The Role of Research in Office for Civil Rights Guidance and Policy Documents

• In Event: 34.095 - MTCC Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: 34.095-8 - Ed Law SIG Roundtable: Office for Civil Rights and Policy Research

Abstract

As the agency tasked with enforcing federal civil rights laws in the educational context, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issues policy guidance to help ensure that school districts and universities understand their legal obligations. Educational researchers have produced a large body of policy-relevant research, including civil rights issues. Moreover, researchers have been involved in various activities organized by OCR, including conferences and listening sessions held by the U.S. Department of Education. However, we do not have an empirical understanding of how OCR guidance is informed by research. This study poses the following research questions: How do policymakers (OCR) explicitly use research to inform policy guidance? What are the characteristics of the research that policymakers use?

Authors

• Maria Lewis, The Pennsylvania State University

• Sarah Kern, The Pennsylvania State University