Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC)

Summary

Since 1968, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has collected civil rights data related to students' access and barriers to educational opportunity from early childhood through grade 12. These data are collected from all public schools and districts, as well as long-term secure justice facilities, charter schools, alternative schools, and special education schools that focus primarily on serving the educational needs of students with disabilities under IDEA or section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Agency	ED, OCR
Data Checkup

Historical Data Availability

No Known Issue

Future Data Availability

Moderate Risk

The Civil Rights Data Collection for the 2023–24 school year from has been delayed by six months as of July 2026.

Data Quality

High Risk

In July 2026, in response to Executive Order 14168, the ICR submission reflects the removal of the nonbinary sex category and retires gender identity-related data elements from the data collection, including data on harassment or bullying based on gender identity and related district policies. The proposal also removes the definition of "nonbinary" and revises definitions related to sex-based harassment.

Statutory Context

Moderate Risk

Section 203(c)(1) of the 1979 Department of Education Organization Act conveys to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights the authority to “collect or coordinate the collection of data necessary to ensure compliance with civil rights laws within the jurisdiction of the Office for Civil Rights.” While the statute authorizes the agency to collect the data, the mandatory nature for schools arises because participation is a binding legal condition of accepting federal financial assistance and complying with underlying statutes like Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504.

Staffing and Funding

High Risk

From FY2024 to FY2026, the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights [lost about 50% of its workforce]. For FY2027, the House Appropriations bill proposed a 10% reduction in funding for the Department of Education.

Policy

High Risk

As of 2026, the Office for Civil Rights is being transitioned out of the Department of Education, with a planned move to the Department of Justice as part of the broader dismantling and reassignment of responsibilities and staff. Moreover, in July 2026, in response to Executive Order 14168, the ICR submission reflects the removal of the nonbinary sex category and retires gender identity-related data elements from the data collection, including data on harassment or bullying based on gender identity and related district policies. The proposal also removes the definition of "nonbinary" and revises definitions related to sex-based harassment.

Last updated: 2026-08-13

Details

Related ICRs
OMB Control Number	1870-0504
Authorizing Statutes	20 USC 3413 (C)(1), 20 USC 3471(a), 20 USC 3472, 20 USC 7913, 20 USC 7914, 20 USC 3412(g), 20 USC 3411

Reference Number	Title	Agency	Status	Request Type
202507-1870-001	Mandatory Civil Rights Data Collection	ED/OCR	Active	Revision of a currently approved collection
202111-1870-001	Mandatory Civil Rights Data Collection	ED/OCR	Active	Revision of a currently approved collection