January 21, 2026
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Conservative Group Sues LAUSD, Says Desegregation Policy Discriminates Against White Students

The 1776 Project Foundation, an offshoot of the 1776 Project PAC, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District challenging a decades‑old policy that gives schools with predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian or other non‑white enrollment smaller class sizes and other benefits as a remedy for segregation. Filed Tuesday, the suit argues the policy violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause by allegedly denying white students equal access to advantages such as 25‑to‑1 student‑teacher ratios, extra points in magnet‑school admissions and more frequent parent‑teacher conferences. The complaint says more than 600 LAUSD schools qualify for the race‑based designation while fewer than 100 do not, and includes a parent‑plaintiff whose children attend a non‑designated school and who alleges they were denied magnet admission because of the policy. LAUSD declined to discuss specifics of the pending litigation but said it remains committed to giving all students meaningful access to services and enrichment. The case lands as Trump administration officials push to dismantle remaining Civil Rights‑era school desegregation orders, while civil‑rights advocates argue those orders—and policies like LAUSD’s—are still necessary to address entrenched racial disparities and ongoing segregation.

DEI and Race K‑12 Education Policy Civil Rights Litigation

📌 Key Facts

  • Plaintiff: 1776 Project Foundation, created by the 1776 Project PAC, filed a federal lawsuit against Los Angeles Unified School District.
  • Challenged policy: LAUSD designates predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian or other non‑white schools for smaller class sizes (25:1 cap), extra magnet‑application points, and more required parent‑teacher conferences, a system rooted in 1970 and 1976 desegregation court orders.
  • Allegations: The suit claims the race‑conscious benefits discriminate against white students and violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, and seeks a permanent injunction on race‑based preferences in LAUSD programs.
  • Scope: The complaint says over 600 schools in the district meet the predominantly non‑white designation, while fewer than 100 do not.
  • District response: LAUSD said it cannot comment on pending litigation but issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to equitable access to educational services and opportunities.

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