The News: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has opened an investigation into the Green Bay Area Public School District (GBAPS) for discriminating against a dyslexic student based on his race. OCR is also investigating whether the school district unlawfully delayed the student’s special education evaluation.
WILL filed the complaint with OCR on behalf of Colbey Decker, a mom from Green Bay, Wisconsin, who has a dyslexic son who was denied reading resources because of his race. The GBAPS admitted this practice through its “School Success Plan,” where they explicitly stated that the school will prioritize some racial groups over others. This message was conveyed directly to Mrs. Decker by a school principal during an in-person meeting.
The Quotes: WILL Education Counsel, Cory Brewer, stated, “It is heartbreaking to think that, in America, a school would consider whether to provide services to a disabled student based not on that student’s needs, but on the color his skin. This is not only unlawful—it is an affront to the character of the American people. We appreciate the Department of Education taking this important step today.”
WILL Client, Colbey Decker, stated, “Why was my son treated differently for something completely outside his control—his race? It’s outrageous that this happened at all—yet it did—to my son last year. I’m grateful to the Trump Administration and Department of Education for opening an investigation. I hope it leads to answers and serious reflection by the school district.”
Additional Background: Mrs. Decker’s son was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2022, and she has been seeking support from the school since he enrolled in January 2024. Throughout 2024, Mrs. Decker repeatedly provided documentation and made formal requests for one-on-one reading interventions. In April 2024, her son was placed on a waitlist for reading intervention, albeit for a less intensive program, even though his needs clearly required more support. Learn more about her story here.
After WILL sent a letter to the district in December 2024 asking the school to abandon its discriminatory policy, the school requested a meeting with Mrs. Decker and WILL attorneys. In that meeting, a school official unfairly interrogated her, demanding that she identify specific students who were treated more favorably based on race. Such aggressive questioning was unfair, especially because she only had access to documentation for her son and information about his experience, but not district data.
Mrs. Decker’s complaint comes at a pivotal moment because President Trump just ordered the U.S. Department of Education to direct all “local educational agencies that receive federal funds” to implement “measures and practices” that comply with the Constitution’s demand of colorblind treatment of all students. WILL has issued a report and called on the Trump Administration to investigate claims of race discrimination in K-12 schools, and we hope that this is the first such case they resolve.
Read more here:OCR Notice of Investigation, May 2025Title VI Complaint, January 2025
Read and share the press release online here.
