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Civil Rights

It is a policy of the State Board of Education and a priority of the Oregon Department of Education that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of age, disability, national origin, race, color, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity in any educational programs, activities or employment. 

ODE works closely with the regional U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Civil Rights, and other organizations committed to equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and respectful environments.

The ODE offers training, technical assistance, and alternate dispute resolution opportunities for students, schools, districts, parents, and interested parties regarding civil rights and equal opportunity. For information on training, assistance, or dispute resolution, persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact:

For issues related to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status, contact:

Kate Hildebrandt (she/her)
Title IX and Civil Rights Specialist
Office of the Director
Phone 503-551-5713

For issues related to race, color, national origin, age, or religion, contact:

Taylar Lewis
Civil Rights Specialist
Office of the Director
Phone: 503-400-5653

For issues related to disability or Section 504, contact:

Marinda Peters, Ph.D. (she/her)
Section 504 and Civil Rights Specialist
Office of the Director
Phone: 971-208-0460

For issued relating to Section 504 or SB 819 (regarding Abbreviated School Day Program Placements for students with disabilities), contact: 

Patti Vickers (she/her)
District Support Specialist for SB 819 and Section 504
Office of the Director
Email: patricia.vickers@ode.oregon.gov
Phone: 971-208-0275


The Oregon Department of Education is an equal opportunity educator and employer.



  • Civil Rights Title IX

    State and federal laws prohibit discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. Schools have an obligation to protect students, teachers, staff and other people within the school community. Schools also have an obligation to ensure that its programs and curriculum are free of bias and prejudice.

  • Section 504 and ADA

    Federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on disability.

  • CTE Civil Rights

    A primary responsibility of the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is the review of career and technical education programs for compliance with federal nondiscrimination regulations.

  • Child Nutrition Programs Civil Rights

    Comprehensive resources for program sponsors, parents and participants. Training, forms and complaint information for federal civil rights protections.

  • Overview of the Laws

    This page provides links to federal laws as well as Oregon laws (ORS) and rules (OAR) related to civil rights.

  • Filing a Complaint

    Information on filing complaints of discrimination or harassment.

  • Resources

    Links to national resources related to civil rights and equal opportunity, and from Oregon and Washington.

  • Teaching the Civil Rights Movement

    This page offers a wealth of materials to support rich instruction about the Civil Rights Movement, both from national and Oregon perspectives.