USDE Title VI Compliance Certification
| Date: | April 10, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Subject: | UPDATED: USDE Title VI Compliance Certification |
| Category: | Grant Compliance and Administration |
| Next Steps: | Sign certification and return to TEA by 4/23/25 |
The purpose of this letter is to alert school systems to a notice sent on April 3, 2025, from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights regarding a Reminder of Legal Obligations Undertaken in Exchange for Receiving Federal Financial Assistance and a Request for Certification under Title VI and SFFA v. Harvard.
Update: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is notifying every school system of this Final Agreement correspondence from OCR dated April 9, 2025.
Title VI Compliance Process
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) sent a letter of Title VI Compliance Certification to be signed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and all school systems receiving federal education grant funds and returned to OCR by TEA. The certification letter is attached to this TAA.
The letter reinforces federal non-discrimination policies and existing policies of the state of Texas, including those promulgated under Governor Abbott’s January 31, 2025, Executive Order No. GA-55, banning unlawful discrimination.
What Should I Do Now?
School systems who receive federal funds must sign the certification. To avoid interruption in funds, please sign and return a scanned, PDF copy by April 23, 2025, via email to GCA@tea.texas.gov.
Ongoing Compliance Verification Efforts
TEA is required by federal rules and regulations to monitor compliance with all statutes, rules, regulations, terms, and conditions of federal grant awards. Similarly, TEA reviews complaints of a violation of state law or federal rules via the complaint review and investigations process. If individuals suspect a violation of a non-discrimination statute, they should email ComplaintsManagement@tea.texas.gov.
The general provisions and assurances applicable to all TEA grants are in the process of being updated to include compliance with this requirement and other executive orders and will be effective with all new notice of grant awards (NOGAs) issued by TEA.
Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding the Title VI certification request, please email the Department of Grant Compliance and Administration at GCA@tea.texas.gov.