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Pinellas schools face federal civil rights review

Pinellas County Schools are under the federal microscope.

<p>The federal government is investigating whether students at all schools have access to the same quality of education. WTSP photo</p>

Pinellas County Schools are under the federal microscope. The U.S. Department of Education is now investigating if the district has been discriminating against its African-American students.

“If they are discriminating against them, that sucks give them all a fair chance,” says mother Annquanette Holley.

The civil rights review will uncover if minority students have the same access to a quality education and teachers as other kids.

The Department of Education tells 10News WTSP:

“Office for Civil Rights (OCR) initiated a compliance review of Pinellas County Schools in Florida. This compliance review will examine whether the district discriminates against black students with respect to providing access to courses, programs, and extracurricular activities, including access to foundation courses that are essential to prepare students to take rigorous courses in high school and to provide them with the skills necessary for success in college and/or career. In addition, OCR will examine whether the District discriminates against black students with respect to providing access to effective and qualified teachers, leaders, and support staff.”

It's the latest in the district's problems with so called "Failure Factories," five schools resegregated and ranking among the worst in the state: Campbell Park, Fairmount Park, Lakewood, Maximo and Melrose elementary schools.

The federal findings could prompt changes that some say are long overdue.

“It’s about time,” says Holley, who has three kids attending Melrose Elementary School and believes the district has been letting down her and her kids.

She hopes the Department of Education's investigation will help turn it and other schools around by determining if the district is denying minority kids access to programs and quality teachers they need to succeed.

“They deserve it. They're smart and they need to be on a level that challenges them,” says Holley.

Holley’s son, fifth-grade student Zyeire Mack, says despite his low-scoring school he has high hopes of what he’ll become. “Be a chef, or a lawyer, or doctor, you have to get your grades up and be smart.”

“It doesn't make sense why this particular side of town, or this particular city, has better learning this way or higher grades that way versus over here. It doesn't make sense,” says Holley.

Congresswoman Kathy Castor called for the federal review of the crisis in the schools last summer.

She just received this letter announcing the Education Department's investigation:

Click here to read Castor’s letter

Castor hopes it will answer questions why promises weren’t kept to kids in South St. Pete.“The Office of Civil Rights is right to press for answers. Every student deserves an equal opportunity to a good education no matter their ZIP code or neighborhood."

“I do believe they will find areas we can be better,” says Pinellas County School Board Member Rene Flowers.

Flowers insists the district will embrace any potential federal recommendations. “I don't believe they will see willful, it would have to be willful misconduct or willful discrimination. It's our job as a public school system to provide those services and provide those children the things they need in order to get a quality education. We’re all here to figure out what we need to do and to do it."

The Department of Education tells 10News that if it finds problems that aren't fixed by the district, the agency can take away federal funding or refer it to the Department of Justice to investigate.

The school district tells 10News that it's still reviewing the Education Department's notice. The district says it has seen some success in the low performing schools, since launching improvement initiatives in 2014.

The Department of Education says:

“OCR does not have a timeline or estimated date of completion of the investigation at the Pinellas County School District. The length of time that it takes to resolve a case depends on a number of factors, including the number and complexity of the issues. Many of OCR’s cases involve complex legal issues and are very fact-intensive. OCR's goal is to ensure all investigations are conducted in a thorough, consistent manner as quickly as possible. To do this, OCR must examine all relevant facts, data and other information before making a compliance determination of the civil rights laws it enforces.”

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