Discrimination Prohibited

Seattle Public Schools shall provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students, and is committed to nondiscrimination in all aspects of the District’s academic, athletic, and activities programs. The District is committed to complying with anti-discrimination laws and prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex; race; ethnicity; creed; religion; color; national origin; age; honorably discharged veteran or military status; sexual orientation; gender expression; gender identity; homelessness; immigration or citizenship status; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; neurodivergence; or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Discriminatory Harassment Prohibited

State law (WAC 392-190-0555) provides that students have a right to be free from discriminatory harassment and provides the standard for determining when these rights have been violated. Harassing conduct prohibited by this policy and state law may include verbal acts and name-calling, graphic and written statements, or other conduct that may be physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating.

When the District receives notice of potential discriminatory harassment, it will take prompt and appropriate action to investigate and, as applicable, take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end the harassment, eliminate the hostile environment, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.

Retaliation Prohibited

Retaliation against any person who makes or is a witness in a discrimination complaint is prohibited and will result in appropriate discipline. The District will take appropriate actions to protect involved persons from retaliation. 

Compliance Officer and Procedures

The Superintendent shall designate one or more staff members to serve as the nondiscrimination compliance officer. The Superintendent is authorized to develop procedures for the nondiscrimination complaint process, implementation of this policy, and as required by law.

Superintendent Procedure:

• 3210SP – Discrimination Complaint Process
• 3240SP – Basic Rules of Seattle Public Schools

Policy Cross References:

• 2015 – Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials
• 2030 – Service Animals in Schools
• 2140 – Advising and School Counseling
• 2150 – Co-curricular Program
• 2151 – Interscholastic Activities
• 3207 – Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying of Students
• 3208 – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited
• 3211 – Gender-Inclusive Schools: Transgender and Gender-Expansive Student Rights and Supports
• 4260 – Use of School Facilities
• 5010 – Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action
• 5011 – Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited
• 5245 – Anti-Retaliation
• 6972 – Nondiscrimination in Participation in Construction Projects

Previous Policies:

• D47.00 – Equal Opportunity for Students
• D50.00 – Acts of Hostility, Defamation or Discrimination

Legal References:

• RCW 28A.300.286 Discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying—Policies and complaint procedures—Posting of model student handbook language
• Chapter 28A.640 RCW Sexual equality
• Chapter 28A.642 RCW Discrimination prohibition
• Chapter 49.60 RCW Discrimination—Human rights commission
• Chapter 392-190 WAC Equal Educational Opportunity—Unlawful Discrimination Prohibited
• WAC 392-190-020 Training—Staff responsibilities—Bias awareness
• 20 U.S.C. § 7905 Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act
• 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12213 Americans with Disabilities Act
• 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681–1688 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• 42 U.S.C. § 2000d, et seq. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• 34 CFR Part 100 Nondiscrimination Under Programs Receiving Federal Assistance Through the Department of Education Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• 34 CFR 104 Nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance
• 34 CFR Part 106 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance

Management Resources:

• WSSDA Policy & Legal News, July 2025, August 2007

Last Board Review:

• October 8, 2025
  

Revisions:

• October 8, 2025
• March 7, 2018

Adopted by the Board:

• April 4, 2012