UNDER INVESTIGATION OCR Complaint: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

On May 3, 2023, Parents Defending Education (PDE) filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education against the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, North Carolina for discrimination on the basis of race in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance in violation of both Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq., and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

PDE makes this complaint as an interested third-party organization with members who are parents of school children throughout the country. PDE and its members oppose discrimination on the basis of race and political indoctrination in America’s schools. The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is offering race-based affinity programming for students that is not open to all. Attached to this complaint is supporting evidence in the form of The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics’ information webpage titled “Step Up to STEM” (Exhibit A) and a Frequently Asked Question webpage detailing additional information about the application process (Exhibit B).

These exhibits reveal the race-based programming is only open to “underrepresented (African American, Hispanic American, and Native American) students” (Ex. B at 2).

Accordingly, we ask that the Department promptly investigate the allegations in this complaint, act swiftly to remedy unlawful policies and practices, and order appropriate relief.

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On June 23, 2023 the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into this complaint. See the letter here.