Students are dropped off by a school bus in south Seattle, an area with reported coronavirus cases.
Photo: Ted S. Warren/Associated PressThe U.S. Department of Education is urging school officials nationwide to address allegations that Asian students have been discriminated against over fears of the coronavirus, telling them that they are required to address such incidents under civil-rights law.
In a statement to educational leaders, the department’s Office for Civil Rights last week noted an increase in news reports regarding stereotyping, harassment and bullying directed at people believed to be of Asian descent, including students, unfairly tying them to the coronavirus because of its origin in China.
Several school districts have reached out to parents and staff concerning discrimination of Asian students, especially in areas with reported coronavirus cases like Oregon, California and Washington state.
Portland Public Schools, a district in Oregon with nearly 50,000 students, told families and staff in a letter on Feb. 29 of reports that some of the district’s Asian students were targeted and discriminated against in connection to the virus, and said it would not be tolerated.
“We wanted to address it head on,” said Karen Werstein, a spokeswoman at Portland Public Schools.
Other officials in Multnomah County, where the district is located, said that some immigrant communities and communities of color have experienced acts of racism and xenophobia, with some Asian-owned businesses reporting fewer customers in February because of the myths surrounding the virus.
The Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, a Los Angeles-based coalition of organizations focused on civil rights, joined some county officials at a February news conference to denounce racism that they say stems from misinformation and hysteria about the virus.
“Recently, a young person was bullied at his middle school, beaten up and accused of having the coronavirus simply because he was Asian-American,” said Manjusha Kulkarni, executive director of the council, in a statement.
In Los Angeles County, leaders have voiced concerns over claims of discrimination of Asian students.
“Our schools are redoubling their efforts to share the message that bullying and discrimination will not be tolerated,” said Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County superintendent of schools.
The Education Department letter reminded school officials that they are required to investigate possible cases of bias and provide remedies, if needed. School systems that refuse to comply with civil-rights laws can have federal funds terminated or the case referred to the Justice Department.
“These reports are quite troubling and are of particular concern,” said Kenneth L. Marcus, assistant secretary for civil rights, in a statement to education leaders. “Educational institutions should take special care to ensure that all students are able to study and learn in an environment that is healthy, safe, and free from bias or discrimination.”
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