DOJ Joins Lawsuit Over Alleged Bias Against White Students in LA

UPDATE: The U.S. Department of Justice has just announced its intention to intervene in a federal lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), alleging systemic discrimination against White students. This urgent development was revealed on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, as the DOJ seeks to address claims that LAUSD’s longstanding Predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian or Other Non-Anglo (PHBAO) desegregation program creates an unfair advantage based on race.

The lawsuit, initiated by the 1776 Project Foundation last month, argues that LAUSD’s policies represent unconstitutional race-based discrimination. The conservative nonprofit contends that the district’s classification of schools as PHBAO disadvantages students based on racial demographics, violating the principle of equal treatment.

In a statement, Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the necessity of equal treatment in education: “Treating Americans equally is not a suggestion — it is a core constitutional guarantee that educational institutions must follow.” Bondi underscored the DOJ’s commitment to uphold these rights for all public-school students in Los Angeles.

LAUSD responded to the intervention by stating that it cannot comment on ongoing litigation but reaffirmed its commitment to providing all students with meaningful access to educational opportunities. The district’s spokesperson noted, “Los Angeles Unified remains firmly committed to ensuring all students have meaningful access to services and enriching educational opportunities.”

The DOJ’s filing contends that LAUSD operates a race-based preference system, classifying schools as PHBAO when at least 70% of their student population fits within the designated racial categories. The filing indicates that nearly 90% of LAUSD’s schools currently fall under this classification, which grants them additional resources and a reduced student-teacher ratio by approximately 5.5 students compared to non-PHBAO schools.

Furthermore, the DOJ’s intervention aims to halt LAUSD from using race-based classifications in funding and admissions processes. If allowed, the federal government would be able to pursue the same relief as the plaintiffs, including a court order against the district’s current practices.

Historically, the PHBAO designation was established during desegregation efforts in the 1960s and ’70s to combat racial isolation. The classification is based on the resident student population and does not include students attending on permits or transfers.

This case is now pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, with the DOJ’s involvement marking a significant escalation in a highly contentious issue affecting students and families in Los Angeles.

As this situation develops, the implications for educational equality and rights in California schools are profound, raising critical questions about race and opportunity in public education. Stay tuned for further updates on this pressing legal battle.