Nondiscrimination Law & Policy

Preventing & Addressing Discrimination in Student Discipline

Guidelines for implementing Washington's Equal Educational Opportunity Laws: Chapters 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW and Chapter 392-190 WAC

Published October 2019

These guidelines describe how school districts can meet their obligations under state law to administer student discipline without discrimination. These guidelines constitute OSPI's interpretation of the law and are provided to support school districts' understanding of their obligations under these laws. Schools should consider these guidelines when developing, assessing, and revising discipline policies, procedures, and practices. Schools should also carefully review the guidelines when investigating and responding to complaints alleging discrimination in student discipline.

Prohibiting Discrimination in Washington Public Schools

Guidelines for school districts to implement Chapters 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW and Chapter 392-190 WAC

Published February 2012

In 2010, a new state law (HB 3026) was passed prohibiting discrimination in Washington public schools based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. These guidelines constitute OSPI's interpretation of the law and are provided to support school districts' understanding of their obligations under these laws.

Note: These guidelines are currently under revision and may not reflect OSPI's revised rules for chapter 392-190 WAC (effective December 19, 2014), which supersede these guidelines where different.
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Discrimination & Protected Classes

Discrimination is the unfair or unequal treatment of a person or a group because they are part of a defined group, known as a protected class. Discrimination can also occur when a school's policy is neutral on its face and is administered in an evenhanded manner but has a disparate impact—i.e., a disproportionate and unjustified effect—on students of a particular protected class.

Protected class refers to a group of people who share common characteristics, and who are protected from discrimination and harassment under federal and state laws. In Washington, discrimination based on these protected classes is prohibited.

  • Sex
  • Race and color
  • Ethnicity
  • Religion and creed
  • National origin
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender identity, gender expression
  • Homelessness
  • Immigration or citizenship status
  • Neurodivergence
  • Disability and the use of a trained dog guide or service animal
  • Honorably discharged veteran or military status

Nondiscrimination Laws, by Protected Class

Age

Federal Law

Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (34 C.F.R. Part 110)

Washington State Law

Chapter 49.60 RCW — Washington Law Against Discrimination.

Note: OSPI does not have authority to enforce this law—complaints can be made to the Human Rights Commission.

Disability

Federal Law

Washington State Law

Chapter 28A.642 RCW | Chapter 392-190 WAC — Equal Educational Opportunity Law Chapter 49.60 RCW — Washington Law Against Discrimination

For more information and resources:

Gender Identity and Gender Expression

Federal Law

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (34 C.F.R. Part 106). Note: Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex and sex-stereotyping, such as discrimination based on a person’s failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity and femininity.

Washington State Law

Chapter 28A.642 RCW | Chapter 392-190 WAC — Equal Educational Opportunity Law
Chapter 49.60 RCW — Washington Law Against Discrimination

For more information and resources:

National Origin

These laws also protect students and families with limited-English proficiency.

Federal Law

Washington State Law

For more information and resources:

Race and Color

Federal Law

Washington State Law

Religion and Creed

Federal Law

Washington State Law

For more information and resources:

Sex

Federal Law

Washington State Law

Sexual Orientation

Federal Law

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (34 C.F.R. Part 106). Note: Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex and sex-stereotyping, such as discrimination based on a person’s failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity and femininity.

Washington State Law

Veteran or Military Status

Washington State Law