FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2026

Contact: media@edtrust.org

GAO Findings Highlight the Urgent Need to Protect Federal Civil Rights Enforcement in Education
Statement from Augustus Mays, Vice President for Partnerships & Engagement, EdTrust

WASHINGTON – “Recent Government Accountability Office reporting makes clear the real consequences of the Trump administration’s misguided efforts to weaken the U.S. Department of Education: higher costs, mounting delays, and a diminished ability to enforce civil rights protections for students. As the reporting shows, the Office for Civil Rights has dismissed thousands of civil rights complaints without investigation, while the backlog of unresolved cases continues to grow.

“During Black History Month—when we honor generations who fought to secure equal protection under the law—these findings are a sobering reminder that civil rights progress is neither inevitable nor self-sustaining. The hard-won gains of the past demand vigilant protection in the present.

“Without a fully resourced Office for Civil Rights, students and families are left waiting for justice that may never come, and enforcement of federal civil rights laws is weakened nationwide. Strong OCR capacity and reliable civil rights data are essential to accountability, effective advocacy, and ensuring that every student has access to equitable educational opportunities.”