Ed Dept Investigates Stanford Teacher Cohort for Race Bias

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights announced an investigation on April 29 into Stanford University's National Board Resource Center program, examining whether a cohort initiative discriminates on the basis of race in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs receiving federal funding. The probe focuses on the Black, Indigenous and People of Color Cohort, launched in 2022 by Stanford's Graduate School of Education in partnership with the California Teachers Association and the UCLA National Board Project. The program provides selected teachers with full funding for certification support services, mentorship and access to grants, such as the California National Board Incentive Grant, to pursue National Board Certification, a prestigious credential recognizing accomplished K-12 educators that can lead to higher salaries and promotions.

Eligibility for the cohort required applicants to identify as a person of color, along with other criteria such as being a California Teachers Association member. As of February, this information appeared on Stanford's website,...