Broward County, Florida, September 29, 2025
News Summary
Broward County Public Schools has canceled the Latinos in Action leadership course for the spring semester after the U.S. Department of Education deemed it a violation of federal civil rights laws. The program, exclusive to Latino students, faced scrutiny for not providing equitable access to other racial groups. Approximately 2,800 students will be affected by the cancellation, which poses a risk of losing $30 million in federal funding if the district fails to comply. Local officials have expressed concern regarding the negative impact on the community.
Broward County, Florida – Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) has announced the cancellation of its Latinos in Action leadership course for the upcoming spring semester, following a ruling by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) that found the course to be in violation of federal civil rights law. The DOE’s Office for Civil Rights determined that the program is exclusivity designed for and available only to Latino students, thus failing to provide equitable access to students of other races, including Black, white, and Asian American students.
This elective course, offered in 44 middle and high schools within the district, currently enrolls approximately 2,800 students. The DOE has mandated that BCPS comply with its ruling within five days or potentially jeopardize $30 million in federal funding. According to the DOE’s communication, the Latinos in Action program was explicitly organized around the concept of Latino ethnicity and did not cater to a more inclusive educational approach.
The program was designed to empower Latino youth, focusing on leadership, community engagement, and career readiness. While Latinos in Action operates in 16 states and functions within other districts in Florida as both a class and an extracurricular activity, the cancellation at BCPS has raised concerns among local officials and school board members about the educational impact on students enrolled in the course.
Adam Cervera, the only Hispanic member of the BCPS School Board, expressed his commitment to Latino representation but underscored the necessity of adhering to legal requirements set by federal law. The school district has confirmed plans to transition away from the existing Latinos in Action curriculum by the start of the spring semester, although the continuation of related club activities has not yet been determined.
Local politicians have voiced their criticism of the federal ruling. Pembroke Pines city commissioner Maria Rodriguez described the federal government’s actions as a targeted threat to Broward Schools and stressed the importance of the program in a community where approximately 33% of the population identifies as Hispanic. Dr. Allen Zeman, another school board member, characterized the federal directive as “extortion,” arguing that the $30 million federal grant was unrelated to the Latinos in Action program.
Concerns remain regarding the implications of this cancellation for similar programs oriented around specific ethnic groups in the future. School board chair Debbi Hixon noted the unexpected nature of the DOE’s ruling, as BCPS had not received prior communication about the matters at hand. Moreover, Rebecca Thompson, another school board member, raised issues about how this ruling might affect other educational programs that focus on ethnic or racial representation.
Background Context
The Latinos in Action course has been positioned as an essential component of the educational framework aimed at fostering leadership among Latino students. Despite its socio-educational goals, the current ruling circumvents these intentions due to its failure to provide access to a diverse group of students.
As BCPS navigates the implications of this ruling, stakeholders are left to ponder the future of educational programs intended for varied cultural and ethnic groups across the district and how potential changes may influence the landscape of equality in education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Latinos in Action program?
Latinos in Action is an elective course designed to empower Latino youth through leadership development and college and career readiness initiatives.
Why was the program canceled?
The program was canceled after the U.S. Department of Education ruled that it violated federal civil rights law by being exclusive to Latino students and not available to students of other races.
How many students were affected by the cancellation?
Approximately 2,800 students enrolled in the Latinos in Action program will be impacted by the cancellation.
What are the potential consequences of non-compliance with the ruling?
If Broward County Public Schools fails to comply with the DOE’s ruling, it risks losing $30 million in federal funding.
Summary of Key Points
| Key Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Cancellation Reason | Violation of federal civil rights law due to exclusivity to Latino students. |
| Student Enrollment | Approximately 2,800 students enrolled in the program. |
| Federal Funding | Risk of losing $30 million in federal funding for non-compliance. |
| Local Response | Criticism from local officials regarding the impact on the community. |
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Additional Resources
- NBC Miami: Broward Schools Cancels Latinos in Action Course
- Wikipedia: Civil Rights
- Caribbean National Weekly: Broward Schools to Cancel Latinos in Action Course
- Google Search: Latinos in Action
- NBC Miami: Feds Say Popular School Program for Latinos Discriminates
- Google Scholar: Broward County Public Schools
- Margate Talk: Monarch Latinos in Action Tutors
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education Equity
- NBC Miami: Department of Education Calls Out Latinos in Action
- Google News: Broward Schools Education
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