opportunity applies to all young people regardless of circumstances.
Alternative Schools
Public alternative schools serving students with unique educational needs must participate in the CRDC to track experiences and potential disparities faced by students in these settings.
Special Education Schools
Public schools primarily serving students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act must report, emphasizing the CRDC’s focus on ensuring the rights of students with disabilities.
This comprehensive mandate covers all levels of public schooling, from early childhood programs through twelfth grade.
Reporting Schedule
The CRDC follows a biennial schedule, with data collection every other school year. Recent and upcoming cycles include:
- 2021-22 CRDC (completed)
- 2023-24 CRDC (submission period: December 9, 2024 – April 7, 2025)
- Proposed future collections for 2025-26 and 2027-28
The data collection process involves three distinct phases:
Pre-collection Phase (Summer/Fall)
- Updating contact details
- Verifying school lists
- Reviewing data elements
- Preparing for the survey
Collection Phase (Winter/Spring)
- Reviewing and submitting data
- File uploads or manual entry
- Addressing identified errors
Post-collection Phase (Spring/Summer)
- Resolving any remaining data quality issues
- Ensuring accuracy and reliability
Purpose and Importance of the CRDC
The CRDC gathers information on student enrollment, access to educational programs and services, and school climate factors. Most data is disaggregated by key civil rights categories:
- Race or ethnicity
- Sex
- English learner status
- Disability
This detailed breakdown allows for identification of specific disparities affecting particular student groups.
How CRDC Data Is Used
The data serves multiple important functions:
- Helps OCR enforce federal civil rights laws in education
- Identifies barriers preventing equal access to educational opportunities
- Informs other ED offices, federal agencies, and policymakers
- Helps researchers study educational trends and outcomes
- Enables educators to understand their student populations and improve equity
- Promotes transparency for parents and the public
- Provides information for state and local education report cards
CRDC Data in Action
CRDC data has revealed significant educational inequities:
Access to Advanced Courses
The 2021-22 CRDC showed that while Black students comprised 15% of K-12 enrollment, they represented only 12% of students in calculus courses. Fewer than half of U.S. high schools offer calculus, and Black students are less likely to attend schools that provide this crucial course.
Discipline Disparities
Black students were disproportionately represented in school-related arrests (33%) and cases of corporal punishment (20%), suggesting a need to examine disciplinary practices and their disparate impact.
Students with Disabilities
CRDC data identified underrepresentation of students with disabilities in gifted programs and advanced coursework, raising concerns about potential biases in testing and placement processes.
Teacher Equity
Black, Latino, American Indian, and Native Alaskan students were more likely to attend schools with higher concentrations of first-year teachers compared to white peers.
Salary Disparities
Nearly one in four districts with multiple high schools reported teacher salary gaps exceeding $5,000 between schools with the highest and lowest Black and Latino student enrollments.
Teacher Certification
Black students were found to be more than four times as likely, and Latino students twice as likely, as white peers to attend schools where over 20% of teachers had not met all state certification requirements.
Early Discipline Patterns
CRDC data consistently shows Black students are suspended and expelled at three times the rate of white students, with disparities beginning as early as preschool.
Resources for Reporters
The CRDC provides extensive support for participating schools and districts through the CRDC Resource Center:
Forms and Specifications
Guidance Materials
Phase-Specific Resources
- Pre-Collection Resources
- Collection Resources
- Post-Collection Resources
- CRDC BRSI User Guide for LEAs and Schools
The Impact of CRDC
The Civil Rights Data Collection plays a critical role in pursuing equal educational opportunities for all students in the United States. The mandatory participation of all eligible public school districts ensures a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape nationwide.
The data informs policy decisions, guides interventions, and promotes accountability at every level of the education system, contributing significantly to fostering a more equitable educational environment.
Educational Inequities Revealed by CRDC Data
| Area | Key Finding |
|---|---|
| Advanced Mathematics | Black students (15% of enrollment) constitute only 12% of calculus enrollment; less than 50% of U.S. high schools offer calculus |
| School Discipline | Black students account for 33% of school-related arrests and 20% of corporal punishment cases |
| Teacher Experience | Black, Latino, American Indian, and Native Alaskan students more likely to have first-year teachers |
| Teacher Certification | Black students four times more likely, Latino students twice as likely to have uncertified teachers |
| Preschool Discipline | Black children represent 18% of preschool enrollment but a significantly higher percentage of suspensions |
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