Education Dept recalls OCR attorneys amid backlog
The U.S. Department of Education is temporarily recalling Office for Civil Rights staff it had placed on paid administrative leave after a March reduction‑in‑force was blocked by the courts, instructing them to report to regional offices on Monday, Dec. 15. Press secretary Julie Hartman said the agency will "utilize all employees" while it continues to appeal litigation over the cuts, as a source told NPR OCR now faces about 25,000 pending complaints, including roughly 7,000 open investigations.
📌 Key Facts
- 299 OCR employees were affected by the March RIF; 52 have since left and about 247 remained on paid leave.
- Recall emails were sent Friday; staff were told to report Dec. 15, 2025.
- Union president Rachel Gittleman (AFGE Local 252) criticized the leave policy and cited an unverified $40M taxpayer cost.
- In October, the administration attempted to fire another 137 OCR staffers, who were reinstated in a shutdown deal.
- A department source said OCR has ~25,000 pending complaints, including ~7,000 open investigations.
📊 Relevant Data
The reduction-in-force at the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights is part of President Trump's plan to shut down the department and transfer its responsibilities to other agencies and states.
Trump Administration Announces Steps to Dismantle Education Department — The New York Times
In fiscal year 2023, 42.5% of civil rights complaints received by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights were related to sex-based discrimination under Title IX, 35.5% to disability-based discrimination, and 18% to race-based discrimination.
What are the most common civil rights violations in education? — USAFacts
In 2022, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights received 18,804 complaints, with over 7,300 coming from a single individual.
The Ed. Dept. Received the Most Civil Rights Complaints in History Last Year — Education Week
In 2022, on the NAEP reading assessment for 4th graders, the average score was 241 for Asian students, 227 for White students, 205 for Hispanic students, and 199 for Black students, resulting in a 28-point White-Black gap and a 22-point White-Hispanic gap.
Reading Performance — National Center for Education Statistics
In fall 2023, the racial/ethnic composition of U.S. public school students was approximately 45% White, 29% Hispanic, 15% Black, and 5.5% Asian.
Racial/Ethnic Enrollment in Public Schools — National Center for Education Statistics
In school year 2022–23, approximately 15% of all U.S. public school students ages 3–21 received special education services under IDEA.
Students With Disabilities — National Center for Education Statistics
In school year 2022–23, 17% of Black public school students were served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), compared to 8% of Asian students and 19% of American Indian/Alaska Native students.
Students With Disabilities — National Center for Education Statistics