What GAO Found The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the Department of Education (Education) enforces several federal civil rights laws, including laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin; sex; disability; and age. Under most of these laws, OCR's enforcement authority extends to institutions that receive funds from Education, such as state educational agencies, elementary and secondary school systems, and colleges and universities. In March 2025, about half of OCR's 575 staff were placed on paid administrative leave, and seven of OCR's 12 regional
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